For businesses large and small, capital expenditure is under the microscope as the country’s economic conditions show little signs of improving. Finance directors are asking their IT counterparts to look at technology projects with a view to trimming overall IT budgets.
The effect has been an increase in enquiries to companies who rent out laptops and other computer equipment. Technology rental is a means to helping businesses to reduce the capital needed to operate their activities.
Paul Spittle runs two IT and AV rental businesses near London. Tek Hire and Hire Tech Solutions. He reports that over the past 12 to 18 months, he has seen a noticeable rise in the number of enquiries for renting laptops. “I think the rise in enquiries is because they are not cheap technology items to buy, but they are also incredibly necessary and versatile with many business applications.
“Whether it is a laptop for an event, a conference, a training session, meeting or AGM, there remains high demand for both Apple and Microsoft laptop products. Added to that the impact of flexible working post coronavirus and demand for laptop rental is both strong and sustained.”
Spittle continues. “Whilst undoubtedly the business climate is tough, opportunities exist where suppliers managed to keep hold of their technicians through the pandemic. One of our rental sites is close to the ExCeL Exhibition Centre and the City of London. Many legal, financial, and other professional services providers in the Square Mile want a ‘turnkey’ solution. That is to say ‘product and people’ and we’re able to provide both for all of their training, presentation and conference needs. Proximity to the ExCeL Centre by its nature brings opportunities when exhibitions are in town.”
Common laptop rental questions
The frequent questions that are asked by people hiring laptops in London are:
- What will be the condition of the laptop that is rented to me?
- How will you protect the data on the laptop during and after the rental?
- Do you rent out Apple laptops as well as those on the Microsoft platform?
- How flexible are the laptop hire terms?
- Can I amend my laptop hire arrangements during the hire period?
- What arrangements do you have in place should my hired laptop break down?
- What happens if I cause accidental damage to the laptop whilst it is rented out to me?
Paul Spittle continues. “These are all good and frequently asked questions. What we would say is that we have an experienced pre-sales team in place to answer all queries for laptop rental. With such a vast range of makes and models of laptop to choose from it is sensible to speak to an expert so that you are only paying for the amount of computing power that you need for the task in hand.”