The best partners for your business are those who are going to be there for the long haul. For an enterprise to function at an optimal level, you must align yourself with long-term partners that you can always count on — ones that “have your back,” if you will.

It is true that almost every service company in a particular segment is able to claim to offer the exact same services to an enterprise as all the others. There may be small differences here and there, but for the most part, similar service providers in a particular industry segment are all offering pretty much the same thing – at least, that’s how it appears.

So, how do you choose the service provider that is best for your business if they all offer similar services? It’s not an easy task. The key is to find one that you can trust. A provider that recognizes the important relationship between themselves and their clients becomes an indispensable partner for your business. That service provider must keep up with industry trends as well, sharing information that helps you improve your business process.

To that end, although ITAD service providers will often claim to be able to offer similar services, there are differences! Certifications, which not all companies maintain, demonstrate a commitment to handling and processing all assets and e-waste in compliance with environmental, health and safety regulations. Experience, reputation, responsiveness, industry knowledge, and flexible service plans are also key factors to consider when selecting an ITAD vendor. The best companies will provide you with advice on how to improve your processes and manage your equipment end-of-life to minimize costs and risks, maximize value recovery, and ensure compliance.

When considering a new ITAD vendor, here are a few simple things you can do to ensure you are finding a business partner, not just a vendor:

• Ask for a list of contacts at the company – do they provide direct contact information for people that will be able to help you, or is it just a generic customer service line?
• Check for certifications – confirm with the certification website that the company holds the certifications currently.
• Ask how you can improve all or part of the process – can they share insight that demonstrates industry knowledge and understanding of your business and compliance needs?
• Ask if they can offer options that will lower your costs – do they explain to you how that relates to your own internal costs/resources and also your risks?
• Request information on the regulations your company is subject to (like PCI, HIPPA, SOX, etc), and how they will help you ensure your compliance.
• Do a pilot or two – a couple of dates before you get married is a great way to understand how your potential new partner really works.

Are you in the search for a reputable ITAD service provider that will ensure that you meet your corporate security and governance requirements, as well as industry best practices and regulatory standards? And that can help you implement and manage a process that meets your unique company requirements? Contact one of our professionals today to find out how we support our customer-partners.