A Conversation with Alan Puah, Managing Director of Rentalworks Group

Path To Recovery, Adopting a New Normal

Economies are on a recovery path. How can SMEs benefit from the services offered by Rentalworks?

We’re indeed in the midst of an economic recovery although with still reeling with oscillating COVID infection rates. To tap on this growth trajectory and seize businesses opportunities, businesses need to be versatile and agile in mobilising its workforce-juggling between work-from-home and hybrid work models. Businesses need to be able to equip its workforce with the right devices and at the same time ensuring the endpoints are protected from inherent cyberthreats.

Rentalworks’ integrated IT asset lifecycle management solutions consisting of specially curated device leasing programs enables businesses to maneuver seamlessly in this new normal. We work out the best available tech devices that fit each SMEs business requirements at the cost that fits their budget. Our unique lease-to-use approach ensures the process of deployment, maintenance and refresh are all managed throughout by Rentalworks; at the same time ensuring all endpoints are managed and protected from anywhere, at anytime. Our solutions help businesses reduce costs of sourcing, procuring, and managing these devices – so that they can focus on growing their businesses.

Why leasing instead of buying and how much cost savings can be achieved ?

Laptop leasing is an alternative to buying; a favored alternative when a business is looking at defraying/rationalize its costs. The purchase price of a laptop typically constitutes 20% of the total costs which is just the tip of the iceberg when taking into consideration total costs of ownership of that device throughout its lifespan. The balance of the 80% are hidden costs which encompass updates and fixes, support and maintenance, failures and recovery and last but not least, decommissioning and recycling of the device. By subscribing to Rentalworks leasing solutions which incorporates end-to-end IT asset lifecycle management, that 80% is ‘incurred’ and is the responsibility of Rentalworks as the lessor of the device. Imagine the amount of cost savings of that approximately 80% costs of managing the device?

Rentalworks’ leasing does not merely provide lease-to-use IT devices notably laptops. Its solutions extend beyond financing the device. Rentalworks provides end-to-end IT asset lifecycle management services i.e. from assisting in curating a plan that meets the requirements and budget of its clients (hence eliminates the hassles of sourcing), deploying the assets and securely within the chain-of-custody to managing/maintaining the devices throughout the lease period. Our clients see the value of our solutions as it alleviates the 80% ‘hidden’ costs, diversify the procurement options, off-loads inventory management, and provides up-to-date firmware cyber-security.

What makes Rentalworks different from other service providers?
Rentalworks’ leasing does not merely provide lease-to-use IT devices notably laptops. Its solutions extend beyond financing the device. Rentalworks provides end-to-end IT asset lifecycle management services i.e. from assisting in curating a plan that meets the requirements and budget of its clients ( hence eliminates the hassles of sourcing ), deploying the assets and securely within the chain-of-custody to managing/maintaining the devices throughout the lease period. Our clients see the value of our solutions as it alleviates the 80% ‘hidden’ costs, diversify the procurement options, off-loads inventory management, and provides up-to-date firmware cyber-security.
Apart from cash flow, how does Rentalworks support SMEs in building a robust secure work environment?
Apart from boosting the cash flow of a business, Rentalworks in addition to its end-to-end IT asset lifecycle management services, provides endpoint protection and secure data erasure services. Most businesses across the globe have embraced a hybrid work model. This has made it even more critical that endpoints are securely protect from cycber-threats and remote data erasure on devices can be easily and promptly executed. Rentalworks Endpoint Protection and Secure Data Erasure services ( which are packaged along with its leasing plans ) are such services which businesses can take advantage of to mitigate these risks.
What is Rentalworks’ role in supporting a sustainable greener economy?
Leasing industry is “well-positioned” to be a front runner to support the growth of the circular economy. Rentalworks IT Asset Lifecycle Management supports this in that it promotes a business model that allows its customers to have access to IT devices they need to run their business, and with Rentalworks retaining ownership of the assets throughout its lifecycle, can Rentalworks takes responsibility for extending its useable life, recovering it for reuse and remanufacturing. In doing so, maximizing its economic utility while minimizing environmental impact. In addition for devices that have attained its end of life, Rentalworks will recycle the devices responsibly in accordance to local environmental laws.

