The Difference Between an IT Disposal and IT Disposition Company

Businesses now rely on a vast array of electronics to perform tasks ranging from simple to complex.  It used to be that credit card purchases were verified by carbon copies made on manual imprinting machines.  Today, electronic equipment digitally captures card data stored on magnetic strips or embedded microchips, encrypting it and sending purchase data directly to financial institutions online.

That’s the least of the electronic upgrades modern businesses have made, and unlike old, mechanical cash registers that could last multiple lifetimes with proper maintenance, today’s electronic equipment becomes obsolete rather quickly.  This leaves companies to cope with a growing pile of electronics that must be properly disposed of. The problem is that you might not necessarily understand the terminology or concepts associated with getting rid of outdated or unusable electronic equipment.  If your South Dakota or North Dakota business is trying to figure out how to manage the life cycle of electronics, you need to start by understanding the difference between IT disposal and disposition.

IT Disposal vs. IT Asset Disposition

Disposing of IT assets or other electronics could be considered different from disposition in a couple of key ways.  Some will tell you that the main characteristic of disposal is that it pertains to individuals or small companies that are simply getting rid of outdated equipment or devices through local recycling efforts.  In other words, it’s a matter of volume.

This isn’t necessarily the whole truth.  IT asset disposition, or ITAD, is a process by which IT equipment is disposed of in keeping with not just environmental laws, but also privacy laws and associated industry regulations related to consumer data (like HIPAA and FACTA, for medical and financial data, respectively).

Devices can be disposed of simply enough by breaking them down into parts for recycling, but this doesn’t deal with the security of data these devices might contain.  A certified ITAD service provider will almost certainly recycle IT equipment, but first, the company will make sure all data has been destroyed, in keeping with applicable federal, state, and local privacy laws, as well as industry standards, when required.

This is completed when devices like hard drives are shredded before recycling, or alternately, they’re professionally wiped to thoroughly remove data in preparation for remarketing.  The term “disposal” doesn’t really cover the same scope of treatment you’ll get with asset disposition.

The Right Partner for the Job

While some companies offer ITAD services and others merely provide recycling, your best bet, if you have significant turnover of IT assets and/or you’re beholden to privacy laws, is to partner with a company that offers both.  A certified ITAD service provider undergoes third-party assessment and meets high standards, ensuring that your company remains in compliance with applicable laws.

If you want the best opportunity to protect your South Dakota or North Dakota company, as well as your customers, from issues like data breach and identity theft, your best bet is to partner with a reliable, certified ITAD service provider like SEAM, located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. SEAM helps companies located in the upper Midwest including the Dakotas, SW Minnesota, NW Iowa, Nebraska and beyond. Contact us today at 605-274-7326 (SEAM) or online to request a quote and learn more.