The fastest and most reliable way to respond to constrained chip availability is not to compete harder for new supply, but to unlock the value already embedded in existing technology.

IDC research confirms that global memory shortages will intensify through 2026 as DRAM and NAND production is prioritised for AI and hyperscale infrastructure.

Rising prices, longer lead times, and constrained availability are already impacting PCs, servers, and enterprise devices.

The shortage is structural, not temporary, and it is exposing the limits of a procurement strategy built only around new equipment.

Businesses that assumed supply would always be abundant are discovering that assumption was dangerously naive.

Qrent provides the practical response that the market demands. By enabling structured refurbishment, intelligent reuse, and lifecycle extension, the company allows organisations to reclaim capacity that would otherwise be discarded or wasted.

Every redeployed or optimised device reduces dependence on volatile chip markets and mitigates the operational risks caused by scarcity.

Equally important, supported by its asset tracking software, Qrent also delivers visibility across technology estates.

Organisations gain insight into what they already own, what can be reused, and what genuinely requires replacement.

This prevents unnecessary procurement driven by outdated assumptions and reactive strategies. In a market where memory pricing is volatile and supply is prioritised for AI workloads, such intelligence is no longer optional – it is critical for survival.

Kwirirai Rukowo, managing executive of Qrent, says the global chip shortage is less a failure of supply but the need for a more resilient sourcing strategy.

“Waiting for fabrication capacity to restore normal conditions is a losing proposition. IDC data suggests that even as production expands, AI and hyperscale demand will continue to dominate supply.”

Businesses that do not act now to optimise, reuse, and manage existing assets will remain exposed, paying more for less, while competitors who act strategically gain resilience.

He says the chip shortage is not just a temporary inconvenience – it is a reckoning.

“Qrent ensures organisations can turn refurbished assets into operational strength, reduce exposure to constrained markets, and maintain performance in a world where scarcity has become the new normal.”

“The fastest and most reliable way to survive is not to chase supply. It is to reclaim what already exists and Qrent makes that possible,” he concludes.

With the outsourcing space becoming increasingly cutthroat, BPOs find themselves trapped in a relentless race to the bottom.

Aggressive pricing demands from clients and undercutting by low-cost competitors leave local operators with no choice but to sacrifice margins just to stay in the game.

Despite 76% of BPO leaders prioritising scalable, on-demand IT, many still rely on outdated, capital-heavy procurement.

Margins are down to just 10–15%, with inflation, and global instability squeezing them further. IDC warns global IT spend could drop to just 4% under extended trade tensions.

Yet in places like Cape Town and KwaZulu-Natal, bids often differ by only a few rand. Clients treat BPOs as commodities, and everyone ends up cutting just to stay competitive. Innovation suffers, and the profit bleed continues.

This race to the bottom leaves little room for innovation or sustainable practices, cost‑cutting becomes the only goal.

According to a 2024 BPO industry report, companies are increasingly expected to “do more with less,” seeking cheaper outsourcing destinations as inflation pressures consultants and clients alike.

Many BPOs worsen the problem by buying hardware outright, locking up capital and exposing themselves to price shocks. Lead times of 4–6 weeks make it impossible to scale fast for seasonal spikes, leaving providers unprepared and overstretched.

Renting refurbished equipment offers a way out. It can reduce IT costs by 30–50%, smooth out budgets, and deliver real-time scalability.

Qrent, for instance, can deploy new infrastructure in 5 days, or 48 hours in urgent cases. No more overprovisioning or panic-buying.

Crucially, renting also protects BPOs from inflation and tariffs by fixing costs and removing the need for large upfront investments. Add rising ESG scrutiny, and traditional ownership becomes a liability. Qrent’s circular model allows clients to meet sustainability goals without sacrificing performance or flexibility.

Time to rewrite the playbook

The BPO industry stands at a crossroads. We can keep playing the suicidal pricing game – where every new deal erodes our margins further – or we can demand smarter solutions. The data and 2025 forecasts make it clear: doing nothing is not an option.

Leading BPOs are already breaking ranks by rethinking IT strategy. They’re partnering with IT hardware specialists like Qrent to ditch bloated capex plans, shore up profits, and even win bids by offering more (sustainability, flexibility) for less.

It’s a contentious stance, but perhaps that’s what this debate needs. Yes, some will call it radical to stop buying and start renting so aggressively.

But when every Rand counts, moderation is a luxury we cannot afford. We should be asking ourselves: why pay full price for equipment we don’t fully use? Why accept supply delays that inflate hidden costs?

In the end, providers who cling to outdated models will find themselves outpaced by leaner, more adaptive peers.

The real controversy isn’t saying renting and circular IT are better – it’s that we’ve made it this far without making the switch. If 2024/25 teaches BPOs anything, it’s that survival favours the bold.

It’s time to lean in, cut the lines that drain our margins, and lead our industry with smarter, greener solutions.

Consumers and businesses are constantly striving for the latest and greatest technology. However, behind the pursuit of cutting-edge devices lies a significant environmental toll – one that often goes unnoticed.

The production of new technology requires vast amounts of natural resources, energy, and labour, contributing to both environmental degradation and significant carbon emissions.

With concerns about sustainability at an all-time high, companies are now looking for ways to reduce their environmental impact without compromising on performance or innovation.

Refurbished tech, such as the solutions offered by Qrent, presents an effective, affordable, and eco-friendly alternative.

The refurbished computers and laptops market is set for remarkable expansion, driven by both cost-effectiveness and a growing commitment to sustainability.

