Picture this; It’s peak season and one of your key devices starts acting up.
Maybe someone dropped a tablet on the hard concrete. Maybe a barcode scanner got drenched with hot coffee. Or maybe your POS system has started freezing for no apparent reason.
Here’s the big question: should you try to fix the broken tech, or replace it altogether?
The answer hinges on several factors. In many cases, repairing a device is quicker and more cost-effective. Other times, a full replacement is the smarter long-term move.
To help make the right technology maintenance decisions, consider the following important factors:
1. The Hardware
If you’re dealing with one-off problems like cracked screens, broken ports or spent batteries, repair is often the best move. A total tech refresh is likely not necessary when most of your fleet is still in good condition.
But what if device failures are becoming more frequent? If more than 20 to 30 percent of your devices are failing, it’s time to consider upgrading to new equipment. It’s also worth examining what is causing these failures.
If you’re dealing with basic age-related problems, the upgrade path is simple. But if your equipment is breaking down earlier than expected, you may need to explore more rugged device options to get the most out of your next investment.
For businesses using proprietary or custom devices, replacing equipment can be more challenging. Parts may be hard to find; software may be tied to legacy systems and downtime costs can really add up in busy retail environments. In these cases, selective repairs may still be the right choice to extend the life of this custom gear.
2. The Software
Software problems come with their own set of challenges. Many small issues can be fixed with a basic reset or reinstallation.
Compatibility and compliance problems are different stories.
If your system can’t be updated to meet evolving standards, such as PCI compliance in retail, you’ll want to replace the hardware. It's simply not worth risking data exposure or legal fallout from unsupported tech.
3. The Lifecycle
All devices will eventually fail, but with good lifecycle management, it won’t come as such a surprise. Tablets, smartphones and other mobile endpoints usually last three to four years as a basic rule of thumb. Larger equipment like printers can often be pushed closer to a decade. Your mileage may vary, of course.
A smart lifecycle management strategy includes tracking usage, monitoring wear and planning updates before the failures start pile up. This can help you spread out the cost of upgrading by slowly phasing in brand new devices while repairing the best of your remaining fleet.
4. The Budget
Sometimes, cost is king. If replacing a device is more than twice the cost of repair, it usually makes sense to fix it. But remember, it’s not just the sticker price. A real evaluation looks at the total cost of ownership (TCO), including future repairs, potential productivity losses and asset depreciation in IT.
A full cost-benefit analysis can often be very helpful here; especially when you’re dealing with a large number of devices.
TRG Can Help You Make the Right Call
Choosing between repair or replacement can be complex; especially when you’re managing entire fleets of endpoint devices across multiple locations.
That’s where TRG comes in.
We deliver cost-effective hardware solutions designed to reduce risk and downtime. Our in-house team also offers expert repairs, spare parts pooling and buyback programs for obsolete equipment.
Let’s Talk
Need help deciding when to repair or replace your critical business hardware? We’ve got you covered.
Contact us today to get started.