Packing and Labeling the Equipment

Proper labeling

The source of many EOL issues is directly related to properly identifying returned assets. We take pride in our end of lease policies and capabilities, such as EOL notification and asset-level decision-making that allow you to determine the best disposition for each asset. However, many of the PCs returned to us are “unexpected.” That means, either we have not received notification that they are being returned, or there is inadequate information included with the shipment to identify the lease assignments. Oftentimes, remote employees will return PCs with their own names but without the name of the company; if the serial number was changed during a maintenance swap, we have no way of knowing to whom to credit the return. Also, if we cannot match the asset returned to the asset you meant to return, billing will continue on the leased asset, creating extra billing, Customer dissatisfaction and reconciliation issues.

For that reason, we emphasize how important your communication with IBM Global Financing is when you make the decision of returning the equipment.
And also, how important is to identify each returned asset with the following information on the Freight Bill of Lading and Parcel Shipment Label and attach the Return Locations label to it: (please see Return Locations instructions below)

• Company Name
• FULL Return Address (City, State/Province, Zip Code)
• Contact Name
• Contact Phone Number

United States customers

To determine where products are to be returned in the US, please refer to the following web site for a complete listing by product and to print the label that should be stapled to your Bill of Lading or to your box: http://www.ibm.com/financing/us/lifecycle/manage/eol/return_locations.html

Canadian customers

To determine where products are to be returned in Canada, please refer to the following web site for a complete listing by product and to print the label that should be stapled to your Bill of Lading or to your box: http://www.ibm.com/financing/us/lifecycle/manage/eol/return_locations_caen.html

Palletizing vs. single-unit shipping

Many of the PCs we receive are delivered via an overnight carrier and contain only one unit per box. This may not be the most cost-effective way to ship equipment and may be the result of a decentralized return process. Palletizing can reduce costs significantly and, if done properly, will not increase the risk of damage to the equipment. We recommend palletizing for shipments of 120 or more PCs and 75 or more monitors.

Assets that are incorrectly packed can incur costly damage while in transit. Here are guidelines for packing the equipment to help minimize the chance of damage and additional charges. In general, the boxes should be large enough to allow three to four inches of space between the unit and any side.

Ensure that the shipment is correctly labeled as per the Return Locations instruction above and attach the proper label to all pallets, crates or cases included in the shipment. Make sure the label is securely attached and will not fall off during shipping and handling.

Laptops/Notebooks:

When shipping individual machines:

• Add laptop/notebook unit to Laptop Cradelair™ Suspension "Sling Pack" available from ADE, Inc., 1 800 222-0221. Available in sets.

When shipping large quantities:

• Use industry-standard "PowerPacs" (suggested).
• Double wrap each laptop/notebook in “large bubble” bubble wrap and secure with tape.
• Place in box on its end, not flat. Fill first level in box.
• Place cardboard layer over first layer of machines.
• Pack second layer of laptops/notebooks individually wrapped with bubble wrap.
Wrap attachments (AC adapters, external floppy drives, etc.) in bubble wrap and place on top of second layer of machines.
• Seal box with tape.
• No more than two layers of machines within a box.

Monitors (CRTs):

When shipping individual machines:

• Wrap monitor in bubble wrap.
• Place monitor in box laying on its side (not on its pedestal).
• Add power cord and signal cable.
• Be certain to include pedestal base/tilt-swivel stand.
• Ensure pedestal base is securely attached.
• Seal box with tape.

When shipping large quantities:

• Wrap monitor in bubble wrap, especially the glass surface.
• Place monitor on its side on the skid. (An alternative is to place a layer of foam on the surface of the skid so the monitors can be placed with the glass surface onto the skid.)
• Be sure to place other monitors on the skid so that the glass surfaces are not facing each other.
• Cover the first layer of machines with cardboard and place second layer on top of first.
• No more than two layers should be packaged on a skid.
• The number of monitors per layer will depend on the monitor screen size.
• Shrink-wrap monitors to the skid to prevent movement of monitors.
• Do NOT place skids on top of each other when packing trailer.

