Business and Technology

3 Mistakes Businesses make when procuring laptops for their employees

When procuring business laptops, many companies make the mistake of opting for a cheaper solution without considering functionality or after-service support – only to regret it later down the line. Considering the amount of time employees spend behind their computers, it’s worth investing in hardware that will improve productivity and work reliably in the long run. If you’re thinking of procuring laptops for your business, these are some of the pitfalls you’ll want to avoid.

The quick-and-cheap solution

If you’re planning to use IT equipment in longer lifecycles, you need to think about what your technology needs will look like in the future. Good business laptops should be seen as an asset rather than an expense. Investing in quality will help your organisation grow – and often ends up costing a lot less than replacing cheaper tech every time it breaks or becomes outdated.

Technology is rapidly evolving, and the productivity of employees is closely tied to how well their machines run. A business laptop like the Acer TravelMate P2 is one of the toughest workhorses on the market – and it doesn’t break the budget. With a Solid State Drive (SSD), 13 hours of battery life, and a 10th Gen Intel Core i5 processor, it gives employees all the essential capabilities they’ll need for the long haul. With less frustration from using outdated hardware, employees are able to stay in the zone and deliver their best work consistently.

The one-size-fits-all approach

Before purchasing any IT hardware, businesses should always determine who will be using it and what they will be getting out of it. The one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t always work, especially when it comes to procuring business laptops. If an employee will be processing large amounts of data or running resource-intensive applications, they will need a laptop that’s powerful enough to handle these requirements. Or, if they will be working on the move, they might want to look for a laptop like the Acer TravelMate Spin B3 that has a lighter and more versatile design, military-grade durability and a 12-hour battery life.

Ultimately, it is important to do your research first and only buy according to each use case. You should be able to communicate your needs to a salesperson who understands your requirements and will tailor-make a solution according to priorities such as your price point, number of staff, software that needs to be loaded, hardware specifications, or necessary security requirements such as fingerprint recognition or TPM chips. If your supplier isn’t willing to be flexible, rushes you, or is ignoring what you are asking for, it’s probably time to find a new tech partner!

Not having after-sales support

One of the biggest mistakes businesses make when procuring business laptops in overlooking the importance of after-sales support. It is critical to partner with a trusted provider of IT hardware that won’t rush you into making a decision without asking the right questions and understanding your needs first. With a brand like Acer, the sale doesn’t end once the invoicing is done – it’s where your journey begins. The Acer Care Center provides a full range of services, checks and updates to keep your devices running smoothly, and with Acer Care Plus, businesses can have access to priority service, exclusive telephone support, accident protection, data recovery, complimentary on-site repair, and more.

Work smart, not hard

If a company wants to leverage technology to drive growth and innovation, management needs to understand where and how technology can add value. Employees should be working smarter, not harder, and for that they need a fast and reliable device to do so. A business laptop isn’t just a business expense – it’s the key to increased productivity. Invest in that, and it will pay its dividends.

In Other News – Engen steps up to help Stellenbosch’s homeless this winter – #EngenCares #ActionAgainstPoverty

Stellenbosch’s poor and homeless will feel warmer this winter after Engen, in partnership with StellCare Family Services, SAPS and the Gift of the Givers, distributed essential winter items amongst the community.

Collection points were set up at 10 participating Engen services stations in the Western Cape, with Gift of the Givers collecting donated items as well as an additional contribution of 150 blankets, 150 beanies and 250 pairs of boots (100 for kids and 150 for adults) from Engen’s corporate office. Read More