Save Some Ringgits & The Environment By Renting A Laptop Instead

Apart from the more commonly known ways of saving, such as automating your savings into another account, avoiding impulse purchases, and tracking your expenses, the truth is there are unconventional ways to save as well. 

 

Growing your vegetables on your balcony, cooking instead of ordering food deliveries, or even renting a laptop instead of forking out a huge chunk of your savings to buy one. 

For most of us, getting a laptop can be a very personal yet expensive process. We scout for the right device online and offline, compare specs, dwell on which one to buy for a few days, and then buy it a week later. Not forgetting the habitual “no” to the additional RM200 for a year’s technical support and service whilst promising yourself that you’ll never let anything happen to your brand new laptop. 

Rent The Right Device With Rentalworks 

As nice as it may seem to have a personal laptop that you can call your own, you could potentially save hundreds, or even thousands in the long run, by renting an equally capable pre-loved laptop from Rentalworks. 

With well-known brands such as HP, Lenovo, Dell, and Acer, Rentalworks provides an array of laptops that can serve both students and working professionals alike, starting at only RM89 a month. 

Who Exactly Is Rentalworks? 

Founded in 2007, Rentalworks is an IT Asset Lifecycle Management Service Provider. Taking a circular economy approach, they specialise in assisting businesses to finance, lease, maintain, and refresh IT devices such as desktops, laptops, smartphones, tablets, and other tech accessories through an environmentally sustainable model. At the end of every lease tenure, all IT devices are then processed and refurbished responsibly to a pre-loved status, where its lifecycle is extended and managed. After these IT devices have reached the end of their lifecycle, they will then be sent for recycling. 

Established in Malaysia with footprints in Singapore and Hong Kong, Rentalworks offers a variety of business solutions that include Short-Term and Long-Term Device Leasing, Device as a Service (DaaS), Asset Refresh, and Secure Data Sanitisation Service. 

With their expertise and experience, and a team of professionals from finance, IT, cybersecurity, and logistics backgrounds, they’re now offering their pre-loved laptop rental services directly to consumers. 

Packaged With Dedicated Technical Support

Sometimes, the unexpected does happen. The undeniable blue screen of death pops up, your battery doesn’t last for more than an hour, or the lag is just driving you crazy. In a normal situation, you’d be desperately googling how to fix your laptop or making the dreaded trip to the repair shop.

With Rentalworks, all devices are bundled with Rentalworks Premium Support which includes dedicated technical support and service, so you won’t have to go through all the trouble by yourself. May it be a hardware or software issue, with Rentalworks Premium Support, your rented device is covered. 

Flexible Tenures For Your Budget

If you’re a student with two or more years ahead of you, or at the starting point of your career, you may be prioritising staying thrifty for the first few years or months until you’re earning a substantial amount to purchase a personal laptop. 

Until then, renting a laptop with Rentalworks does allow you to improve your cash flow and focus on saving while staying on top of your work with a reliable laptop. With flexible tenures of 12, 18, and 24 months, you can get a laptop depending on your needs and your budget.

From a cost perspective, imagine that you’d only be spending RM89 a month for a high-quality Intel i5 5th Generation preloved laptop for either study or work, compared to purchasing a laptop that could deteriorate and lose its value quickly, this would make a viable option for those interested in a subscription model. Moreover, you can always have the option to switch to a different laptop model depending on your needs and budget. 

Source: https://vulcanpost.com/779112/rentalworks-malaysia-laptop-leasing-company-eco-friendly/

Top Channel DaaS Partner 2021

Rentalworks Sdn Bhd awarded “Top Channel DaaS Partner 2021”

Rentalworks Group is proud to be awarded with the Lenovo Accelerate’21 Top Channel DaaS Partner for the achievements of its Malaysian franchise. The Award is one of the industry’s leading and highly anticipated awards, recognising the achievements of Lenovo’s partners.

“The award is a testament of our resilience, strength and innovation in meeting the needs of Small Medium Businesses particularly in this challenging period”, says Alan Puah, Managing Director of Rentalworks Group. “Our innovative end-to-end IT asset lifecycle management ‘Device- as-a-Service’ ( DaaS ) packaged along with our lease-to-use solutions have enabled many businesses to manage their operating costs and maintain productivity with the latest IT devices”

“In addition, Rentalworks has empowered businesses in embracing a circular economy through the adoption of a DaaS business model” added Alan.

