For years, network equipment has sat in an awkward middle ground.
Not as obviously sensitive as storage. Not as simple as desktops or laptops. And often written off as too fiddly to deal with properly.
As a result, routers, switches, firewalls and access points have traditionally followed one of three paths:
- Sold on “as-is” with basic uncertified factory reset
- Traded to a downstream partner who claims a valid sanitisation process
- Written off entirely and sent for destruction
Both routes feel expedient. Neither is economically sound anymore.
In 2026, the numbers tell a different story.
Network devices hold more value than most operators realise
Enterprise networking hardware is built for longevity. Five‑, seven‑, even ten‑year operational lifespans are common in production environments. That durability doesn’t suddenly disappear at decommissioning.
Market data from the secondary IT hardware sector shows that refurbished enterprise switches and routers regularly retain 30–60% of the original list price, depending on vendor, model and condition. In some cases, particularly with supply‑constrained models, residual values can be even higher.
Yet many organisations never realise that value.
Why?
Because reuse only works when devices are processed consistently, securely and at scale.
The hidden cost of manual processing
Historically, network reuse has been labour‑heavy:
- Console access
- Vendor‑specific commands
- Manual resets and config wipes
- Ad‑hoc testing
- Inconsistent record‑keeping
That manual effort carries real cost.
Internal time studies across ITAD and refurbishment operations typically show 20–60 minutes of technician time per device when handled manually, often more when exceptions arise. Multiply that by labour rates, training overhead, and rework caused by human error, and margins evaporate quickly.
In many cases, organisations conclude that network reuse “isn’t worth it” not because the devices lack value, but because the process leaks cost.
Risk changes the economics completely
Cost is only half the equation. Risk is the multiplier.
Modern network devices routinely contain:
- Stored credentials and certificates
- VLAN and routing tables
- IP addressing schemes
- Site and customer identifiers
- Historical configuration files
A single mis‑sanitised switch can expose more about an environment than a stack of wiped hard drives.
Regulatory frameworks and industry standards have caught up with this reality. Data protection obligations no longer distinguish neatly between “storage” and “network” assets; they focus on data exposure, regardless of form factor.
From an economic perspective, one failure can:
- Invalidate an entire resale batch
- Trigger audit failures
- Destroy downstream buyer confidence
- Introduce reputational and contractual risk far exceeding the device value itself
When risk is factored properly, inconsistent processes are no longer cheap; they’re expensive.
Standardisation is where reuse becomes profitable
The economics shift decisively when network processing moves from manual craft to repeatable process.
Automated testing and data sanitisation change three things at once:
- Labour efficiency
Technician involvement drops from active configuration work to supervised throughput. Multiple devices can be processed in parallel, with predictable cycle times. - Outcome consistency
Every device follows the same test and erase path, removing variation between technicians, sites or shifts. - Audit and traceability
Verifiable logs and reports support resale, compliance and customer assurance without additional admin overhead.
When these elements are in place, network devices stop being exceptions and start behaving like any other reusable asset class — with measurable margin.
Throughput beats volume
A common misconception is that network reuse only makes sense at high volumes.
In practice, predictable throughput matters more than raw numbers.
Even small batches processed efficiently:
- Reduce queue time in operations
- Improve resale readiness
- Prevent value decay caused by delays
Operators processing as few as 10–20 devices per month can justify structured network workflows when labour savings, risk reduction and recovered resale value are considered together.
Reuse isn’t about scale alone. It’s about control.
Why the economics look different now
Three market shifts have changed the equation:
- Supply chain volatility has increased demand for refurbished enterprise networking gear
- Sustainability targets are pushing reuse higher up the decision stack
- Audit scrutiny has made undocumented processes commercially risky
Together, these forces reward organisations that can demonstrate both security and efficiency.
Turning network devices into assets, not liabilities
The real economics of network device reuse aren’t theoretical.
They show up in:
- Lower processing cost per unit
- Higher resale realisation
- Reduced exception handling
- Fewer compliance headaches
- Stronger buyer confidence
The gap between destruction and reuse is no longer technical; it’s procedural.
When network devices are treated with the same discipline as storage, the numbers start to make sense.
That’s where solutions like Hydra fits here: not as a silver bullet, but as an operational tool designed to remove friction, reduce risk and make network device reuse commercially viable.
Not hype. Not theory.
Just better economics.
