Data centre decommissioning & dismantling – secure, GDPR-compliant, with maximum residual value
Certified data erasure in accordance with NIST 800-88 · professional dismantling · insured transport · purchase instead of disposal costs
Decommissioning, winding up or downsizing a data centre – without data risks and without loss of value
Data centre decommissioning refers to the planned decommissioning and dismantling of IT infrastructure: servers, storage, network equipment, racks, UPS units and cabling are erased in compliance with data protection regulations, dismantled, removed and subsequently sold or recycled in a certified manner. Whether it’s cloud migration, site consolidation, moving out of a colocation facility 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 in use whilst the rest of the operations continue.
Site Closure & Insolvency
In the event of closures and insolvencies, speed and robust documentation are key. We provide a rapid inventory assessment, a binding purchase offer and audit-proof documentation for administrators and owners.
Hardware Refresh & Colocation Exit
After 3–5 years, it’s time for a generational upgrade, or the colocation contract expires with an obligation to dismantle the equipment. We handle the dismantling, handover of the premises in a ‘swept-clean’ condition and the resale 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 certificate.
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01
Initial consultation & definition of objectives
Full or partial decommissioning? Fixed deadline? Ongoing operations? We clarify the scope, timeframe and security requirements – free of charge and with no obligation.
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02
On-site inventory
Inventory of servers, storage, network equipment, UPS, air conditioning, racks and cabling – including a dependency check.
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03
Valuation & residual value assessment
Model-based market valuation of each component. You will receive a binding purchase offer with transparent offsetting against the dismantling costs.
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04
Project plan & safety concept
Timetable, access and ESD plan, health and safety, coordination with facility management. Dismantling outside business hours available on request.
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05
Migration approval by you
Decommissioning only begins once your data has been migrated and the systems have been approved – documented in writing.
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06
Dismantling
Removal of the systems from the racks, dismantling of cabling, UPS and, if required, air-conditioning systems – carried out in accordance with ESD guidelines and with due care to preserve the value of the equipment.
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07
Certified data erasure
All data storage media are erased using software in accordance with NIST 800-88 – either on-site or at our secure premises.
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08
Packaging & secure transport
ESD packaging, sealed and GPS-monitored vehicles, transport insurance. The chain of custody remains unbroken.
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09
Goods Receipt & Technical Inspection
Recording by serial number, functional testing and grading. The status of each asset is available in real time on the IT-RESELL ITAD portal.
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10
Physical destruction
Data storage media that cannot be securely erased are separated and destroyed in accordance with DIN 66399 – with a certificate of destruction for each item.
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11
Remarketing & certified recycling
Hardware of value is refurbished and marketed internationally. Components that cannot be sold are sent for certified recycling.
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12
Documentation & Audit Report
Data erasure certificates, proof of destruction and disposal, CO₂ certificate and final report – audit-proof for auditors.
Your complete hardware overview – at any time of the day or night
No need to follow up, no waiting for the final report: on the ITAD Portal, you can view the live status of your entire decommissioning project at any time – every asset, every data carrier, every document.
Every asset in real time
Status down to the serial number, from collection through to goods receipt and inspection, right through to data erasure, remarketing or recycling – accessible round the clock, even at three in the morning on the eve of an audit.
All supporting documentation in one place
Decommissioning certificates, destruction and disposal records, asset lists, CO₂ certificates and final reports – centrally stored and available for download at any time by data protection officers and auditors.
10-year retention
All project documents remain available on the portal for 10 years – exactly in line with the retention requirement for disposal certificates under the ElektroG. Even an auditor five years down the line will be able to find everything straight away.
Every regulation, one certificate: your compliance matrix
Data centre decommissioning is a project governed by data protection and environmental legislation. This matrix shows which requirements apply to your project – and what evidence of compliance you will receive from us.
| Regulation / Standard | Requirement for your project | Our evidence |
|---|---|---|
| GDPR Art. 17 | Personal data must be verifiably erased – including from decommissioned data storage media. | Deletion certificate for each data carrier, including serial number, method and timestamp |
| GDPR Article 28 | External service providers with access to data storage media require a data processing agreement. | Data Processing Agreement including technical and organisational measures (TOM) |
| NIST 800-88 | Internationally recognised standard for software-based data erasure (Clear/Purge/Destroy). | Deletion using certified deletion software, logged in accordance with NIST methodology |
| DIN 66399 | Physical destruction in accordance with protection class and security level (hard discs H-4/H-5, SSDs E-classes). | Certificate of destruction issued by a certified disposal partner |
| ElektroG / WEEE | End-of-life B2B equipment must be handled in accordance with regulations; disposal certificates must be retained for 10 years. | Disposal certificates, quantity and recovery documentation |
| BSI IT-Grundschutz | Modules for data centres and server rooms define the secure decommissioning process. | Decommissioning and security concept, based on BSI recommendations |
| CSRD / ESG | Sustainability reporting requires reliable figures on the circular economy. | CO₂ certificate and reuse rate for each project |
Why buy back rather than dispose of: your old data centre is an asset
Anyone who has their data centre ‘disposed of’ ends up paying twice – for the dismantling and for the residual value they are giving away. As a rough guide, enterprise hardware loses around 30–50 per cent of its new value; after that, the decline levels off. The key is a model-specific valuation.
