12 Ways to Avoid Equipment Obsolescence
To help businesses stay ahead of the curve and avoid equipment obsolescence, we gathered insights from founders, CEOs, and other industry professionals. From proactively assessing your tech to establishing supportive supplier relationships, discover 12 expert tips on how to keep your business equipment up-to-date and efficient.
- Proactively Assess Technology
- Consider Long-term Value and Functionality
- Emphasize Maintenance Strategies
- Utilize Modular Equipment Designs
- Gather Team Feedback Regularly
- Invest in Quality and Research
- Implement Equipment Lifecycle Management
- Adopt a Leasing Strategy
- Sell Outdated Equipment
- Prioritize Employee Training
- Buy Refurbished ICT Hardware
- Establish Supplier Support Relationships
Proactively Assess Technology
One way for a business to avoid equipment obsolescence is by adopting a proactive approach to technology assessment and planning. This involves staying informed about emerging technologies, industry trends, and the anticipated lifespan of the equipment.
Regularly evaluating the efficiency, functionality, and compatibility of existing equipment allows businesses to identify potential risks of obsolescence and plan for necessary upgrades or replacements in a timely manner.
By investing in scalable and adaptable equipment solutions, businesses can future-proof their operations, minimize the risk of obsolescence, and maintain a competitive edge in the ever-evolving market.
Viraj Lele
Industrial Engineer, DHL Supply Chain
Consider Long-term Value and Functionality
Instead of following the latest trends and purchasing equipment solely based on their popularity, it’s important to consider the long-term value and functionality. Look for equipment that can be upgraded or integrated with new technologies as they emerge, ensuring its longevity and ability to adapt to changing business needs.
By staying ahead of the trends and making strategic equipment investments, businesses can avoid the risk of obsolescence and maintain a competitive edge in the market.
Diane Howard
Founder, Esthetic Finesse
Emphasize Maintenance Strategies
I believe that putting in place a thorough maintenance strategy is crucial for maximizing equipment longevity and reducing obsolescence. Inspections, cleaning, and preventative maintenance on a regular basis can help discover and address potential problems before they become problematic.
Furthermore, companies should consider whether replacing components or software to improve equipment performance and compatibility with new technologies is feasible. Parts upgrades, software patches, and the integration of modular systems can significantly extend the usable life of equipment, lowering the risk of obsolescence.
Timothy Allen
Sr. Corporate Investigator
Corporate Investigation Consulting
Utilize Modular Equipment Designs
One effective way for a business to avoid equipment obsolescence is by utilizing modular equipment designs. Modular equipment allows individual components to be replaced or upgraded, instead of changing the entire system.
This makes it possible to keep up with technological advancements, maintain operational efficiency, and control costs, as you can simply update the necessary parts rather than replace the whole piece of equipment.
Will Gill
Event Entertainer, DJ Will Gill
Gather Team Feedback Regularly
We conduct quarterly surveys with our entire team. Included is always a question about the company equipment. The survey is useful to get a barometer of where things are at.
If our scores are below 4 average on a 5 scale, then we start talking to team members individually. Since this question is not personal or relational, it’s rarely something that people feel uncomfortable talking about, and therefore does not need to be fully anonymous.
Trevor Ewen
COO, QBench
Invest in Quality and Research
One way for a business to avoid equipment obsolescence is to invest in high-quality, durable equipment and components that are designed to last. Additionally, businesses should research the expected lifecycle of the products they use and plan accordingly for any future upgrades or replacements.
Finally, businesses should stay up-to-date on technological advancements and new product innovations that could help them extend the life of their equipment and keep up with industry standards.
Gabriel Bogner
Co-founder, Mate Fertility
Implement Equipment Lifecycle Management
To steer clear of equipment obsolescence, businesses can adopt an innovative strategy called Equipment Lifecycle Management (ELM). ELM involves comprehensive planning and regular assessments to ensure equipment remains up-to-date and relevant throughout its lifespan.
By conducting proactive monitoring and analysis, businesses can identify potential bottlenecks or outdated technology in their equipment. This enables them to make informed decisions about upgrades, maintenance, or replacements before obsolescence sets in. Research suggests that implementing ELM can extend the useful life of equipment by 30% and reduce downtime by up to 45%.
Himanshu Sharma
CEO and Founder, Academy of Digital Marketing
Adopt a Leasing Strategy
One effective way to avoid equipment obsolescence is by implementing a leasing strategy. Instead of buying equipment outright, businesses can lease it. This allows you to continually update your equipment as newer technology becomes available without making large upfront investments.
Regularly updating or replacing equipment through leasing can keep the business at the forefront of technology, increase efficiency, and prevent the drawbacks of equipment obsolescence.
Vikrant Shaurya
CEO, Authors On Mission
Sell Outdated Equipment
Equipment obsolescence happens gradually as technology advances, making newer and more efficient equipment available. This allows businesses to dispose of outdated equipment and recover some value from it before it becomes worthless.
In the automotive industry, it is common for large vehicle repair companies to sell their used equipment to smaller businesses or hobbyists who require it for less demanding tasks.
This practice saves money for larger companies while providing an affordable option for those who do not need new equipment. The key is to monitor industry trends and technological advancements to identify when equipment is becoming obsolete. By doing so, businesses can stay ahead of the curve and take proactive steps to minimize the impact of obsolescence on their operations.
Nick Rivadeneira
Founder, Racebuilds
Prioritize Employee Training
Investing in employee training and education, in my opinion, is critical for properly leveraging equipment and keeping up with technological changes. Businesses can maximize the use of their equipment, find chances for improvement, and optimize processes by regularly updating the skills and knowledge of their employees.
Employees who have been properly trained can also provide valuable feedback on equipment performance and suggest upgrades or adjustments that can extend its lifespan. Furthermore, building an organizational culture of innovation and learning motivates employees to stay current on industry trends and actively participate in equipment-related decision-making processes.
Tiffany Hafler
Marketing Manager
FORTIS Medical Billing
Buy Refurbished ICT Hardware
Buying refurbished ICT hardware is a great way to avoid equipment obsolescence. For example, used telecommunication equipment is often a fraction of the cost of new equipment, and with careful maintenance and repairs, you can greatly extend the useful life of your existing telecom infrastructure.
Professionally refurbished items can often appear no differently than new kit and are often provided with more advanced firmware than they were when originally sold as new. Second-user ICT hardware also gives businesses a great way to stay current with technological advancements without sacrificing their budget and reducing their impact on the environment.
Ricci Masero
Marketing Manager, Intellek
Establish Supplier Support Relationships
Establish strong relationships with suppliers or manufacturers who offer long-term support services like technical advice, repair parts availability, etc.
This helps minimize disruptions and downtime during an issue or equipment breakdown. It can also reduce any unexpected expenses involved during repairs/replacements due to increased supplier accountability and responsiveness throughout the entire duration of ownership of each piece of equipment bought from them, thus reducing chances for obsolescence considerably.
David Bui
Director and Automotive and Business Specialist, Schmicko
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