Hardware

Maximize Device ROI Through Lifecycle Management

Federal agencies that take a strategic approach to device lifecycle management get more bang for their IT buck.

Jeremy Mentzell is a Senior Solutions Architect at CDW.

Believe it or not, end-user devices rushed to federal workers at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic to enable remote work are more than 3 years old and may need to be replaced. Agencies that used device lifecycle management to monitor these devices are in a good position to boost their return on those investments; adopting the practice can make life easier for IT departments in general and improve an agency’s ROI. Here’s how it works:

Refresh Devices Regularly to Save Time and Money

Consider the risks agencies face if they try to stretch the lifecycle of smartphones, tablets and laptops out to four, five or even six years. When an old device fails, repair can take IT workers’ time and attention away from more critical projects. By being cautious with device refreshes (for instance, aligning replacement with the manufacturer’s warranty expiration), agencies will often save money and improve productivity over the long term.

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Monitor Device Capacity to Better Allocate Resources

Tracking how much capacity is used on devices over time can help agencies better shepherd their resources. Through device monitoring, IT leaders might discover that certain users can get by without premium devices, allowing the organization to choose less expensive alternatives. Or, they might find that some users are pushing their devices to the limit and need an upgrade to stay productive.

Minimize Downtime to Increase Productivity

The goal of any device maintenance program should be to minimize device downtime and get users back up and running as quickly as possible. This requires a strategy for how many backup devices and spare parts to keep on hand. Some organizations strive to be able to replace up to 25 percent of their device fleet all at once, if needed. Other organizations may lack the resources for this level of readiness, but it’s important for IT leaders to think through ways to prevent downtime in a cost-effective manner.

Develop a Retirement Strategy to Stay on Track

When new devices roll out, their retirement is the last thing on people’s minds. However, agencies should have a retirement strategy for devices even before they are deployed. Without a plan in place (and someone assigned to execute it), agencies often delay retirement decisions. This can mean the difference between letting devices molder in storage or reselling them for a extra bump in ROI.

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