Need new computers? Don't buy, just lease
Do you need the latest technology? Then think twice before buying anything, as a new concept is taking root in Malta. Instead of buying the hardware which in a few years' time will need to be upgraded or replaced altogether, a business organisation can...
Do you need the latest technology? Then think twice before buying anything, as a new concept is taking root in Malta. Instead of buying the hardware which in a few years' time will need to be upgraded or replaced altogether, a business organisation can lease the equipment at a fraction of the cost, while still being able to make full use of the equipment.
The first major adopter of PC leasing in Malta is the government which in 2007 issued a call for tender for the leasing of 15,000 computers for the civil service which were subsequently installed last year. Around 12,000 of these computers were provided by Smart Technologies Ltd, created as a joint venture between four of Malta's largest group of companies: Demajo Holdings, Forestals Investments, Hili Company Ltd and VJ Salomone Group.
These represent some of the most important IT brands in the world such as Apple, Sony, HP, Lenovo, Fujitsu Siemens and Microsoft.
"The ubiquitous use of ICT in all levels of industry is the result of the fact that technology is becoming a fundamental pillar for all categories of business," explained to i-Tech Joseph Aquilina, chief executive officer of Smart Technologies Ltd. "This means that the success of a company and the maintenance of high levels of competitiveness depend on the upkeep of the latest technology. This constant need, together with the advancements in the use of ICT gave life to Smart Technologies."
There are many advantages for leasing equipment as opposed to direct buying, he added.
"We can offer a choice of equipment the organisation would require. The company which opts for leasing will enjoy a virtually 10 percent financing. The equipment required will be acquired without any major cash outlay. This in turn assists the company to deal better with budget restrictions. From a financial stand point, we believe that the leasing concept is the least expensive approach to get the latest equipment."
The decision whether to enter into a leasing agreement or buy the hardware is based on an organisation's business needs. Leasing can be a better alternative to purchasing, especially in IT, where the technology changes during a short number of years. Many companies upgrade their technology every two-to-three years due to shifts in the ever evolving technological environments. Other companies see leasing as an option as it provides a feasible option to bolster competitive advantage. Regardless of motivation, leasing empowers a company to easily replace and upgrade obsolete technology without worrying about initial acquisition costs or how to dispose of it.
However, Mr Aquilina insists that PC leasing is not just a question of getting hardware at low cost. There is an important planning and implementation stage.
"We support organisations by assisting them in the development of business focused processes and governance models. These are designed to support new solutions or developing effective approach to ongoing support and maintenance requirements. Our approach is a lifecycle approach. Planning, building, running and monitoring the implementation are the steps which form the prism through which we see our projects. As a result, we also developed IT Outsourcing which focuses on mapping the individual stages of this framework, creating efficiencies and improving effectiveness at every step along the way."
Smart Technologies Ltd is pushing forward the concept of leasing in Malta beyond the civil service and into the private sector, and the feedback so far is positive.
"Although we are still in the early days, we are really satisfied and enthusiastic about the outcome," revealed Mr Aquilina. "The Maltese businessman is more and more developing the idea of outsourcing non-core activities which will grant him better visibility of the core business and operation, and give him cost reduction in administration. Since we package our leasing options with different levels of services we are confident that sooner than later, the local market will start to experiment more with the concept of PC leasing."
http://www.stl.com.mt
The first major adopter of PC leasing in Malta is the government which in 2007 issued a call for tender for the leasing of 15,000 computers for the civil service which were subsequently installed last year. Around 12,000 of these computers were provided by Smart Technologies Ltd, created as a joint venture between four of Malta's largest group of companies: Demajo Holdings, Forestals Investments, Hili Company Ltd and VJ Salomone Group.
These represent some of the most important IT brands in the world such as Apple, Sony, HP, Lenovo, Fujitsu Siemens and Microsoft.
"The ubiquitous use of ICT in all levels of industry is the result of the fact that technology is becoming a fundamental pillar for all categories of business," explained to i-Tech Joseph Aquilina, chief executive officer of Smart Technologies Ltd. "This means that the success of a company and the maintenance of high levels of competitiveness depend on the upkeep of the latest technology. This constant need, together with the advancements in the use of ICT gave life to Smart Technologies."
There are many advantages for leasing equipment as opposed to direct buying, he added.
"We can offer a choice of equipment the organisation would require. The company which opts for leasing will enjoy a virtually 10 percent financing. The equipment required will be acquired without any major cash outlay. This in turn assists the company to deal better with budget restrictions. From a financial stand point, we believe that the leasing concept is the least expensive approach to get the latest equipment."
The decision whether to enter into a leasing agreement or buy the hardware is based on an organisation's business needs. Leasing can be a better alternative to purchasing, especially in IT, where the technology changes during a short number of years. Many companies upgrade their technology every two-to-three years due to shifts in the ever evolving technological environments. Other companies see leasing as an option as it provides a feasible option to bolster competitive advantage. Regardless of motivation, leasing empowers a company to easily replace and upgrade obsolete technology without worrying about initial acquisition costs or how to dispose of it.
However, Mr Aquilina insists that PC leasing is not just a question of getting hardware at low cost. There is an important planning and implementation stage.
"We support organisations by assisting them in the development of business focused processes and governance models. These are designed to support new solutions or developing effective approach to ongoing support and maintenance requirements. Our approach is a lifecycle approach. Planning, building, running and monitoring the implementation are the steps which form the prism through which we see our projects. As a result, we also developed IT Outsourcing which focuses on mapping the individual stages of this framework, creating efficiencies and improving effectiveness at every step along the way."
Smart Technologies Ltd is pushing forward the concept of leasing in Malta beyond the civil service and into the private sector, and the feedback so far is positive.
"Although we are still in the early days, we are really satisfied and enthusiastic about the outcome," revealed Mr Aquilina. "The Maltese businessman is more and more developing the idea of outsourcing non-core activities which will grant him better visibility of the core business and operation, and give him cost reduction in administration. Since we package our leasing options with different levels of services we are confident that sooner than later, the local market will start to experiment more with the concept of PC leasing."
http://www.stl.com.mt