According to Credence Research, the market is projected to surge from USD 17,856.6 million in 2024 to USD 39,405 million by 2032, achieving a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.4% during the forecast period.

This growth underlines the increasing adoption of refurbished IT equipment by businesses, educational institutions, and individual consumers as they seek to balance performance with environmental responsibility.

The rising trend not only helps organisations reduce capital expenditures but also supports circular economy initiatives by extending the lifecycle of electronic products

As businesses face increasing pressure to meet environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals, refurbished tech is fast becoming a preferred choice for companies looking to cut costs while reducing their carbon footprints.

At Qrent, businesses can access high-quality, refurbished IT equipment that meets the demands of modern enterprises while simultaneously supporting sustainability initiatives.

The company provides a range of refurbished devices including computers, laptops, and servers, ensuring that businesses can operate efficiently while minimising their environmental impact.

These devices are thoroughly tested and restored to like-new condition, offering the same reliability and performance as their brand-new counterparts but with a fraction of the carbon footprint.

Refurbished tech and the circular economy

The transition to a circular economy – a system that emphasises reusing, recycling, and remanufacturing – has become a critical strategy in tackling the world’s waste crisis.

The electronics industry is one of the largest contributors to this crisis, with e-waste being the fastest-growing waste stream globally.

By choosing refurbished technology from Qrent, businesses contribute directly to the circular economy. When companies choose to refurbish and extend the lifecycle of their IT devices, they prevent valuable resources from ending up in landfills and reduce the demand for new products, thereby conserving raw materials and decreasing pollution.

Qrent’s refurbishment process includes the responsible recycling of old components and ensures that all equipment is brought back to life in an eco-friendly manner. This not only helps in reducing waste but also plays a significant role in limiting the environmental impact of tech manufacturing.

Embracing circular economy strategies not only prolongs the lifespan of IT assets but also significantly cuts down the need for new manufacturing – thereby reducing carbon emissions.

The 2024 Forrester Report on The Circular Economy & Sustainable Manufacturing reveals that a substantial share of firms are already reaping sustainability benefits: 38% have adopted innovative delivery and fulfilment options that minimise waste, 32% are improving waste management practices, and 28% are focusing on more efficient material sourcing.

By opting for refurbished technology, companies can leverage these practices to lower reliance on virgin materials and the high emissions associated with producing new devices, marking a crucial step toward a greener, more sustainable IT procurement model.

Attaining your sustainability goals

Qrent provides businesses with sustainable IT solutions. The company not only supplies refurbished technology but also offers a comprehensive range of services that include equipment leasing, IT asset management, and secure data destruction.

Businesses can now gain access to a scalable solution that meets their IT needs while simultaneously supporting their ESG initiatives.

The company’s commitment to reducing e-waste is evident in its emphasis on responsible recycling and disposal practices.

When companies dispose their old IT equipment with Qrent through their IT Asset Disposal Solution, they can be confident that their devices will be decommissioned properly and reused, ensuring that valuable materials like metals, plastics, and glass are recovered and re-entered into the manufacturing cycle.

This process prevents toxic substances from polluting the environment and ensures that e-waste is managed in a safe, responsible manner.

InnoVent, an IT rental and asset management solutions provider, says the answer may be sitting right on their desks.

Now, through a unique partnership with Circular Computing, the company is making it easier than ever for African organisations to decarbonise their IT estate with certified carbon-neutral laptops.

IT infrastructure is a major contributor to corporate emissions, yet it remains one of the most overlooked levers for carbon reduction.

“Carbon tax is no longer a compliance checkbox – it’s a financial pressure point,” says Kwirirai Rukowo, managing executive at Qrent, the IT remarketing division of InnoVent. “The true cost of IT is no longer just about rands and cents. It’s about emissions, accountability, and impact.”

Unlike conventional ‘refurbished’ laptops, which vary wildly in quality and offer no environmental guarantees, Circular Computing’s remanufactured laptops are built to the highest global sustainability standards and come with full carbon-neutral certification – a crucial differentiator in today’s regulatory environment.

This means every device procured through InnoVent directly reduces a company’s carbon liability, while still delivering enterprise-grade performance and reliability.

With the expanded scope of the carbon tax placing indirect emissions (Scope 3) under greater scrutiny, IT buyers are being held accountable not just for usage, but for the full lifecycle impact of their equipment.

“We’re not talking about wishful greenwashing here,” Rukowo explains. “These machines are backed by verifiable data, a remanufacturing process with 360 stages, and third-party certified to be carbon neutral. That’s a real, reportable offset CIOs can take to the boardroom.”

In a market crowded with “refurbished” tech, this level of transparency and quality assurance is rare. For African organisations looking to future-proof their IT investments against tightening carbon regulation, it’s a game-changing advantage.

Beyond tax compliance, the shift toward low-emission IT also plays a key role in helping businesses achieve their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals – without compromising performance or budget.

“Smart procurement is now sustainability-led,” says Rukowo. “Every time a business chooses a carbon-neutral laptop from us, they’re not just reducing emissions – they’re supporting the circular economy, cutting e-waste, and even contributing to global water access through our charity partnerships.”

With exclusive rights to distribute Circular Computing devices in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Zambia, InnoVent is leading the way in enabling sustainable IT adoption across the continent.

As emissions targets tighten and tax burdens rise, InnoVent is urging forward-thinking CIOs to take control of their carbon roadmap now.

“There’s no need to wait for penalties to hit the bottom line,” Rukowo concludes. “The solutions are available. The impact is measurable. And the time is now.”