It’s Not Easy Being Green

Anyone who watched the television show “Seinfeld” probably remembers the episode in which Jerry tried to pick up a car he had rented, only to discover that the company had not held the vehicle for him. “See, you know how to take the reservation,” he told the rental agent in frustration. “You just don't know how to hold the reservation, and that's really the most important part of the reservation … the holding.”

When I think of this scene, it reminds me of the ability of modern enterprises to uphold “green” initiatives in the corporate world of cost cutting and quick decision making. Any company can claim to be green. But when you take a closer look at company practices, things are not always what they seem. This is especially problematic when the company’s line of work is helping other enterprises properly dispose of their retired IT assets.

How often do we read about sham recyclers … those that claim to be environmentally friendly but ultimately send e-waste to developing countries? It is much easier to fill up a container and ship IT assets to another country than to take the numerous and costly steps to ensure that equipment is properly recycled in the United States. Some of the latest headlines demonstrate that even the companies that are trying to be green can still be tempted to take dangerous “shortcuts.”

Being green takes a serious commitment. It is not a label to use when it is convenient and ignore when it is not. A commitment to the environment and sustainability must be inherent in the company’s idealistic mission and concrete processes. It can mean that your costs are higher and your business processes more complicated. For Converge, it means that we hold ourselves accountable to a strict no-landfill, no-e-waste-export policy. Every employee and downstream partner knows about our environmental commitment and understands that we take no shortcuts. Every vendor is strictly vetted and regularly audited to ensure that they are handling e-waste the correct way. It isn’t easy, but it’s the right thing to do.

At Converge, we do all the legwork so our customers don’t have to worry about a thing. Whether they want to remarket, redeploy, or donate end-of-life IT assets, we help them make the best decision. And when IT equipment has no residual value, we make certain that every asset is properly recycled so that none of it ends up in a landfill or overseas. Our customers are able to uphold their green promises, often returning money to their bottom line in the process … and we are all able to feel good about what we are doing to protect this world that our grandchildren stand to inherit.

This is why I am excited to announce that Converge has been named a 2010 Green Supply Award winner by Supply & Demand Chain Executive magazine. We have been recognized for our ability to help global enterprises identify the best strategies for end-of-life IT assets and at the same time meet their sustainability goals. Unfortunately, this recognition probably won’t be written about in major newspapers, but it is certainly news worth sharing. And it is an accomplishment to be proud of.

After all, as a famous Muppet once said, “It’s not easy being green.” We couldn’t agree more. But it is easy to ask Converge to do the hard work for you. It’s what we do. And we love it.

Providing Value and Quality in a Shortage Market

Electronic component shortages can virtually stop production lines, resulting in substantial loss of productivity and revenue. Shortages only add to the struggles of manufacturers in already-challenging economic times. Unfortunately, in a shortage environment, many manufacturers are forced to search for supply in the open market, leaving them vulnerable to counterfeit or suspect parts.

In this market, more than ever, you need a reputable independent distribution partner that you can trust to eliminate quality concerns, improve lead times, and keep the manufacturing process flowing.

Finding the right partner -- one with years of expertise in securing quality products from carefully screened suppliers -- is an invaluable benefit to companies looking for a competitive advantage.

A vendor with a comprehensive database and sourcing strategy can offer customers the right parts at the right time, even in a shortage market. Having a global footprint is all about the reach from a sourcing, service and delivery standpoint.

Customers also need to feel secure about the partners they use and the quality of products provided. Having a rigorous incoming inspection process so that suspect parts never enter the channel is key.

Overall, customers should be working with companies that comply with IDEA standards. Ideally, you should work with a firm that has certified electronic component engineers in house so they participate in the authenticity process. If a company is not willing to make the investment in engineering resources, that should be a red flag and a deal killer for you.

At Converge, quality is our top priority. We have an unmatched track record of quality in the industry and an established anti-counterfeit prevention program.

So here is my parting thought for customers in a shortage market.

Find a supply chain partner with a proven track record, and conduct an audit to meet them face to face. Make sure they can execute globally and that they are willing to invest in the partnership. They should also have commodity expertise and a global footprint so they can provide you with quality products and rapid fulfillment.

Work to form a long-term partnership that will ensure your quality objectives are met and your supply chain runs smoothly. And in the end, you’ll have proven confidence in your supply and in your supplier.