In the lifecycle of any organization, surplus equipment becomes inevitable. The real question is—what’s the smartest exit strategy? With over 20 years of experience managing assets across industries, we’ve seen it all. Sometimes it’s a win to resell; other times, scrapping is the most strategic move.

The Lifecycle of Obsolete Equipment in the Enterprise: From Cutting-Edge to Forgotten Assets

In the world of biotech, IT, and industrial operations, equipment doesn’t just become used—it becomes obsolete.

In the fast-paced world of IT, biotech, and industrial innovation, companies are always chasing the next breakthrough — the next product, the next milestone. But what happens to the assets left behind? The unused servers in the corner lab, the aging diagnostic instruments, the redundant racks in the data center?

It’s a question most people never ask themselves after upgrading their laptop or replacing company servers. But the truth is, what happens next matters more than you think. Sensitive data, personal information, and environmental impact are all top concerns when disposing of old tech.

I’m often running into facility engineers, who are at the intersection of science and operations — helping researchers scale discoveries with the right infrastructure. One of the most common questions I hear when supporting biotech labs is: Should we invest in HPLC or UHPLC?