Data centre decommissioning & dismantling of IT infrastructure
Data erasure in accordance with NIST SP 800-88 · professional dismantling · residual value through buy-back
Decommissioning, closing or downsizing a data centre – without data risk and without loss of value
Data centre decommissioning refers to the planned shutdown and dismantling of IT infrastructure: servers, storage, network equipment, racks, UPS units and cabling are erased in compliance with data protection rules, dismantled, removed and then remarketed or properly recycled via a certified first treatment facility. Whether it’s a cloud migration, site consolidation, colocation exit or insolvency – the decommissioning determines whether your old data centre becomes a cost burden or a source of revenue.
Cloud migration & consolidation
Workloads are moving to the cloud or to a central data centre – on-premises space is shrinking. We dismantle the infrastructure that is no longer needed while the remaining operations continue.
Site closure & insolvency
In closures and insolvencies, speed and robust documentation are key. We provide a rapid inventory, a binding buy-back offer and audit-proof records for administrators and owners.
Hardware refresh & colocation exit
After 3–5 years, a generational upgrade is due, or the colocation contract ends with an obligation to dismantle. We handle the dismantling, the handover of the space in broom-clean condition and the remarketing of the old equipment.
Data centre decommissioning in 12 steps
Every step is documented; every asset is recorded down to its serial number. This creates a seamless chain of custody – from the rack in your data centre right through to the final record.
-
01
Initial consultation & objectives
Full or partial decommissioning? Fixed deadline? Ongoing operations? We clarify the scope, timeframe and protection requirements – free of charge and with no obligation.
-
02
On-site inventory
Inventory of servers, storage, network equipment, UPS, cooling, racks and cabling – including a dependency check.
-
03
Valuation & residual value assessment
Model-specific market valuation of every component. You receive a binding buy-back offer with transparent offsetting against the dismantling costs.
-
04
Project plan & security concept
Timetable, access and ESD plan, health and safety, coordination with facility management. Dismantling outside business hours available on request.
-
05
Migration sign-off by you
Decommissioning only begins once your data has been migrated and the systems have been released – documented in writing.
-
06
Dismantling
Removal of systems from the racks, dismantling of cabling, UPS and, on request, cooling systems – ESD-compliant and value-preserving.
-
07
Data erasure
All drives are erased using software in accordance with NIST SP 800-88 (Rev. 2) – on site or at our secure premises, with an erasure certificate for each drive.
-
08
Packaging & secure transport
ESD packaging, sealed and GPS-monitored vehicles, transport insurance. The chain of custody remains unbroken.
-
09
Goods receipt & technical inspection
Recording by serial number, functional testing and grading. The status of every asset is visible live in the IT-RESELL ITAD portal.
-
10
Physical destruction
Drives that cannot be securely erased are separated and destroyed via our certified partner in accordance with DIN 66399 / ISO/IEC 21964 – standard H-4 / E-3, up to H-5 / E-5 on request. The certificate of destruction is matched to the recorded serial numbers.
-
11
Remarketing & recycling
Valuable hardware is refurbished and remarketed internationally. Components that cannot be sold are properly recycled via a certified first treatment facility under the German ElektroG.
-
12
Documentation & audit report
Erasure certificates, certificates of destruction and disposal, plus a final report – audit-proof for your auditors.
Your complete hardware overview – at any time of the day or night
No chasing, no waiting for the final report: in the ITAD portal you can view the live status of your entire decommissioning project at any time – every asset, every drive, every document.
Every asset in real time
Status down to the serial number, from collection through goods receipt and inspection to erasure, remarketing or recycling – accessible around the clock, even at three in the morning before an audit.
All records in one place
Erasure certificates, certificates of destruction and disposal, asset lists and final reports – stored centrally and available for download at any time for data protection officers and auditors.
10-year retention
All project documents remain available in the portal for 10 years. Even an auditor five years from now will find everything immediately – without anyone having to search through old inboxes or folders.
Every requirement, one proof: your compliance matrix
Data centre decommissioning is a data protection and environmental law project. This matrix shows which requirements apply to your project – and which evidence you receive from us.
| Regulation / standard | Requirement for your project | Our evidence |
|---|---|---|
| GDPR Art. 17 | Personal data must be verifiably erased – including on decommissioned drives. | Erasure certificate for each drive with serial number, method and timestamp |
| GDPR Art. 28 | External service providers with access to drives require a data processing agreement. | Data processing agreement (DPA) including technical and organisational measures (TOMs) |
| NIST SP 800-88 | Internationally recognised standard for media sanitisation (Clear / Purge / Destroy). | Erasure in accordance with NIST SP 800-88 (Rev. 2), documented with an erasure certificate for each drive |
| DIN 66399 / ISO/IEC 21964 | Physical destruction according to protection class and security level (hard disks H levels, SSDs E levels). | Certificate of destruction via a partner certified to DIN 66399 – standard H-4 / E-3, up to H-5 / E-5 on request |
| ElektroG / WEEE | End-of-life B2B equipment must be properly recorded, treated and recycled. | Recycling via a certified first treatment facility, disposal certificates and quantity and recovery documentation |
Why buy-back instead of disposal: your old data centre is an asset
Anyone who has their data centre “disposed of” pays twice – for the dismantling and with the residual value they give away. As a rough guide, enterprise hardware loses around 30–50 % of its new value in the first two years; after that, the curve levels off. What matters is a model-specific valuation.
