• About Us
  • Partnership Opportunities
  • Privacy Policy

Data Center Frontier

Charting the future of data centers and cloud computing.

  • Cloud
    • Hyperscale
  • Colo
    • Site Selection
    • Interconnection
  • Energy
    • Sustainability
  • Cooling
  • Technology
    • Internet of Things
    • AI & Machine Learning
    • Edge Computing
    • Virtual Reality
    • Autonomous Cars
    • 5G Wireless
    • Satellites
  • Design
    • Servers
    • Storage
    • Network
  • Voices
  • Podcast
  • White Papers
  • Resources
    • COVID-19
    • Events
    • Newsletter
    • Companies
    • Data Center 101
  • Jobs
You are here: Home / Voices of the Industry / Overcoming Supply Chain Roadblocks: How to Avoid Disruptions in Your Data Center

Overcoming Supply Chain Roadblocks: How to Avoid Disruptions in Your Data Center

By Voices of the Industry - May 20, 2022 Leave a Comment

Overcoming Supply Chain Roadblocks: How to Avoid Disruptions in Your Data Center

IT professionals are turning to the secondary market for the systems they need. (Source: iStock, courtesy of Service Express)

LinkedinTwitterFacebookSubscribe
Mail

In this edition of Voices of the Industry, Brett Williams, Hardware Sales Manager at Service Express, explores the importance of leveraging the secondary hardware market to overcome supply chain roadblocks.

supply chain

Brett Williams, Hardware Sales Manager at Service Express

The data center industry continues to experience significant global supply chain problems. In fact, any industry that relies on semiconductors has been restricted since the start of 2021. Between semiconductor shortages and unprecedented logistical challenges, delayed lead times for original equipment manufacturer (OEM) data center systems have become the norm.

To rectify the situation, manufacturers are increasing semiconductor chip production. However, due to the complexity and expense of their production process, the semiconductor shortage won’t be resolved soon. As a result of the scarcity, many OEMs have reported extended lead times from six months to several years.

Instead of waiting for OEM-new systems, IT professionals are turning to the secondary market for the systems they need. Companies are learning that leveraging recertified and refurbished equipment drastically decreases lead times — turning months or even years into just weeks while offering significant cost savings.

What terms should you know when considering secondary market hardware?

Although “secondary market” may sound ominous, it’s a reliable source to find and configure custom-built data center systems. Third-party maintenance (TPM) and hardware providers proactively purchase systems companies no longer use through services such as IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) and other buyback programs. In addition to acquiring equipment through these programs, hardware providers source systems through a large vendor network that can be purchased at wholesale costs.

As you widen your search, it’s helpful to understand the following commonly used terms.

OEM new: New hardware that has never left the OEM facility and is sold directly by the OEM.

Recertified: Unused hardware that has left the OEM facility. Even though the hardware has yet to be used, it can no longer be labeled “new” due to leaving the OEM facility. This hardware goes through a recertification process at the OEM factory level and becomes available for purchase to resellers and wholesalers at a discounted rate.

Refurbished: Lightly used hardware that has been rigorously tested, reconfigured, and updated before being sold. On average, refurbished hardware is only one to three years old – allowing customers to purchase reliable, reconfigured, and custom-built systems without the extended lead times.

What should you look for in a TPM or hardware provider?

Transparent testing process

A reputable provider should be transparent about its testing process. When considering your equipment options, make sure to inquire about their testing process. At Service Express, our team completes various quality tests that include the following steps:

  1. Visual inspection
  2. Wipe all data to NIST800.88 standards
  3. Clear any existing user configurations
  4. Diagnose and run quality checks
  5. Update firmware to the latest supported revisions (if needed)
Stand behind their hardware quality and reliability

Not all hardware vendors provide maintenance to customers. That’s why I recommend working with a company that also provides data center maintenance. This way, the company stands behind the quality of its systems since they are providing support.

Work to meet your needs with consultative support

Not every system is one-size-fits-all. Working with a provider that comes alongside you to create a custom-built solution is critical. This grants the flexibility to create a system to the exact specifications and requirements to meet your data center needs.

Say goodbye to delayed lead times and delivery dates

You may think not purchasing hardware directly from the OEM is risky business. The reality is there are alternative options for custom-built systems than you may think. If you need updated equipment, fast, working with a TPM or hardware provider might be the right solution to meet timeline and budget demands.

