From maintaining the current hardware to foreseeing the future technology needs of the company, IT managers have a lot on their plates.
But before IT manages anything, their workforce needs devices. The first challenge for IT that often arises is fulfilling hardware requirements—especially laptops—for new hires, projects, or upgrades. This is where business laptop rentals become an increasingly viable option.
While many are generally familiar with the benefits of outsourcing, this approach has several less-known advantages. This blog aims to shed light on these hidden benefits.
1. Lower TCO
When a company opts for leasing, there are notable hidden cost savings beyond the hardware itself. For starters, leasing alleviates much of the burden from in-house IT teams by outsourcing maintenance, updates, and troubleshooting, reducing labor costs.
This model also offers scalability, allowing businesses to adapt to growth or downsizing without large capital expenditures and instead through manageable subscription or leasing fees.
Moreover, the consistent hardware refreshes in the rental model ensure that employees are equipped with the latest technology and eliminate costs associated with asset depreciation incurred when a company owns its computer equipment.
Rental providers often bundle their offerings, integrating hardware with essential software licenses and some offer training. This all-inclusive approach ensures that all devices are up-to-date and compliant and can streamline IT operations, leading to further savings.
For IT, the rental model isn't just a tech solution; it's a strategic move that can yield significant financial benefits, from improved budgeting flexibility to a reduced total cost of ownership for hardware.
2. Worry-Free Logistics & Supply Chain
Simplified Logistics
Coordinating laptop delivery, return, and maintenance can be a logistical challenge. Laptop rental companies have logistics experience. Their devices come with simplified logistics solutions, making it easier for remote teams or traveling executives to access the hardware they need when needed.
Hedge Against Supply Chain Disruptions
Supply chain disruptions are a real and often costly risk. These disruptions can delay the delivery of new laptops, leading to onboarding delays, project hold-ups, and potential revenue loss.
Business laptop rental companies hedge against such disruptions. Rental companies usually maintain a stockpile of devices, providing a buffer to help you get the hardware you need, even when supply chains are compromised. For IT managers, this means greater reliability and assurance in delivering the necessary tools to keep business operations running smoothly, regardless of external factors.
Short Lead Times
One of the most underrated benefits of business laptop rentals is the short lead times required to get the necessary hardware. Unlike the traditional procurement process, which can drag on, rental companies usually have a stock of ready-to-use laptops that can be deployed almost immediately.
For IT managers, this means less time spent on procurement and more efficient onboarding of new employees, allowing them to focus on more strategic tasks.
Quick Scaling Based on Needs
IT managers often face the challenge of scaling hardware needs according to current projects and staff sizes. With laptop rentals, they can easily scale up or down without significant delays or administrative burdens.
Short-Term Rentals for Temporary Needs
Short-term laptop rentals are ideal for projects requiring additional staff temporarily or for temporary remote work scenarios. This eliminates the need to invest in hardware for temporary requirements, making operations more agile.
3. Hassle-free Maintenance And Repairs
No Need for In-House Maintenance
One of the often-overlooked advantages of renting laptops is that the rental company typically provides maintenance. For example, if the rental company can’t repair the device remotely, they will send a replacement (not a loaner) overnight. This reduces employee frustration and downtime and increases productivity.
Easy Access to Latest Technology
Maintaining up-to-date hardware can drain resources in a world where technology becomes obsolete quickly. Rental companies usually offer the latest models and can provide quick upgrades, ensuring your business always has access to modern technology.
4. Improved Compliance and Security
Onboarding and Offboarding
Look for corporate laptop rental companies that can provide pre-configured laptops to meet industry-specific regulations, ensuring new hires can access compliant systems immediately. This minimizes the risks associated with setting up secure and compliant systems manually.
The offboarding process is simplified as well. When an employee leaves, or a project concludes, the rented laptops can be easily returned to the rental company, where they undergo a secure data wipe to ensure no sensitive information is left behind. This closed-loop approach to hardware management makes compliance and security much more straightforward for IT managers.
Compliance with Regulations
You can work with your rental company to offer pre-configured devices to meet the regulatory standards of your industry. Whether in healthcare, finance, or another regulated sector, these laptops can come with the necessary firewalls, encryption protocols, and security features required to keep you in compliance.
This saves IT time and resources spent manually configuring each device. As regulations continuously evolve, rental companies often update their hardware and software configurations, ensuring you stay compliant without the headache of constant updates.
Enhanced Security Features
To protect against data breaches and cyber threats, many rental companies offer laptops with enhanced security features. These can include biometric authentication, advanced encryption, and pre-installed security software, giving IT managers one less thing to worry about. These security features can be worked out with your rental company so every device they provide adheres to your company’s enhanced security standards.
5. Easier Asset Management
Streamlined Inventory Tracking
Renting business laptops typically comes with a centralized management system that is installed in cooperation with a company’s IT staff. IT managers can save time and effort tracking each device's location, usage, or status. The rental provider often offers tools or platforms that keep a real-time tab on all assets, simplifying inventory management.
Simplified Hardware Lifecycle Management
One of the most time-consuming tasks for IT departments is managing the hardware lifecycle, from procurement to retirement. With business laptop rentals, the burden of ensuring devices are up-to-date, disposing of old devices responsibly, and recycling components is shifted to the rental provider. IT managers can then focus more on strategic tasks instead of these routine operations.
Predictable Maintenance Schedules
Rented laptops typically come with a set maintenance schedule the rental agency provides. This allows IT managers to plan, ensuring minimal disruptions to business operations. It also means fewer unexpected technical glitches to solve on the fly, as regular maintenance can prevent many common hardware issues.
Related Content: 5 Proven Ways To Reduce IT Costs
In Brief
While business laptop rentals aren't new, their advantages extend beyond the upfront cost savings. For IT managers, the hidden benefits include quick scalability, hassle-free maintenance and upgrades, compliance and security assurance, and simplified logistics and asset management.
As businesses evolve in an increasingly digital landscape, the need for agile and efficient hardware solutions will only grow. Therefore, it's time for IT managers to consider the strategic advantages of laptop rentals seriously.