Flat Panel Displays:

The following suggested packing instructions are for 15" flat panel monitors. These instructions can be used for larger monitors, with the only variable being the number of monitors/layer:

1. Place bottom cardboard “cap”on top of the surface of a standard 40" x 48" pallet.
2. Place 36" x 48" foam pad in the bottom of the cap.
3. Place a 54" x 48" piece of bubble wrap on top of the foam.
4. Place six 15" flat panel monitors on top of the bubble wrap. Any cords and cables should be neatly wrapped around the base of the pedestal.
   
5. Place a small piece of bubble wrap (approximately 12" x 16") in between each monitor so that its sides are protected. The bubble wrap should fit under one monitor and on top of the other.
   
6. Place a strip of foam (approximately 8" x 48") so that it fits between each row of monitors.
   
7. Place a piece of foam (approximately 28" x 48") over the first layer of monitors and in between the pedestals.
8. Place another layer of 54” x 48" bubble wrap on top of the foam. Cut the bubble wrap in half as shown.
   
9. Place another six monitors on top of the bubble wrap. In the space between the two rows of monitors, pull the bubble wrap over the monitors to protect the sides. Also make sure that the bubble wrap is placed so that the monitors’ pedestals are not touching. Place a small piece of bubble wrap (approximately 12" x 16") in between each monitor so that its sides are protected. The bubble wrap should fit under one monitor and on top of the other.
   
10. Place a piece of foam (approximately 24" x 48") over the second layer of monitors and in between the pedestals.
    
11. Cut a piece of bubble wrap approximately 24" x 48" and place on the foam.
12. Place the final three monitors on top of the bubble wrap. Make sure bubble wrap is placed such that pedestals are not touching. Place a small piece of bubble wrap (approximately 12" x 16") in between each monitor so that its sides are protected. The bubble wrap should fit under one monitor and on top of the other. Place a piece of foam (approximately 8" x 48") in between the monitors and pedestals of the previous layer.
    
13. 13Place a top cap over the top layer of monitors and stretch wrap the pallet. The stretch wrap should completely cover the load and part of the actual pallet; this will ensure that the load is secured to the pallet. DO NOT STACK pallets!
    

Printers:

When shipping individual machines:

• Remove toner cartridge and place in plastic bag.
• Seal bag with tape.
• Wrap detachable paper-handling devices in bubble wrap.
• Place printer in plastic bag and seal with tape. Add Styrofoam “peanuts” to box and place printer, toner cartridge and paper-handling devices in box. Finish filling the box with "peanuts".
• Seal box with tape.
• For a machine that is too large to be placed in an individual box, be sure to tape the doors to the printer so they remain shut in transit.

When shipping large quantities:

• Use same procedure as above for toner or ink cartridges.
• Remove all external components (paper trays, paper outlet holders, etc.).
• Package all components removed in plastic bags with sufficient bubble wrap or other insulator to avoid damage.
• Tape the doors to the printers so they remain shut in transit.
• Wrap printers in bubble wrap and place on skid on a flat side.
• Place layer of cardboard on top of first layer of printers.
• Place second layer of bubble-wrapped printers on top of the cardboard.
• Shrink-wrap printers to the skid to avoid movement.
• Ensure all components that were removed are included in the shipment.

Desktops:

When shipping individual machines:

• Place unit in plastic bag. Seal with tape. Wrap unit in bubble wrap. Secure bubble wrap with tape. Place unit in cardboard box.
• Wrap keyboard in bubble wrap. Seal with tape.
• Place unit, keyboard, power cord and mouse in box.
• Seal box with tape.

When shipping large quantities:

• Place unit in plastic bag.
• Place on skid on its end, not flat.
• Fill skid surface with desktops.
• Place layer of cardboard on top of desktop layer.
• Place another layer of desktops on top of the cardboard.
• Repeat the process for a third layer.
• Shrink-wrap the skid to prevent movement of desktops on the skid.

Intel®-based Servers:

When shipping individual machines:

• Remove component from rack and place in plastic bag. Seal with tape. Wrap component in bubble wrap. Secure bubble wrap with tape. Place component in cardboard box.
• Wrap keyboard in bubble wrap. Seal with tape.
• Place unit, keyboard, power cord and mouse in box.
• Seal box with tape.
• Wrap rack in bubble wrap. Seal with tape. Secure rack to pallets.

When shipping large quantities:

• See the suggested packaging for large quantities of desktops above.

• For French version please click here.