Options Continuation Programs Extend Life of IT Infrastructures

By Jane Fields

Choosing an IT infrastructure can be a stressful and time consuming process for businesses and individuals today. To further exacerbate the process, it is not unusual for a company to spend lengthy amounts of time researching, testing, and negotiating IT platforms and products, only to discover that the technology of choice has become out of date or otherwise unavailable. Then the entire process has to begin again or the business is forced to make a rash decision that may or may not work out as expected.

A typical IT product has a life cycle of as little as six months, possibly a year before it is removed from the shelves. This can cause both financial upset and certain amounts of stress when a business has made a significant investment only to discover that upgrades, accessories and additional hardware is now unavailable. Thankfully IT manufacturers are pairing up with reputable companies within the computer secondary market in an attempt address this issue. IBM, as an example, has chosen certain reputable resellers to work with in order to offer purchasers the option of extending a products lifecycle through their IBM Options Continuation Program (OCP).

Option continuation programs (OCP) allow resellers to purchase IT inventory that is discounted, refurbished, or otherwise discontinued. The items are purchased by the OPC partners in large quantities at severely reduced prices. This is advantageous for the manufacturers because they make room for cutting edge technology, and it is advantageous for small businesses and end users who would like to upgrade, accessorize and add to existing infrastructure.

Small, medium and large size companies are taking advantage of the computer secondary market in several ways. From the start of the process, they will be much more self assured when they are beginning the research and planning stage. Certain computer secondary market partners of the options continuation program will offer a vast and diverse inventory, a devoted customer service and sales force, around the clock eCommerce support and assistance to businesses individuals alike. The flexibility that is available to businesses and individuals, worldwide, to assist with planning, implementation, and upgrades is virtually immeasurable.

Prior to taking advantage of the IBM options continuation program (OCP), individuals and organizations may wonder what types of guarantees, warranties and services are offered by reselling partners. With a reputable OCP partner, however, this is a nonissue. Depending on the quality and offerings of the retailer a warranty as long as three months may be offered on new, used and refurbished IT equipment and accessories. As an added benefit, extended options, offers and upgrade capabilities can be offered with the same warranty periods, equalling as many as three months.

Reselling members of extended life programs offer a flexible, cost effective, long term solution to short IT product life cycles and constantly evolving technology. With the economy that is currently being faced by individuals, small businesses, and big industry, it is a safe bet that this service that will be taken advantage of more and more on a global scale.

For more information on new and refurbished computer products visit your IBM OCP reseller at itxchange.com

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