1. Total hardware cost of ownership

Look beyond initial hardware pricing. Calculate 8-year costs including:

• Installation and setup costs
• Annual maintenance
• Spare parts requirements
• Energy consumption

Key insight: Maintenance requirements can vary significantly – some vendors offer 1% spare parts free initially while others require 5% annual inventory planning.

2. Hardware durability for your climate

Evaluate hardware specifications that impact longevity in your region:

• Metal thickness: 0.8-3mm range for critical components
• Weather protection: IP33-IP54 ratings for outdoor use
• Operating temperature: -30°C to +70°C capability
• Expected lifespan: 8-15 years of operation

Key insight: Metal thickness can range from 0.6mm to 4mm depending on component and vendor – representing significant variation in material specifications.

3. How scalable and future proof is the hardware solution?

Assess how hardware adapts to changing business needs:

• Modular installation options (wall, floor, concrete base)
• How easy it is to add on extra modules to expand capacity?
• Component upgrade paths

Key insight: Column addition times can range from 15 minutes to 2 hours – a significant difference for operational scaling.

4. Technology components & specifications

Evaluate the core technology hardware included in each system:

• Screen specifications: Brightness (1000+ NITs), size, and touch technology
• Computer hardware: CPU cores, RAM, storage (SSD), and processing power
• Camera systems: Environmental cameras, face cameras, and NVR/DVR capabilities
• Additional components: UPS backup, internal lighting, and sensor hardware

Key insight: Some vendors offer all-in-one computer and screen solutions while others use separate components – affecting both upgrade flexibility and replacement costs.

5. Integration with software

Evaluate hardware vendor requirements for software integration:

• Direct hardware access vs. mandatory vendor software layers
• API documentation quality and technical specifications provided
• Vendor lock-in implications of proprietary software requirements

Key insight: Some vendors provide detailed hardware specifications while others prefer maintaining proprietary software integration layers.

6. Vendor stability and support quality

Hardware suppliers impact long-term business success:

• Financial stability and market presence
• How satisfied are their reference customers?
• Local support capabilities and response times
• Communication quality and technical expertise

Key insight: In our experience a quality hardware vendor is proactive, they anticipate problems and reach out first.

7. Managing supply chain risks

Hardware procurement timelines affect business deployment:

• Production lead times: 28-180 days depending on order size
• Transportation duration: 5-55 days based on vendor location
• Component availability and sourcing stability

Key insight: Delivery times can range from 5 days (European suppliers) to 55 days (Asian suppliers) – a 10x difference in logistics speed.

8. How do you measure hardware performance?

Establish hardware performance tracking from deployment:

• System availability and uptime targets
• User satisfaction with hardware interface
• Operational efficiency metrics
• Return on investment timelines

Key insight: Vendor monitoring capabilities vary from basic status reporting to comprehensive diagnostic data and remote management features.