This hardware retains its value
- GPUs: AI hardware is the most stable asset in the entire decommissioning process – current data centre GPUs fetch top prices even when second-hand.
- 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 retain their value above average.
- Enterprise storage: All-flash arrays and expansion shelves, including drives – fully marketable following certified data erasure.
How we maximise your return
- Model-specific rather than a flat rate: valuation based on configuration (CPU, RAM, drives, licences) at current market prices – not by weight.
- Careful dismantling: ESD-compliant removal and transport preserve the condition – and thus the value.
- International marketing: Access to B2B buyer networks worldwide – the best price is rarely found in your own local area.
- Reinvestment option: On request, you can offset the proceeds directly against refurbished enterprise hardware from our stock – with a 36-month warranty.
Measurable circular economy for your ESG reporting
According to manufacturers’ life cycle assessments, the production of a single enterprise server generates between 1,200 and 1,750 kg CO₂e – individual life cycle analyses show significantly higher figures for fully equipped systems. Every server that is given a second life through remarketing avoids these manufacturing emissions for a second user. We make this data usable for your reporting.
per project: avoided manufacturing emissions, transparently derived and source-based – directly usable as a building block for CSRD/ESG reports.
We report on what proportion of your assets went into reuse and what proportion into certified recycling – including the ‘zero landfill’ commitment.
Retention period for disposal certificates under the ElektroG – we provide the complete, audit-proof documentation for this.
Four situations, one point of contact
Migration without legacy issues
You’re in charge of the migration – we’ll take care of what comes next. Decommissioning whilst systems remain in operation, clear approval processes, no disruption to production systems, and comprehensive documentation for your data protection officer.
Rapid, documented realisation
Short-notice inventory, binding purchase offer, swift removal. Proceeds flow transparently into the estate – with legally compliant 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 is assigned a single point of contact, whilst you benefit from an additional contribution margin.
Timely removal
Contract expiry with a decommissioning clause? We dismantle the equipment on time, hand over the space in the agreed condition and resell your hardware – in coordination with the data centre operator.
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Frequently asked questions about data centre decommissioning
Answers on costs, procedures, data erasure and legal requirements – from the initial assessment to the audit report.
The costs depend on the scope, location and timeframe. The key difference compared to traditional dismantling service providers is that, in many projects, the proceeds from the sale of hardware with residual value (servers, storage, network equipment, GPUs) fully cover the dismantling costs – often leaving a surplus. Following the free initial assessment, you will receive a transparent quote that takes residual value into account.
All data storage media are erased using software in accordance with NIST 800-88 (Clear/Purge) – on-site if required, before any media leaves your premises. For each data carrier, you will receive a deletion certificate with a serial number. Data carriers that cannot be deleted are physically destroyed in accordance with DIN 66399 (security levels H-4/H-5 or E-classes) – 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 certificates, follows within a few weeks.
Yes. We carry out partial dismantling whilst operations are ongoing – outside business hours, at night or at weekends, if required. Before starting, we check for any dependencies (power, air conditioning, network) to ensure that production systems are not affected at any time.
The most relevant regulations are the GDPR (obligation to erase data under Article 17, data processing by a processor under Article 28), the ElektroG/WEEE with a 10-year retention obligation for disposal certificates, DIN 66399 for data carrier destruction, NIST 800-88 as the data erasure standard, and the BSI IT-Grundschutz modules for data centres and server rooms. Our compliance matrix shows what certification you receive for each requirement.
Both are secure when implemented correctly. On-site erasure offers maximum control: no data carrier leaves your premises containing readable data. Off-site erasure at our secure facility is more cost-effective; transport is then carried out under seal, GPS-monitored and insured – with a seamless chain of custody. We recommend the option that best suits your security class.
As a rough guide, enterprise hardware loses around 30–50 per cent of its new value in the first two years – after that, the decline levels off. GPUs retain their value significantly better, and enterprise networking equipment also retains its value above average. We carry out model-specific valuations at current market prices – free of charge as part of the inventory assessment.
Your hardware is packed in accordance with ESD standards; the vehicles are sealed and monitored via GPS. The transport is insured. Every data storage device and every asset is recorded by serial number – there is a seamless, documented chain of custody from the rack right through to goods receipt.
You will receive an audit-proof documentation package: erasure certificates for each data carrier (NIST 800-88), destruction certificates in accordance with DIN 66399, disposal certificates in accordance with the ElektroG, a list of assets with specific serial numbers, a CO₂ certificate for your ESG reporting, and a final report for audit and financial review purposes. All documents are also available for download on the IT-RESELL ITAD portal for a further 10 years – accessible at any time of the day or night.
In cases of insolvency and site closures, speed is of the essence. Once authorised, we get started at short notice: an inventory within a few days, a binding purchase offer, dismantling and removal on your preferred date. The proceeds go directly into the insolvency estate or to the owner – fully documented.
