Purchase and rental of computer equipment: how to best manage?

What do we mean by IT procurement?

This is the process to:

• Optimizing supply flows computer science;
• Acquire new computer hardware;
• Manage your computer equipment in an optimized way.

‍

Since IT plays a central role in most businesses today, IT procurement is also just as crucial to improving your performance and limiting the risks and dangers associated with this process.

‍

‍

Why is IT procurement important?

The benefits of procurement for your business

First, let's focus our attention on why you should invest in structuring your IT procurement.

‍

This brings you a number of benefits, including:

• Productivity gains : more efficient computers save time for employees, who can do more work for the same amount of time;

• Quality improvement : up-to-date computers make it possible to install all the necessary applications on them, thus to be able to carry out more qualitative and more advanced work;

• Cost reduction : procurement focuses on buying the best equipment at the best prices. Negotiating the prices of your computer equipment generates a direct benefit for the financial performance of your company;

• Achieving savings : by managing your inventory and your computer equipment well, you ensure that you do not find yourself in a situation of overstock of computer equipment (however, any fixed stock represents a financial cost, potentially significant depending on the volume of your stock).

‍

The 4 key stages of IT procurement

Now let's look at the main steps to set up and optimize your IT procurement.

The Sourcing, first of all, consists in identifying and selecting the best suppliers, then in Negotiate the prices and the overall conditions of the service.

Procurement also involves plan the necessary supplies, in quantity, in quality and in terms of delivery times.

It is also about manage administrative and practical aspects (order forms, methods of receiving goods, choice of contact persons, etc.).

Finally, the equipment configuration is also an essential step in the process, in order to provide turnkey tools to your teams.

Rzilient takes care of this configuration, for example via our solution Zero Touch via Apple Business Manager.

‍

How does Rzilient facilitate your computer orders?

With a delivery time of only 10 days, our platform allows you to order your equipment, from a vast catalog of referenced suppliers.

Then we take care of the configuring your machines, to ensure a complete service.

Calculate the cost of your inventory and your computer equipment

IT procurement is also interested in the stock of computer hardware available in your company.

The question is important because A stock costs money!

Any equipment that is immobilized in stock is not productive, by definition.

Instead, it is in your best interest to place the fixed cash in the form of inventory, or use it to finance the development of your business (marketing, R&D,

business development, etc.), so that this money “works” for you!

‍

The difficulties associated with IT procurement

Among the difficulties of the IT procurement process, first of all, its level of complexity. Numerous steps are involved in the

process, involving service providers, often based abroad...

‍

Increasing difficulties in sourcing computer hardware

The successive crises of recent years (Covid-19 pandemic, crisis in the supply of raw materials, war in Ukraine, geopolitical tensions,

etc.) carried a major blow to IT and electronic equipment supply chains.

This results in longer production and delivery times, which are a source of problems of reactivity in the process.

Automation, a growing challenge for the procurement function

61% of decision makers plan to partially automate their warehouses by 2024!

‍

The constant appearance of new hardware

Another problem frequently encountered by our customers: a form of “headlong rush” when it comes to updating computer hardware and software.

Manufacturers compete in fierce competition to offer new products on a regular basis, often without much real contribution compared to

previous generations.

Businesses must therefore assess their real needs well and do not give in to temptation (or at the request of employees) to systematically obtain the

latest news, as soon as they are put on the market.

We can also mention here the risk of the planned obsolescence of certain computer products and software, undermining long-term planning.

‍

The financial impact of IT procurement

Another difficulty lies in the simple fact that IT hardware procurement is expensive, quite simply.

Many companies are in financial difficulties, caused by the economic and inflationary crisis that is shaking Europe, and must therefore monitor closely

their expenses.

‍

And if you chose the leasing for your computer equipment ?

Increasing environmental challenges

Finally, IT procurement must do its part to protect the planet.

‍

Producing a smartphone pollutes!

85 kg of CO2 are issued to produce a smartphone, on average.

Around the world 4 times : it is the logistics circuit of the smartphone between the start of its production and the arrival in your company.

Rare metals, plastics, glass... A smartphone is composed of more than 60 materials different.

And remember that 75% of French people own a smartphone.

‍

In an approach of Green IT, consisting in reducing the environmental and social impact of your computer equipment, prioritizing refurbished equipment and use more

For a long time, the latter constitute two simple actions to carry out. In addition, they are good for your cash flow!

Note: it is not always possible to buy refurbished ones, so Rzilient also offers the supply of new computer equipment.

Solutions to optimize your IT supply

How can you optimize your IT supply?

One of the key solutions is to Automate the entire process as much as possible. This prevents stockouts and saves you time

significant, reduces the risk of errors and oversights and simplifies overall decision-making.

It is also useful to be able to rely on a panel of suppliers, rather than being dependent on a single partner.

This is what Rzilient offers, using its catalogs, referencing our various suppliers, selected for their professionalism and the quality of their offer.

Finally, to properly manage a process as complex as IT procurement, it is crucial to equip yourself with a tool dedicated to the management of computer equipment.

‍

‍

‍