News and Insights – October 2023

Rethinking Device Lifecycle Management for Better ROI

Managing company devices isn’t just about keeping track of laptops. It’s about optimising how devices are deployed, supported, secured, and eventually retired. With hybrid work becoming the norm in New Zealand, SMBs need more structured approaches to device lifecycle management (DLM) to control costs, enhance productivity, and reduce risk.

October is an ideal time to review your device environment—before year-end budgets are finalised. Are your current practices helping or hindering your goals?

📦 The 5 Key Stages of Device Lifecycle

A mature DLM process typically includes:

• Procurement: Standardising models and vendors for pricing and compatibility
• Provisioning: Imaging, configuration, and policy-based deployment
• Support: Maintenance, updates, and repair options
• Security: Encryption, remote wipe, and asset tracking
• Retirement: Data destruction and disposal or repurposing

🔎 Common Gaps in Lifecycle Management

• Purchases made ad hoc without visibility or approval
• No asset register or tracking process
• Inconsistent device configuration or software versions
• Devices used beyond supported lifecycle, creating risk

When lifecycle is left unmanaged, organisations pay more in lost time, support effort, and unplanned capital outlay.

📋 Here is the Device Lifecycle Planning Checklist

We’ve created a quick-reference checklist to help SMBs assess their current DLM practices and identify improvement opportunities:

• Procurement standards
• Setup and imaging process
• Tracking and asset documentation
• Support options and response times
• Security controls and retirement plans

Here is the Device Lifecycle Planning Checklist

💼 How Virtus Group Can Help

We work with New Zealand SMEs to modernise device strategies that balance performance, security, and cost. Whether you're managing 10 or 500 devices, we help bring structure and visibility into the full lifecycle.

• Device policy development and refresh planning
• Procurement and vendor negotiation
• Asset tracking and inventory platforms
• Secure disposal and retirement workflows

Let’s take your device environment from reactive to strategic—supporting both IT and business goals.