In the past few years, the introduction of devices like Google Glass and Apple’s iWatch have brought the discussion of wearable technology to the forefront. Both of these items have proven to be quite popular and we’re sure to see a number of variations in the coming years. So is the wearable technology trend something that enterprises need to follow?

Wearable technology press has focused almost exclusivley on consumer products and applications, but companies such as Intel see opportunities in the enterprise market as well. Just as the smartphone and tablet started out primarily as consumer products but are now becoming ubiquitous for business, many tech industry watchers think that wearables will become an integral part of many business operations.

These wearable pieces of technology could come from a variety of companies — some well-established, others new start-ups — not just from the big tech OEMs we know today. Certainly, companies like Intel have a lot to gain by encouraging innovation and lots of new product development. There are already a few products in the innovation stage such as gloves and specialty applications for products like Google Glass. As the technology evolves and we all become more comfortable with wearables, it’s very likely we’ll find many opportunities to use them to improve business operations.

So as an IT asset manager, will these wearable technology items become assets you manage as well? Will the applications for them include effective asset tracking and information security? We don’t yet know the answers to those questions. And if companies are buying these products, they will also need to follow proper disposal procedures when they have reached their end-of-life, whether they are finished using them or wish to upgrade to a newer model.

Other questions arise as well: Could this lead to a whole new stream of e-waste, one that is perhaps even bigger than the mobile device stream? Will these items be reusable and recyclable in the first place? Will the ITAD process now need to include a WAD process (Wearable Asset Disposition)?  Will there also be a BYOW (Bring Your Own Wearable) policy under which we allow, or even require, employees to provide and use their own wearable?

The need to answer these questions is not yet urgent, but it will most likely come in the next few years. Will you be ready?

We have written a guide for WAD yet, but we do have a great guide for ITAD.  Get your copy here.