Tech as a Service
Technology is growing, and so is your business.
We’re always looking to improve the way we do things, that’s why we keep on top of the latest advances in technology so that we can provide the most up-to-date hardware and software to our partners.
TaaS
What is ‘Tech as a Service’
Tech as a Service allows you to keep your technology completely up to date through a hired subscription plan.
We source the right technology, at the lowest price, and remain adaptable and agile for the changes coming tomorrow.
We understand technology is an investment, therefore we offer several finance options, allowing you to save up to 30% of the total cost of ownership of hardware and software. Tech-as-a-Service provides a method of spreading payments thereby offering greater cash flow within your organisation. Plus spread your VAT payment over the term and pay it on a smaller amount.
It gives you the ability to have a better standard of equipment and the option to change it more frequently. Simple and flexible, it offers businesses that need to adapt and change, the versatility they need for their hardware and software to change too.
Reduced cost of ownership
Flexible payment plan
Versatile packages
Better equipment
End of subscription flexibility
Life-cycle of your Devices
With a reliance on technology more so now than ever before, typical equipment life-cycles are 3-5 years depending on usage and user requirements. We can supply, configure and install desktops, laptops (including accessories & peripherals), servers, network infrastructure and cloud solutions through our dedicated in-house team of Project and Field Service Engineers.
Our pre-sales consultancy and planning expertise offers valuable guidance and advice before making any changes. Understanding your requirements, challenges and expectations so that any changes are tailored to ensuring you achieve what you need now, as well as plan for the future so you get the best device longevity for the users role and the business.
Working with some of the world’s leading technology providers including Microsoft, Sage, Trend Micro, SentinelOne, Dell, Ubiquiti, SonicWall, Palo Alto and more, we are at the forefront of developments and trends in IT hardware & software.
Device Care
We appreciate that even though our clients may use their best efforts to maintain leased equipment, normal wear and tear does occur. Detailed below is what we consider to be “normal wear and tear”.
Normal ‘Wear & Tear’
• Faded lettering on keyboards, slight plastic colour fading
• Minor surface scratches on plastics or metal base
• Faded manufacturer’s logo
• Removable client asset tag labels and stickers
Equipment Function
• Missing/Damaged Hard Drive: Occurs when hard drive is missing, inoperable or has any portion of damaged sectors or drive is smaller than original specification
• Missing/Damaged Memory: Missing, damaged, non-functioning memory or memory is incompatible with model specifications or memory denomination is below what was present at leasing
• System Failed to Boot: Machine returned an error indicating system board failure, Power-On Self-Test (POST) failure and defective system board
Unacceptable Damage or Condition
• Removal of OEM serial number identification, FCC product tags, or Microsoft COA
• Security, Anti-Theft Marking, for example stamped, scored or burnt markings into the case
• BIOS / Admin passwords not removed from machine, locking processor/hard drive
• Cracked and/or chipped plastics, bent metal frames
• Broken and/or missing hinges and latch catches
• Scratched monitor glass and/or LCD panels, LCD cracked beyond repair
• Character burns in monitors or LCD panels
• Missing keycaps from keyboards, missing or damaged keys on a laptop or portable
• Broken and/or missing panels, cover plates or media doors
• Batteries that do not hold an electrical charge for more than 30 minutes
• Major equipment discoloration or dirt requiring more than light cleaning for resale / reuse
• Toner and/or ink spillage
• Extensive physical damage that prevents the system from being remarketed / reused
End of Subscription
A subscription still gives you choices, at the end of the programme you can choose to return equipment (ideally get new), keep equipment longer or even purchase it, so you are not losing the control.
As best practice, end-of-lease planning should begin at least six months prior to your contracted end of lease date. Although this may seem a long period of time, there are often several factors to consider, such as your organisation’s future technology requirements, financial drivers and operational needs.
End of Lease Notice
We will contact you four to five months before the end of each lease schedule and will provide an electronic copy of the original lease schedule which will detail the assets which are due for return.
We will require you to provide at least 90 days written notification if you intend to either extend the lease or return assets to us.
End of Lease Options
When equipment is nearing the end of lease date you have a few options to consider:
Return the equipment, either all the equipment or a partial return of assets or Extend the lease term, either all the equipment or a selection of assets
If you are not able to decide and require additional time to make your choice you can continue using the equipment informally by continuing to pay the quarterly lease rentals.
Please be aware that if end-of-lease equipment is not delivered and received by end of lease date specified on the lease schedule, rentals will continue to be charged
Returning End of Lease Equipment
You are responsible for returning the leased assets to us unless you have chosen to purchase our End of Lease Asset Collection Service. This responsibility includes packing, shipping and secure transportation to one of our nominated processing centres.
Preparing to Return Your Lease Equipment
If you decide to return any or all items to us using your own resources, please ensure that the equipment arrives at our end of lease processing facilities and that is has been suitability packaged to avoid damage while in transit. We would suggest:
• Use strong, good quality boxes – ideally re-use packaging from replacement equipment
• If necessary reinforce box bottoms, sides and tops with packing tape
• Allow sufficient space for the item(s) to be protected from impact and movement with packing material
• Remember to include associated peripheral devices (i.e. AC Adapter with laptops etc.)
• Pack all power cables with the relevant item
• Ink and toners should be removed from all printers and packed separately with the printer
• Check drives and carry case compartments to ensure that no media items such as USB, CD, DVD drives or documents remain
• For individual monitors line the box with layers of bubble wrap and wrap the monitor and insert screen side up then fully fill each box with impact resistant packing material, to minimise movement during transit
• Use packing tape to seal the box securely at seams and edges
End of Lease Asset Collection Service
Our End of Lease Asset Collection Service provides an end-to-end, all encompassing solution that includes packing, loading, logistics and secure transportation to our end of life processing centres throughout the UK.
Benefits of our End of Lease Asset Collection Services
• Cost effective charging for volume returns
• All packing materials and resources are included with each collection
• GPS tracked secure collection with security-cleared personnel
• Frees your own resources so employees can focus on day-to-day activities
Once the equipment for return has been agreed, we will organise the collection on your behalf.
To ensure that the collection runs efficiently and smoothly we have a few simple guidelines:
• Assets should be disconnected from power and any network points and in one storage area with sufficient space to allow packaging or palletising and clear access to a vehicle loading area
• Where a site survey is required the charge will be passed to the client
• Collections are only available from the UK mainland
• Cancellation notice must be received no later than 48 hours prior to the collection date otherwise 100% of the charges will be passed on to the client
• The scheme only covers operating hours of 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, excluding Bank Holidays
• Collections cancelled due to insufficient information conducive to a successful collection (requirements for specialist equipment, vehicle access, site operating hours, excessive quantities, etc.) will be charged to the client
• A minimum of five working days’ notice must be given
Frequently asked questions
What happens if I cannot locate a system?
Contact us in the first instance to discuss the options available to you.
Who is responsible for returning equipment at end of lease and delivery costs?
You are responsible. If you decide not to use our collection service we also recommend that you insure assets in-transit in case of accident, damage or theft. Many of our clients take advantage of our optional collection service – please contact us for details.
What if items are missing?
You will be invoiced for the fair market value for any items damaged or not returned at end-of-lease.
Do I need to erase system data prior to return?
Yes, we would suggest that you remove all data from data bearing assets prior to returning them. We can do this for you but you will need to allow extra time before the proposed return date for us to complete this work.
However, as a secondary precaution the funder will also purge all data from media bearing devices to HMG Infosec Standard 5 and will provide certificates and detailed reporting after processing.
