Price increases across the IT market aren’t slowing down. Between supply chain instability, component shortages, and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) pricing shifts, IT leaders are being forced to do more with less, without sacrificing performance or reliability. The good news is, there are practical ways to stay ahead of these increases without overhauling your entire environment.
Consider Pre-Owned Hardware
High-quality, properly tested pre-owned hardware often performs comparably to new for a fraction of the price. Curvature’s failure data from 2024-2025 shows a 0.8% total technical RMA rate across all units sold1. Additionally, pre-owned hardware can be 50–90% below market pricing, making it an effective way to control costs. Since pricing isn’t tied to OEM list price hikes, the market is more flexible, giving you more control over what you pay. Beyond cost savings, pre-owned hardware also helps solve availability challenges. While new equipment can come with long lead times, pre-owned options are often in stock and ready to ship.
The key is working with a provider that follows strict testing and quality assurance standards. Look for vendors with ISO 27001 (information security management) and ISO 9001 (quality management) certifications. R2v3 and ISO 14001 indicate proper environmental management and responsible recycling of hardware and IT infrastructure. When properly vetted, pre-owned hardware becomes a reliable, low-risk option rather than a compromise.
Maximize Creative Solutions and Flexible Bill of Materials (BOM)
Capitalize on market opportunities by clearly defining your project scope while staying flexible on parts and configurations. As supply chains tighten, avoid fixating on specific part numbers; instead explore alternative SKUs or equivalent models in the same category. For example, a server component can have multiple SKUs (though always verify compatibility to ensure proper function).
- Target PN: XXXX
- Alternative PNs: YYYY, ZZZZ (same physical item, direct substitutes, often more available)
As an IT professional, you may be limited by which OEMs, specific product lines, or models your company has standardized on and can consider for a project. However, keep in mind that there are usually still options and substitutes that may be cheaper or more available in the market than the models you first requested. Partnering with vendors who maintain deep market data can help identify alternative solutions. Expert BOM builders can help you vet options thoroughly, so you don’t have to dig through datasheets yourself.
Plan Ahead for New OEM Equipment
If you do need brand-new OEM gear, planning ahead is critical. Pricing can fluctuate based on component costs, demand, and product lifecycle stages, so timing matters more than ever. For example, memory pricing has been rising due to manufacturers shifting production to next-generation technologies like DDR5, greatly reducing DDR4 supply.
Working with a trusted vendor that understands both new and pre-owned supply chains can help you forecast pricing, manage lead times, and avoid unnecessary delays. This includes identifying when to buy ahead of demand spikes, locking in pricing where possible, and aligning purchases with project timelines.
It’s also worth considering a more diversified approach to vendors and solutions. Relying too heavily on a single OEM can expose you to sudden price increases or availability issues. A proactive procurement strategy reduces that risk and keeps projects on track.
Leverage Third-Party Maintenance (TPM)
If upgrades aren’t necessary, TPM is a practical solution to keep End-of-Service-Life gear supported. TPM extends the life of your existing hardware — whether it’s current or previous generation — without forcing a costly refresh. For example, Park Place Technologies will support your infrastructure until you’re ready for new equipment.
Customers who transition to Park Place TPM typically save 30–40% on maintenance costs, but the value goes beyond savings. TPM lets you stay in control of your upgrade timeline instead of being forced by OEM support deadlines.
Hybrid support models are also available for companies that need some level of OEM coverage. Critical systems can remain under OEM support, while less critical infrastructure is covered under TPM. This approach balances risk, cost, and performance without overcommitting budget where it isn’t needed. According to 360 Research Reports, in the United States, nearly 30% of medium and large enterprises (roughly 4,500) rely on multi-vendor IT support services as of 20242. If your current equipment still meets performance needs, TPM is a straightforward way to keep it supported and operational.
Sell or Trade-In Surplus Gear
Unused IT equipment from past upgrades or canceled projects doesn’t need to sit idle. Selling or trading in surplus gear is an easy way to recover value and reinvest it into future initiatives.
For bulk equipment, working with an IT asset disposition (ITAD) provider ensures secure handling, proper data destruction, and responsible disposal. This protects your organization and supports sustainability efforts by reducing e-waste.
Timing also plays a role. Hardware tends to retain more value before it reaches End-of-Life milestones, so offloading equipment earlier can lead to better returns. For smaller, one-off sales, platforms like eBay, Reddit, or specialty resellers can be useful for quick transactions. Either way, turning unused assets into working capital helps offset rising costs elsewhere in your environment.
Take a Mix-and-Match Approach
There’s no single solution to managing price hikes in the IT market. The most effective strategy is a mix of pre-owned hardware, new OEM equipment, and TPM.
A blended approach allows you to allocate budget where it matters most and reduces dependency on any single vendor or pricing model, giving you more control as the market continues to shift.
Managing IT costs today isn’t about cutting corners. It’s about making informed decisions across the entire hardware lifecycle. With the right combination of solutions, you can stay ahead of price increases while keeping your infrastructure stable, supported, and ready to scale.
Together, Curvature and Park Place offer pre-owned hardware, new-in-box hardware, and TPM, giving you end-to-end support.
Contact us if you have any questions.
Citations:
1 Internal Curvature RMA data (2024–2025).
2 360 Research Reports. Multi-Vendor IT Support Services Market Size, Share, Growth, and Industry Analysis. https://www.360researchreports.com/market-reports/multi-vendor-it-support-services-market-209252
