AV Technology - June 2008 - (Page 41)

ITAD: OBSOLESCENCE CREATES A WHOLE NEW INDUSTRY ramingham, MA-based market intelligence firm IDC says that businesses are increasingly turning to third-party disposal services to deal with computer systems and peripherals that are being retired. This trend, driven by growing concerns about data security and environmental impact, is causing the IT asset disposal (ITAD) industry to undergo a major transformation. In a survey commissioned by Dell, IDC found that more than one-third of all the companies surveyed use a thirdparty IT disposal service, with relatively little variation across countries. The reasons for turning to an ITAD service, however, varied from country to country. Data security was cited as the key decision-making factor by companies in North America and Germany, while environmental mandates and “social responsibilities” were the primary concerns in the United Kingdom and France, respectively. The survey data also shows a relationship between the size of a company and its probability of using a thirdparty disposal service. Adoption rates are significantly higher for large companies — nearly 65 percent for companies with more than 10,000 workers. IDC discovered that a low percentage of small businesses — companies with fewer than 100 employees — hired a third-party IT asset disposal (ITAD) service. IDC expects this trend to change over time as ITAD vendors develop and market their offerings to the SMB sector and as the sector comes to better understand the risks. Banks were the most likely to use IT asset disposal services (63 percent), followed by health care and government organizations (39 percent). Home businesses and consumers were the least likely to use a third-party ITAD provider. (Source: IDC) F business waste,” says Thompson. “I would guess that the primary reason they do not cover business waste is the volume.” For their part, Panasonic developed leadfree glass material for its plasma televisions and monitors with properties similar to lead oxide glass used in CRT video displays. According to the company, the new screens will result in the worldwide reduction of close to 300 metric tons of lead, the approximate weight of two 747 commercial airliners, every year. The lead-free glass also makes the recycling process safer for workers. As AV technology advances, it will take an organized, group effort from manufacturers, system designers, installers, and end users to effectively manage the waste created by obsolete technology. Thompson advises, “Before you buy, talk to the manufacturer about environmental attributes like potential recyclability and energy efficiency.” Linda Seid Frembes is a journalist and public relations consultant for the pro AV community. Visit her at www.frembes.com. june 2008 | AV TECHNOLOGY | 41 http://www.frembes.com http://www.edirol.comv8p10 http://www.edirol.comv8p10

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of AV Technology - June 2008

AV Technology - June 2008 Contents Precedent Corporate: Global Standardization Government: Strategic Technology Planning Education: It’s All Just a Click Pre-Empting Projector Breakdown Dealing With Technophobes Keeping Ahead of Technology Obsolescence Understanding Video Codecs Rules of Engagement Network, See & Learn Sound From the Heart Sportsbook Makes an Impact Upgrading an AV Image Product Review: Polycom’s RealPresence Experience HD Tech Horizons: A True AV Networking Standard? Product Spotlight: Digital Media Servers; Flat Panel New Products Ad Index AV MO: Calculating Fiber Optic Transmission Distance

AV Technology - June 2008

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