Current Filter: Network>>>>>Opinion>

   

A circular economy, where repair, recycling and re-use underpin established practice can produce enhanced profitability, a more buoyant economy and a better environment - even in the most equipment intensive environments like networking. As we move out of recession, it couldn't be a better time to consider change.

For all businesses wishing to utilise their resources more fully they must consider the repair, recycling and re-use of equipment. The pace of innovation can mean that technology becomes a primary cause of waste. When you consider that a lot of older equipment functions perfectly well, even if it requires a simple repair, the rip-and-replace attitude towards IT has many failings - and this is before you take account of the valuable rare earth metals at stake. It's critical that businesses start taking steps to establish a more responsible economy that extends equipment life when provisioning their networks. Without this, they will inflict an adverse effect on their finances and the national economy and the environment will suffer too.

ALL THINGS NEW AND SHINY
The challenge within current UK culture is that buying something new has become synonymous with buying something better. This isn't always the case though, and indeed a newer version may not be required, but it is an established myth pedalled by manufacturers. In an effort to meet their margins and push out new products, a rip-and-replace attitude is encouraged and businesses can feel that they have no choice.

This is particularly the case when the manufacturers of the original product no longer exist. Many companies were filled with fear when vendors like Nortel and Sorrento Networks became insolvent, believing that their network infrastructure could no longer be supported. Repair doesn't have to be limited to the manufacturer. There are many reputable companies with the knowledge and expertise in current and legacy products that can help to keep infrastructures operating long into the future.

In most cases, faulty networking equipment such as routers and modems can be repaired, returning the equipment to full service. Based on our experience, and where repair has taken place, we have seen products last up to four times the manufacturer’s predicted lifespan. This clearly demonstrates the sheer waste of mindless and routine hardware replacement.

There will of course be a time when that old faithful server does give up and it's important to plan for this: panic replacements are best avoided. When it does happen obsolete equipment will contain components of value and it is essential to work with a partner that can extract, re-use and recycle them. Another genuine concern centres on suppliers that cease trading, relating to arrangements for support, repairs and spare parts. Again, there are independent suppliers who make it their business to store such parts, along with the expertise in how to use them.

A CIRCULAR MINDSET
Taking steps towards a circular economy by re-using, recycling and repairing equipment - particularly in equipment intensive environments such as networking - benefits not just the business but the economy and the environment as well. For the business, it can delay a costly investment, save money and help a business to grow. For the economy, more successful businesses will aid its healthy expansion, prosperity and innovation.

Finally, the environment has a huge amount to gain from a circular economy. The toxic fumes and non-biodegradable equipment that is dumped in landfill, or worse, illegally dumped in third world countries, is causing irreversible damage. There has to be a change in mindset that prevents this equipment from prematurely being taken out of service and getting into landfills in the first place. Creating a circular hardware economy is vital to all aspects of our future. NC