Choosing the right IT asset disposition (ITAD) provider is crucial for any organization looking to manage its retired IT assets responsibly. The right provider can help maximize the residual value of retired assets, ensure data security, and support sustainability goals.
To save you time and money, we thoroughly researched the services provided by 8 different major ITAD providers and hardware manufacturers offering ITAD services. We read through their ITAD policies, scoured all of their publicly available online documentation, and read all the fine print we could find. This information was completely accurate as of April 2024 when we studied the online documentation. Let’s see what we found for Ingram’s ITAD services.
Ingram's ITAD Services: An Overview
Ingram offers a range of ITAD services focused on working with retailers and manufacturers to repair and redeploy devices. This strategy helps companies avoid having to handle this themselves and helps promote a circular economy by keeping assets in reusable condition. For large companies, Ingram provides ITAD services centered on risk management, logistics, refurbishment, and repair, encouraging reuse wherever possible. However, it appears that ITAD services are not their main focus, as their documentation on these services is lean compared to their repair services for manufacturers and retailers.
Range of Assets Accepted
To initiate the ITAD process with Ingram, you need to contact them directly and inform them about your assets. They do not offer an online asset upload or valuation tool.
They accept a wide range of equipment, including computers, office hardware, smartphones, and tablets. However, the list of accepted items is not provided, making it unclear if they will handle all your assets.
ITAD Collection Services
Ingram provides a self-shipping option for small volumes through their Box Program. For larger volumes, they utilize a network of Ingram Micro trucks that service over 80% of U.S.-based clients. Companies located outside of that network area may need to handle the logistics themselves.
During transportation, Ingram employs GPS tracking, driver contact via smartphones, and locked cargo areas. Trucks are equipped with cameras and numbered seals to ensure the cargo remains unopened during transit.
Data Destruction Services
Ingram offers both on-site and off-site data destruction services, including secure erasure or physical destruction. For assets with residual value, drives are erased using Blancco software, complying with NIST 800-88 security standards and producing serialized reports for audit compliance. Drives that fail verification, are not reusable, or are restricted by corporate policy are physically destroyed using shredders, SSD drive pulverizers, and degaussers. Certificates of data erasure and destruction are issued for every drive.
Reporting Procedures
Ingram provides extensive reporting and asset accountability through their online portal, allowing customers to track asset progress and download reports and certificates for each asset. The portal offers standard reports based on various parameters and can create customized reports for clients with specific needs. They also offer on-site audit services during asset collection or at any time during the asset lifecycle.
Recycling and E-Waste Policies
Ingram aims to repair hardware and upgrade software first, then return IT assets to the client or sell them through their remarketing services using private B2B auctions. Assets with no residual value are responsibly recycled by breaking them down into commodity categories, which are then sent to downstream processors.
Ingram’s recycling processes comply with local, state, federal, and international regulations, including R2 certifications.
Chain of Custody Tracking
Ingram uses BlueIQ tracking to record all asset serial numbers and track each asset individually through every step of the ITAD process. Customers can log into the web portal to track their assets at any stage, ensuring a clear and transparent chain of custody.
Cash Value
Ingram states they will attempt to recover value from your assets through various redeployment or remarketing strategies. While they focus on refurbishment, ensuring some assets retain value, there is no mention of service fees, whether cash is required upfront, or how cash value is disbursed to the client.
The Fine Print
Ingram’s ITAD site is sparse in details and there was no fine print available, making it unclear how they determine the value and what might reduce asset value. However, we did not generate a quote with them, which could contain additional fine print.
Assessing Ingram’s ITAD Services
When assessing Ingram’s ITAD services, several things become apparent. Ingram’s focus on refurbishment and reuse aligns well with sustainability goals and promotes a circular economy. Their extensive tracking and reporting capabilities provide transparency and accountability, critical factors in a secure ITAD process.
However, Ingram’s lack of online asset valuation tools and lack of nationwide coverage could create a more cumbersome process for some. The absence of clear information on service fees and cash value disbursement made it difficult for clients to fully understand the financial implications of their services.
Summary Chart of Ingram ITAD Services
Find Out How We Can Help
If you are an enterprise, government, or institution looking for ITAD solutions or want a copy of our white paper on Ingram’s ITAD services or one of the other companies we researched, please contact us at ICT.
Selected References
ICT About ICT (n.d.) ICT About Company Page. Retrieved February 2, 2024, from https://ictcompany.com/
ICT Mission Reuse (n.d.) ICT Mission Reuse. Retrieved February 2, 2024, https://mission-reuse.com/
Ingram E-Waste Recycling (n.d.). Ingram Micro ITAD | E-Waste Recycling. Ingram Micro Services. https://www.ingrammicroservices.com/itad/ewaste-recycling/
Ingram ITAD. (n.d.). IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) & E-Waste Recycling | Ingram Micro ITAD. Ingram Micro Services. https://www.ingrammicroservices.com/itad/asset-disposition/
Ingram ITAD Logistics (n.d.). Ingram Micro ITAD | Case Study | ITAD Logistics Solutions. Ingram Micro Services. https://www.ingrammicroservices.com/resources/itad-logistics-solution/
Kissel, R., Regenscheid, A., Scholl, M., & Stine, K. (2014, December 17). Guidelines for Media Sanitization. Csrc.nist.gov. https://csrc.nist.gov/pubs/sp/800/88/r1/final
SERI (2020). Welcome To R2v3. SERI - Sustainable Electronics Recycling International. https://sustainableelectronics.org/welcome-to-r2v3/
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