Brett Williams is the Hardware Sales Manager at Service Express. Service Express is a data center solutions provider specializing in global multivendor maintenance, cloud, managed services, hardware solutions and more. Learn more about how Service Express can help your data center overcome supply chain roadblocks.

LinkedinTwitterFacebookSubscribe
Mail

Tagged With: data center maintenance, hardware, Service Express

Newsletters

Stay informed: Get our weekly updates!

Are you a new reader? Follow Data Center Frontier on Twitter or Facebook.
voices@richmiller.biz'

About Voices of the Industry

Our Voice of the Industry feature showcases guest articles on thought leadership from sponsors of Data Center Frontier. For more information, see our Voices of the Industry description and guidelines..

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Voices of the Industry

Mitigate Risk, Improve Performance and Decrease Operating Expenses through Data Center Self-Performance

Mitigate Risk, Improve Performance and Decrease Operating Expenses through Data Center Self-Performance If a vendor conducts the actual work in your data center, then you or your operator aren’t maximizing your current operating resources and are experiencing incremental cost and risk. Chad Giddings of BCS Data Center Operations, explains the importance of your data center provider having a high-degree of self-performance.

White Papers

sustainability

Sustainable Power Generation: Kohler’s Pursuit of Clean Energy Solutions

Driven in part by new regulations, customer demand, and internal stakeholders, a growing number of organizations are recognizing that they have a role to play in mitigating the climate crisis. Kohler examines how sustainable power generation can help balance the need for emergency power with the climate emergency.

Get this PDF emailed to you.

We always respect your privacy and we never sell or rent our list to third parties. By downloading this White Paper you are agreeing to our terms of service. You can opt out at any time.

DCF Spotlight

Data center modules on display at the recent Edge Congress conference in Austin, Texas. (Photo: Rich Miller)

Edge Computing is Poised to Remake the Data Center Landscape

Data center leaders are investing in edge computing and edge solutions and actively looking at new ways to deploy edge capacity to support evolving business and user requirements.

An aerial view of major facilities in Data Center Alley in Ashburn, Virginia. (Image: Loudoun County)

Northern Virginia Data Center Market: The Focal Point for Cloud Growth

The Northern Virginia data center market is seeing a surge in supply and an even bigger surge in demand. Data Center Frontier explores trends, stats and future expectations for the No. 1 data center market in the country.

See More Spotlight Features

Newsletters

Get the Latest News from Data Center Frontier

Job Listings

RSS Job Openings | Pkaza Critical Facilities Recruiting

  • Electrical Commissioning Engineer - Los Angeles, CA
  • Data Center Construction Project Manager - Ashburn, VA
  • Critical Power Energy Manager - Data Center Development - Dallas, TX
  • Data Center Facilities Operations VP - Seattle, WA
  • Senior Electrical Engineer - Data Center - Dallas, TX

See More Jobs

Data Center 101

Data Center 101: Mastering the Basics of the Data Center Industry

Data Center 101: Mastering the Basics of the Data Center Industry

Data Center Frontier, in partnership with Open Spectrum, brings our readers a series that provides an introductory guidebook to the ins and outs of the data center and colocation industry. Think power systems, cooling, solutions, data center contracts and more. The Data Center 101 Special Report series is directed to those new to the industry, or those of our readers who need to brush up on the basics.

  • Data Center Power
  • Data Center Cooling
  • Strategies for Data Center Location
  • Data Center Pricing Negotiating
  • Cloud Computing

See More Data center 101 Topics

About Us

Charting the future of data centers and cloud computing. We write about what’s next for the Internet, and the innovations that will take us there. We tell the story of the digital economy through the data center facilities that power cloud computing and the people who build them. Read more ...
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

About Our Founder

Data Center Frontier is edited by Rich Miller, the data center industry’s most experienced journalist. For more than 20 years, Rich has profiled the key role played by data centers in the Internet revolution. Meet the DCF team.

TOPICS

  • 5G Wireless
  • Cloud
  • Colo
  • Connected Cars
  • Cooling
  • Cornerstone
  • Coronavirus
  • Design
  • Edge Computing
  • Energy
  • Executive Roundtable
  • Featured
  • Finance
  • Hyperscale
  • Interconnection
  • Internet of Things
  • Machine Learning
  • Network
  • Podcast
  • Servers
  • Site Selection
  • Social Business
  • Special Reports
  • Storage
  • Sustainability
  • Videos
  • Virtual Reality
  • Voices of the Industry
  • Webinar
  • White Paper

Copyright Endeavor Business Media© 2022