10 Factors To Consider

10 factors to consider when switching to an alternative source for POS hardware repairs.

If you are contemplating a switch in how POS and related IT hardware is repaired at your organization, then this list provides a quick overview of the key areas you should be considering.

Expertise
It may be obvious, but you need to make sure that they have the skills to carry out the repairs. A comparison needs to be made against your current arrangements to see if standards will at least be maintained or hopefully bettered by making a switch.

Longevity
Whatever option is chosen, you need to make sure that it will provide a stable service. For example, if you’re recruiting an in-house team, can you be sure that employees will guarantee you many years of loyal service? Or if you’re looking to outsource, is the company stable and able to supply a reliable service, regardless of the economic climate?

Reputation
Can your new source of POS repairs deliver as promised? For example, if you’re selecting a depot repair center, do they highlight their credentials with appropriate case studies on customers with a similar profile to yours? Or if you’re hiring new staff to complement your in-house team, does their experience and references tally?

Expectations
You need to make sure that everything operates smoothly once the change has been made. Remember, changing from an arrangement for on-site repairs to one where hardware is shipped to a repair depot for example will require planning and a whole host of new procedures for your colleagues to follow. Can the new avenue of support work effectively with you to keep this disruption down to a minimum?

Processes
Whichever method you favor, you need to be sure that there is a smooth, hassle-free operation. Those attractive cost savings after letting warranties expire for repair work from the manufacturer could soon vanish if the arrangement with your new third party for out-of-warranty hardware repairs ties up your time and resources with admin tasks, for example.

Pricing
Are you sure you have the most cost-effective arrangement for POS repairs? Have you budgeted for staffing and supporting an in-house team of technicians, or worked with a depot repair center on cost projections to show the value of their annual maintenance plan compared to an arrangement with the original manufacturer/s? Obtaining continued return on investment from the initial POS hardware investment, even after initial warranties expire, is the ultimate goal of the savvy hardware manager.

Transparency
Having a clear picture of your inventory is mandatory when managing the hardware requirements of stores that could number well into the thousands. So will your choice of POS repair support be on the ball? You need to be clear on how you wish to be updated. And clarity extends to the pricing too. You need to guard against shocks when the monthly invoice lands on your desk by knowing repair pricing in advance.

Tailoring
Expect the same service from a third-party compared to the one provided by an in-house team by having a service exactly how you’d like it. You should work closely with the chosen method of support so that it’s on your terms. A full service advance exchange inventory management from a vendor could be the ideal fit.

Flexibility
Although you’re searching for a source of POS repair that complements your organization with a tailored approach, you should be on the lookout for one that can still react should the need arise. It’s reassuring to know that if a speedy turnaround is required on a batch handheld barcode scanner repairs for example, then your vendor or team can complete the task promptly.