28 March 2011
Computer Networks, an Australian IT support company, has reported a major increase in the number of customers purchasing and leasing hardware via their managed procurement services in the post GFC era.
The CN Group CEO, Brian Pereira, said “We’ve definitely seen a rise in the purchasing and leasing ability of our customers as our economy has grown since the GFC. Our partnership with IBM Finance has allowed for more SMEs to purchase and lease equipment they would not otherwise have the capital to purchase.”
The major drop in hardware purchases and leases during the GFC was directly due to the lack of financing available to small and medium enterprises throughout the economic downturn. Furthermore, the lack of financing to SMEs has been attributed to the fact that finance corporations were not adequately set up to acquire the necessary credit information on SMEs which in turn prevented them from loaning funds to these entities.
Over the past two years, Computer Networks has witnessed the streamlining of these financial processes and thereby more of their customers have been able to attain the necessary credit with more ease. Computer Networks also provides a range of IT support services and thereby are able to recommend hardware and software solutions that can be easily integrated with your current network infrastructure.
More and more frequently, Computer Networks is working with IBM Finance to provide credit to their customers for iPads, iPhones, laptops other enterprise equipment under their managed procurement services.
“We are happy to see the economy getting back to normal so that companies have the options and flexibility to purchase or lease the equipment that is best for their business. We want them to choose cost-effective, scalable hardware rather than choosing systems that will be outdated in six to twelve months,” said Pereira.
Hardware and software is being updated at such a fast pace in this technological age. Businesses need to stay on top of that technology to remain competitive and profitable. Yet, many small and medium enterprises do not have the up-front capital required to purchase new equipment each time there is a new release or upgrade.
Businesses also often grow faster than anticipated; however, many do not have the funding to make the initial investment in scalable items, meaning they will need to purchase more frequently. With leasing, companies are able to have more flexibility in the hardware and infrastructure that they purchase. They can also invest in scalable hardware which will grow as their company grows without requiring the company to come up with a large amount of cash.
Brian Pereira noted that leasing is not for everyone. Hardware will not show up as an asset on the books for any corporation who leases. However, for companies who cannot afford upfront capital it is a great option as they can be billed on a monthly basis allowing the hardware to become a monthly business expense.
Types of hardware that are often leased are storage systems, SAN, laptops, desktops, mobility devices (iPads, iPhones, Androids), etc. Computer Networks also offers their customers the ability to bundle the hardware, device implementation and deployment costs into the lease plan, as part of their IT support and managed procurement services.
ENDS
For more information please contact:
Brian Pereira on 02 9878 0277 or 0418 972 518
