All equipment received into our facility undergoes a series of rigorous testing to ensure that it is fit for reuse.
Equipment received is placed immediately in a secure isolation area and booked into our specialist asset-tracking database. Where possible, the original equipment manufacturer's serial number is used to identify the equipment initially and subsequently linked to our own tracking ID which is then used throughout our refurbishment process.
Each individual piece of donated equipment is monitored through all stages of our reuse process and the records securely maintained.
An initial visual inspection is carried out by staff and trainees to identify any items that will be unfit for reuse due to cracked casings, exposed wiring, physical damage or missing components.
The equipment is subsequently moved into our Triage Area where ALL hard disk(s) and any settings are securely and thoroughly wiped either using our advanced data deletion hardware and software (see our Data Deletion Standards) or securely and thoroughly reset to factory settings.
All client-identifying marks, labels and asset tags are removed at this stage. We will even check the case under Ultra-Violet for any possible 'invisible' identifying marks.
Any unnecessary or add-on components are removed for separate storage and identified by type for reuse.
The equipment undergoes electrical safety and full functionality testing by our qualified personnel. A decision is made at this stage as to whether the equipment meets our minimum requirements and whether it should be stored for reuse, or subsequently recycled.
Our recycling processes are in excess of current environmental legislation. After your equipment has gone through our testing process we decide whether that item can be reused or has to be environmentally scrapped. We have adopted the best possible practices in the Environmental disposal of unusable IT equipment.
Disassembly is carried out in such a way as to maximise the potential for reuse and functional components are identified. Any components removed such as memory, power supplies, cards etc. undergo further testing on our extensive test rigs before being tagged and stored so as to facilitate their reuse.
Equipment that cannot be reused, is fully and securely recycled as electronic waste; the units are stripped down in-house to component level by the staff and trainees. The various materials, including the metal and plastic, is recycled locally and all potentially harmful elements are proper recycled by registered waste dealers within West Yorkshire. This is a chargeable service.
Systems that can be reused undergoes the following process:
The interior and exterior of the cases are thoroughly cleaned. Cmos Batteries are replaced, all components including memory are tested and the equipment undergoes a rigorous testing regime by our staff and trainees. Once complete, the equipment intended for reuse is bagged up and placed in storage awaiting rebuild.
The award-winning Microscope™ Diagnostic Suite is used to confirm that the equipment and individual components are 'fit for purpose' using over 250 test routines.
Microscope Diagnostic Suite carries out extensive testing of all hardware on the system to ensure optimum all-round peformance. Possible underlying errors are extensively checked in a total of thirty-nine areas. These include:
Equipment and components intended for reuse are stored temporarily until required in our secure storage area.
Equipment intended for reuse is removed from storage, rebuilt to the client's specifications before we install a genuine Microsoft™ Windows operating system (see Microsoft Refurbisher) as well as other software including anti-virus and anti-spyware programs and all vital security updates.
PassMark BurnInTest™ is then used to extensively test all the software on the system to ensure excellent endurance, reliability and stability. This program simultaneously stresses various subsystems in the same way that computer usage over a prolonged time would, bringing any faults within the system to the forefront. Such areas tested include CPU, hard drives, RAM, CD-ROMs, CD burners, DVDs, sound cards, 2D graphics, 3D graphic, network connection and ports. Any potential problems discovered are then rectified by our qualified personnel before retesting.
All bundled peripherals (monitor, keyboard, mouse etc.) also undergo rigorous testing using specialist PassMark Software and testing equipment such as Monitor and Keyboard Test programs, loopback plugs and test cables.
A performance test of all software and hardware on the system is then carried out using PassMark PerformanceTest ™. This incorporates a further twenty-eight standard benchmark tests including CPU, 2D and 3D graphics tests, with optional advanced configurable tests if required. This ensues that each system is operating at its optimum capacity before leaving our premises.
As part of our pre-delivery tests, all equipment also undergoes rigorous Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) by our qualified staff, ensuring it complies fully with all electrical safety and resale requirements and meeting all the necessary legal and technical criteria demanded by UK Health and Safety Laws.
To verify quality assurance, once rebuilt and tested, each system has to pass a thorough 3R-iT quality control check before delivery, with all hardware, software and operations run through a checklist to confirm all physical appearances, cleanliness, network connections, hardware and software specifications meet DOT-COMmunication's high standard before been dispatched.
As well as quality testing our equipment, it also ensures that we can continually assess the competence of our staff and trainees so that we can identify any additional training and experience necessary.
