How Businesses are Using Docking Stations to Extend the Life of Hardware

Here’s a new business buzzword you’ll soon grow tired of hearing, “Technology Turnover”. It’s the idea that technology is updating at a faster pace than companies can match. It’s like when your company buys a fleet of laptops, and then a year later, all the peripherals you need to incorporate use a newer connection type. 

Those laptops you expected to use for three to five years, now need to be replaced in just one or two. The business cost of technology turnover can be tremendous, and that doesn’t even consider environmental impact. 

In the face of relentless technological change (and thinner laptops with fewer and fewer ports), businesses are increasingly grappling with the challenge of staying current without incurring prohibitive costs. The introduction of new devices into the market requires companies to strike a delicate balance between adopting new technologies and managing the economic and ecological impacts of regular hardware updates.

Let’s consider how docking stations can serve as a sustainable solution in this situation. To do that, let’s look at how these stations help organizations extend the life and functionality of their current hardware setups, leading to a more cost-effective and environmentally friendly method of handling technology advancements.

The Cost of Keeping Up

Ever-changing trends in technology forces organizations into a perpetual cycle of updating hardware. Technology turnover can lead to substantial spending on hardware, but it also contributes to the growing cost of e-waste disposal. 

Beyond the financial and ecological concerns, the ongoing influx of new technologies can lead to steep learning curves. Every new gadget presents a period of adjustment for IT departments and employees which in turn puts pressure on productivity.

But First, What IS a Docking Station

A docking station acts as a connector linking laptops or other portable devices to peripherals like monitors, projectors, keyboards, and storage units. In the commercial world, there are two main types of docking stations in use: universal docking stations and Thunderbolt/USB4 docking stations. 

It’s worth noting, there is a third, less common dock—the mechanical dock. 

Universal docks accommodate a variety of devices and host-connection port types across different manufacturers and operating systems. Thunderbolt and USB4 docks offer rapid and dependable performance, though they might not be fully compatible with all laptops, such as certain base model Macs, which support only a single display (though there are workarounds).

Mechanical docks are those proprietary units that only fit a specific brand or model. They usually click into a big connector filled with teeth and are disconnected with an actual, physical eject button. The sound and action of connecting and disconnecting from one of these docs is remarkably reminiscent of one of those old credit card machines that slid back and forth across your Diners Club Card. When you upgrade your laptop, you throw out the dock. This style should be avoided. 

Docking stations are particularly popular in hybrid workplaces or scenarios where employees frequently move around with laptops, as they require only a single connection at each new desk.

Extending Hardware Life with Docking Stations

Docking stations have become a symbol of sustainability in office environments. They enable the enhancement of existing hardware by adding new capabilities, thereby reducing the necessity for constant device replacement. Companies can use docking stations to update their current systems, providing employees with the latest equipment without the expense of complete system overhauls. Additionally, companies are equipping remote and hybrid workers with similar docking stations to foster a more efficient work environment at home.

Apart from the cost benefits, integrating docking stations can revitalize old hardware, adapting them to meet current needs by allowing older systems to support new peripherals.

Connecting via Docking Stations

If you’re interested in getting a look at some dock options that’ll work for your business, check out our dock finder tool, or reach out to us to find out more about outfitting your office with docking stations and other related accessories.