Here’s a solution for M’sian businesses to save on IT costs & go green simultaneously

The way we work has changed. More than ever, we’re dependent on our laptops, phones, PCs, and other devices, especially with the accelerated digital shift that’s happened over the past 2 years.

At Vulcan Post, Lark and Gather.town have become crucial tools for us to virtually stay connected while WFH.

But just having a device doesn’t cut it, there are certain specs that it needs to have in order to properly run all the new-fangled communication platforms needed for efficient working.

Taking my own 6-year-old laptop as an example, not only is it super slow when attempting to call someone on Lark, but when using Gather.town, there are times when the app blacks out completely because my laptop simply can’t cope.

I must admit that the slowness of my laptop can be infuriating when I’m trying to be efficient with my time and work, and many other company employees may share my frustrations.

From this, the solution seems clear—just get a better device. Yet, in trying to upgrade our devices, more issues may be unearthed, particularly for organisations that need to digitally equip their large workforces.

Scenario 1: As a business owner trying to scale your business, you need better devices for efficient operations, but you’re unsure of the most suitable models for your needs while sticking to a budget. 

Scenario 2: You’ve bought your IT team great laptops and devices and your operations are going smoother than ever, but the maintenance costs to keep those devices efficient are much higher than expected.

The question then is, are there already solutions for these new-age problems?

It’s not as difficult as you’d think

There is one, and it doesn’t involve hiring a tech consultant or a financial advisor per se. It’s a service with a simple proposition: laptop leasing, with end-to-end management.

Laptop leasing is an alternative to buying, whereby the term of the lease is for a fixed period with fixed periodic repayments and no hidden costs.

Leasing IT assets brings several benefits, including:

  • Optimising your company’s tech costs,
  • Diversifying your procurement options,
  • Taking inventory management off your shoulders,
  • Providing up-to-date firmware and cybersecurity, and more.

One such service provider offering laptop leasing services in Malaysia is Rentalworks, a provider of IT asset lifecycle management services.

To break it down, they curate the right devices for your team, procure them, and maintain them throughout their lifecycle.

This lowers the initial capital needed to upgrade your device line-up. Plus, with proper maintenance carried out by Rentalworks, you can save money and time by avoiding operational down-time.

The goal is to extend your devices’ lifespans, yet make switching to a newer line-up as easy as possible too.

At the end of the day, a laptop leasing service with end-to-end management of IT assets aims to empower you to benefit from top-of-the-line devices more affordably, anytime you want to.

But what happens when your devices reach the end of their lifecycles and you want to get rid of them? Will they just become e-waste? 

A cost-efficient and eco-conscious solution

Apart from extending the longevity of devices, Rentalworks can also help companies offload unwanted devices which can then be reused or scrapped sustainably.

IT assets with no more market value will be recycled by breaking down their components into categorised parts such as ferrous metals, precious metals, and plastics.

On the other hand, for a device to be reused, Rentalworks will carry out secure data sanitisation to ensure that an organisation’s sensitive and confidential data is properly destroyed.

All these efforts to handle an IT asset’s end of life are part of the company’s mission to enable early adoption of the circular economy.

The concept of the circular economy is not one that can be fully understood in brief. But put simply, it intends to retain as much value as possible from products, parts, and materials, from the start to the end of their lifecycles, and then to reintroduce them back into the market.

This maximises their potential while reducing (and perhaps one day, eliminating) the waste generated when they’re no longer used. 

Ultimately though, if a company wants to be rid of these many processes, leasing is one of the easiest solutions to adopt.

Curated models for office workers’ productivity

In Rentalworks’ catalogue, one of the laptop models it is having an exclusive lease offer for is the HP ProBook 440 G8, noted by reviewers to be a robust office laptop.

Kept in a compact, light, and slim chassis is a long-lasting battery, high-speed SSD, and powerful processor that ensure your laptop can keep going efficiently through data-heavy work and long hours.

Cybersecurity-wise, HP also assures that the HP ProBook 440 comes with multi-layered, commercial-grade security features to keep your business’ data under tight wraps.

This is just one model of the IT asset line-up that Rentalworks can offer, and with the benefits outlined above, it is possible to marry cost-efficient IT asset management and eco-friendly practices.

Source: https://vulcanpost.com/779112/rentalworks-malaysia-laptop-leasing-company-eco-friendly/