This hardware retains its value
- GPUs: AI hardware is one of the most value-stable items in a decommissioning project – current data centre GPUs often fetch high prices even when used.
- Servers from the last 2–3 generations: HPE ProLiant, Dell PowerEdge, Lenovo ThinkSystem – in high demand internationally.
- Enterprise networking equipment: Cisco, Juniper, Arista & Co. benefit from long refresh cycles and hold their value above average.
- Enterprise storage: All-flash arrays and expansion shelves including drives – fully marketable after erasure in accordance with NIST SP 800-88.
How we maximise your return
- Model-specific, not flat-rate: valuation by configuration (CPU, RAM, drives, licences) at current market prices – not by weight.
- Value-preserving dismantling: ESD-compliant removal and transport preserve the condition – and therefore the price.
- International remarketing: access to B2B buyer networks worldwide – the best price is rarely found locally.
- Reinvestment option: on request, offset the proceeds directly against refurbished enterprise hardware from our stock – with a 36-month warranty.
Keep it in use, not on the scrap heap: what happens to your hardware
A server that is resold after erasure stays in use – instead of becoming electronic waste after just a few years. For IT hardware, a large share of emissions is generated during manufacture; a reused device can replace a new purchase. Anything that can no longer be remarketed does not go to landfill but is properly recycled. For every project, we document transparently which route your assets have taken.
For each project, we report which share of your assets was reused and which was recycled – traceable down to the serial number.
Components that cannot be remarketed are properly recycled via a certified first treatment facility under the German ElektroG – with a disposal certificate.
Archiving of all erasure, destruction and disposal records in the ITAD portal – audit-proof and accessible at any time.
Four situations, one point of contact
Migration without legacy issues
You’re in charge of the migration – we take care of what comes next. Decommissioning during live operations with clear approval processes, coordinated so that production systems remain unaffected, and complete documentation for your data protection officer.
Fast, documented realisation
Short-notice inventory, binding buy-back offer, swift removal. Proceeds flow transparently into the estate – with complete, robust documentation of every step.
Decommissioning as a white-label service
You migrate your customers – we handle decommissioning, data erasure and asset realisation under your project umbrella. Your customer has one point of contact, and you gain an additional contribution margin.
On-time move-out
Contract ending with a dismantling clause? We dismantle on time, hand over the space in the agreed condition and remarket your hardware – in coordination with the data centre operator.
Frequently asked questions about data centre decommissioning
Answers on costs, procedure, data erasure and legal requirements – from the initial inventory to the audit report.
The costs depend on scope, location and timeframe. In many projects, the buy-back proceeds from valuable hardware (servers, storage, network equipment, GPUs) can cover the dismantling costs fully or partly – sometimes there is even a surplus. After the free inventory, you receive a transparent quote with residual value offsetting.
All drives are erased using software in accordance with NIST SP 800-88 (Rev. 2) – on site if required, before any drive leaves your premises. For each drive, you receive an erasure certificate with its serial number. Drives that cannot be erased are physically destroyed via our certified partner in accordance with DIN 66399 / ISO/IEC 21964 – standard H-4 / E-3, up to H-5 / E-5 on request – including a certificate of destruction.
With professional planning, we’re talking days, not months. A medium-sized project (10–30 racks) is typically dismantled and removed within 2–5 working days. Full documentation, including all erasure and recycling records, follows within a few weeks.
Yes. We carry out partial decommissioning during live operations – outside business hours, at night or at weekends if required. Before starting, we check dependencies (power, cooling, network) and coordinate every step with you so that production systems remain unaffected.
The key legal requirements are the GDPR (obligation to erase under Art. 17, processing on behalf under Art. 28) and the German ElektroG for the proper treatment of end-of-life equipment. In addition, the relevant standards are DIN 66399 / ISO/IEC 21964 for media destruction and NIST SP 800-88 as the erasure standard. Our compliance matrix shows which evidence you receive for each requirement.
Both are secure when implemented correctly. On-site erasure offers maximum control: no drive leaves your premises with readable data. Off-site erasure at our secure facility is more cost-effective; transport is then sealed, GPS-monitored and insured – with an unbroken chain of custody. We recommend the option that suits your protection class.
As a rough guide, enterprise hardware loses around 30–50 % of its new value in the first two years – after that, the curve levels off. GPUs hold their value significantly better, and enterprise networking equipment also retains value above average. We value each model at current market prices – free of charge as part of the inventory.
Your hardware is packed to ESD standards; the vehicles are sealed and GPS-monitored. Transport is insured. Every drive and every asset is recorded by serial number – an unbroken, documented chain of custody runs from the rack to goods receipt.
You receive an audit-proof documentation package: erasure certificates for each drive (NIST SP 800-88), certificates of destruction in accordance with DIN 66399 via our certified partner, disposal certificates under the ElektroG, an asset list by serial number and a final report for audit and financial review. All documents are also available for download in the IT-RESELL ITAD portal for 10 years – accessible at any time of the day or night.
In insolvencies and site closures, speed is essential. Once authorised, we start at short notice: inventory within a few days, a binding buy-back offer, dismantling and removal on your preferred date. The proceeds go directly to the insolvency estate or the owner – fully documented.
