By Guest Contributor Briana Hilton
Technology is transforming the way Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs) support those who served. Already in 2025, for example, over two million veterans have used VA telehealth almost eight million times. In a similar vein, many VSOs have jumped on board with tech adoption as a way to help veterans easily access healthcare, benefits, education, and job training.
But with limited budgets and resources, VSOs need to be mindful of their tech spending and know how to get the most out of every device. This means repurposing or refurbishing devices to help them stay useful for staff and avoid the expense of lost or replacement devices. And, when a device is no longer needed, it’s great to donate it to a nonprofit that can refurbish them and pass them onto veterans in need.
Repurpose Devices to Keep Technology in Use
VSOs typically spend a small fraction of their budget (usually around just 6%) on admin costs, which includes IT. Given that IT is such a relatively small part of the budget overall, it’s vital that every device invested in is used to its full potential. That means finding new uses for old laptops no longer in regular use.
An idle device that previously handled admin, for example, could be freshly updated and repurposed to support telehealth sessions for veterans. A comprehensive solution that stores and reassigns devices can really help streamline this entire process. This lets you keep track of your devices online and reallocate them where needed all in just a few clicks.
Giving old devices a new purpose also cuts down on expensive losses as tracked and reassigned tech is less likely to go missing. Organizations lose an average of 260 laptops per year, but only recover twelve. When you track devices and put them to good use, you can avoid the cost of replacements and make the most of money already spent.
Refurbished Tech Saves Money
Refurbishing older devices is another great way VSOs can cut costs and make better use of resources. Refurbishing a laptop can actually be up to 70% cheaper than buying a new one. This means that instead of letting old devices collect dust or replacing them prematurely, they’re either repaired or updated once they’re no longer fully functional.
Staff can keep a simple log of the laptop’s history (including past repairs and performance issues) to stay on top of when each device may need to be refurbished. As part of this, each device should get a quick checkup on a regular basis for any signs of wear and tear. For instance, slow performance or short battery life are common issues that usually indicate it’s time for a refurbishment. Once ready, the refurbished laptop can then be reassigned to wherever staff need it most.
Donating Old Devices to Support Veterans
When devices are no longer needed, they can be donated to organizations that help veterans get the technology they need. A good example is Tech for Troops in Virginia, which fixes up old Macs and PCs and distributes them to groups that support veterans. There’s also another nonprofit called Smartphones for Service Members that accepts donated devices in any condition and restores them to give to veterans. Or, if the device can’t be saved, it’s responsibly recycled.
Before donating old devices, remember to wipe all sensitive data to protect your organization’s and veterans’ private info. The simplest way to do this is to restore the device to its original factory settings.
Making the Most of Every Device
With technology now increasingly vital to supporting veterans, it makes sense for VSOs to make the most out of each device. Giving old devices a new life where possible keeps them useful and helps both staff and veterans in the long run.
