Procurri has long worked with businesses to mitigate and manage the risk and escalating costs of IT data center equipment as it ages – but now, it looks as though the age may not be the only risk factor to those reliant on tech.
Businesses more than ever are reliant on IT and increasing levels of automated technology. Computer chips can be found in just about everything from smartphones and watches to cars and consoles. However, as everyone sees in the news, there is now a worldwide chip shortage. While the economy and manufacturing process is stabilizing as vaccination programs roll out and infection rates drop, demand still considerably outstrips supplies, and businesses are still struggling to accumulate all they need.
What’s causing the Chip Supply Shortage?
What began as a manufacturer-based supply-and-demand mismatch due to the global disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic has now blossomed into a renewed issue with the supply of both memory chips and semiconductors caused by the explosion in demand for AI systems. Arguably, the problem had only marginally improved before AI systems hit the mainstream – replacing one cause of the shortage with another.
Now, as AI systems such as ChatGPT, Gemini and Copilot go worldwide with consumers, their data centers are bearing the brunt of this increase in demand. Such configurations require enormous quantities of advanced chips and high-bandwidth memory (HBM), placing unprecedented pressure on global semiconductor supply chains. Major manufacturers such as Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron have redirected production toward AI-focused memory products because they generate far higher profits than conventional chips used in laptops, smartphones, and cars.
As a result, supplies of standard DRAM and NAND memory have tightened sharply, increasing costs across consumer electronics and boosting prices. What’s more, this means that the channel is facing a structural imbalance between rapidly growing AI demand and the slower pace of semiconductor manufacturing expansion; as opposed to the previous temporary shortage due to Covid-19. Building new chip fabrication plants requires billions of dollars and several years of construction, meaning relief will likely arrive slowly. Until then, governments and technology companies worldwide are competing aggressively to secure future chip supplies and reduce dependence on a small number of manufacturers.
So, what can non-AI businesses do to secure the hardware they need?
The world’s chip shortage only magnifies the need for IT equipment to work harder and for longer. Organizations face a genuine risk of not being able to access new or appropriate equipment as and when they expect to, which leaves them facing the issue of having hardware malfunction without a resolution to restore service.
While the major manufacturers may be prioritizing big players, Procurri does not. We have the world’s large stockholding of IT hardware spanning new, refurbished and End-Of-Life products, including legacy, rare and complex configurations across all major OEMs. This means that no matter what you need or how difficult it may be to find, Procurri can help you source it.
Such supply options leave businesses with the following options:
- To replace portions of hardware when required with like-for-like products and keep existing configurations in place
- To expand the functionality of hardware when required with complementary products and keep existing configurations in place
- To upgrade hardware to newer options sourced through Procurri.
What’s different about Procurri’s Hardware solutions compared to others?
Procurri’s hardware stockholding boasts several extremely competitive features that set it apart from competitors. This includes:
- Hardware supply of the highest quality, with the same performance and uptime as that of newly manufactured systems guaranteed
- Sustainability is held at the heart of everything we do – so if we can refurbish and reuse, we will always aim to, including via the Procurri Buyback Scheme
- The availability of both short- and long-term hardware rental solutions
- Real-time consultation on the spec of hardware configurations
- Over 500,000 unique parts and over 50,000 different SKUs – of legacy hardware spaces, OEM authorised spaces and refurbished hardware
- A network of product experts able to source anything we don’t have in stock
- Same-day and next-day shipping with rapid dispatch all around the world from a variety of global warehouses.
Das Alter mag "nur" eine Zahl sein, aber das gilt auch für die Menge der Chips, die der Nachfrage nicht entspricht. Warum sollten Sie angesichts dieser beiden Risikofaktoren warten, bis es zu einer Unterbrechung kommt? Handeln Sie stattdessen - und stellen Sie sicher, dass Ihre Dienstleistungen durchgehend hervorragend sind.
To learn more on Procurri’s hardware solutions, get in touch and let’s talk configuration!
