Data Center Decommissioning

Whether you are migrating to the cloud, upgrading outdated servers, consolidating facilities, relocating a data center, or managing architecture changes, SK Tes delivers global data center decommissioning services engineered for scale, security, and operational continuity.

Compliant, sustainable & secure lifecycle management for all data center equipment

Global data center on site services delivered without operational interruption

Extensive expertise in systematic planning & delivering enterprise, hybrid, and hyperscale decommissioning programs

ABOUT DATA CENTER DECOMMISSIONING

Data Center Decommissioning Services & Server Decommissioning

Recognized by

Data Center Services

Global, secure data center decommissioning at scale

Retiring your data center equipment can be complex, but SK Tes makes it simple. SK Tes is one of the few data center decommissioning companies with the global footprint, security rigor, and operational maturity required for enterprise grade projects.

Our standardized, evidence-based workflows ensure complete chain of custody transparency across corporate, colocation, hybrid, and edge data center environments. We manage high volumes, tight timelines, large inventories, and strict security requirements without disrupting operations.

Explore our global network of data center processing sites.

“Excellent communication with our contacts and we've had phenomenal onsite support.”

Global OEM

“Flexible, committed to deliver good service and responsive.”

Global Technology Solutions Provider

“SK Tes provides a strong in-house recycling and asset recovery service within EMEA & APAC!”

Global Software Provider

“SK Tes has been very responsive and accommodating to all requests. The level of service has been excellent.”

Global Insurance Company

On site data center services and smart hands support

Our on site teams deliver comprehensive support to safely decommission data center environments of any size. We begin with full asset inventorying - both serialized and non-serialized, followed by controlled server, storage, and network device removal. Once systems are powered down, we manage de-racking, cabling removal, and whitespace readiness to prepare the environment for its next phase.

On site teams can safely decommission data centers of any size – all while ensuring optimal data security through certified data sanitization adhering to NIST 800-88 r2 and IEEE 2883:2022 compliant processes, and working flexibly around operational windows to minimize disruption in live data center environments.

On site data center services:

Project planning and controlled execution within live data center environments
On site asset inventorying and asset reconciliation
Secure power-down, de-racking and physical removal of servers, storage and networking equipment and infrastructure
On site data sanitization and data destruction services
Component parts harvesting and parts swapping
Smart hands and remote hands support
Secure on site packaging and preparation for transport
Integrated reconciliation, reporting and certification

Off site asset recovery & ITAD for data centers

Once assets leave your facility, they move through a fully controlled logistics management with auditable chain of custody at every stage. At our high-volume processing centers, equipment is tested, triaged, sanitized, and prepared for resale or redeployment using standardized data center ITAD workflows.

Our proven ability to scale is unmatched, we can process tens of thousands of drives, providing a meticulous inventory management for every asset, including make, model, serial number, and component details. This attention to detail ensures discrepancies are quickly identified and resolved.

FOR ENTERPRISE, COLOCATION, HYBRID, AND MULTI-SITE DATA CENTERS

Checklist and project plan workbook for data center decommissioning

This checklist and project plan workbook helps data center operations teams and IT teams manage complex data center decommissioning projects with greater control, compliance awareness, and readiness.

With built-in controls, templates, and checkpoints, it allows stronger planning and execution across high asset volumes, limited access windows, security requirements, and audit scrutiny.

DOWNLOAD THE CHECKLIST & PROJECT PLAN

DATA CENTER EQUIPMENT REMARKETING AND VALUE RECOVERY

Recover value from used data center hardware and offset the cost of your new equipment.

Recover value from used data center equipment and offset the cost of your next investment.

We maximize the value by redeploying components or reselling data center equipment through global markets.

SK Tes maximizes your IT equipment value recovery through:

Global network of 1,000+ qualified buyers across 20+ countries
Realtime pricing intelligence from live market data
High volume parts harvesting and refurbishment
Value recovery is driven by our proprietary global analytics engine, identifying the strongest resale channels and markets to optimize return while avoiding unnecessary asset movement.

Remaining materials enter our certified circular economy recycling streams, ensuring transparency and sustainability.

SECURE DATA DESTRUCTION - NIST & IEEE

Security First. Always.

Data center operations leaders demand uncompromising data protection and SK Tes designs every process around zero risk execution. We provide highest data destruction standards through:

Secure handling and sanitization of drives
Alignment with corporate Information Security teams
Adherence to rigorous NIST 800-88 r2 & IEEE 2883-2022 data destruction standards
Compliant with data privacy regulations (e.g. GDPR, HIPAA)
Parent/child asset relationships for full data tracking
Transparent reporting engineered to withstand audit scrutiny
Onsite shredding with client-specified particle size options

Our reporting includes complete parent/child asset associations, full audit trails, and transparency engineered for internal and external compliance reviews. When on site destruction is required, our shredders meet your particle sizes to satisfy the highest security requirements.

GLOBAL DATA CENTER PROGRAM GOVERNANCE & OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE

Large scale data center decommissioning requires structured oversight.

SK Tes provides full program execution through dedicated program management and standardized global workflows and:

Dedicated Program Manager with enterprise data center expertise
SLA driven performance metrics and dashboard-driven performance metrics and dashboards
Weekly status reporting and monthly business reviews
Change control, issue tracking & escalation management
Standardized workflows across 40+ owned & operated global sites

This ensures consistent execution across regions, without relying on third-party subcontractors. Explore SK Tes global facilities.

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SUSTAINABILITY REPORTING FOR DATA CENTER DECOMMISSIONING

Transform decommissioned data center assets into into measurable emissions savings with SK Tes.

Our Carbon Loop Report quantifies emissions avoided through reuse and recycling and is validated by an external certification body. This supports your carbon accounting and aligns with corporate sustainability goals.

Sustainability is at the core of what we do. SK Tes minimizes environmental impact through:

Reduced cross border movement of assets
Certified material recovery & data centre recycling
ESG-ready reporting packages for corporate sustainability teams
Circular economy aligned refurbishment and redeployment

Sustainability is integrated into every workflow and not treated as an add-on.

UNPARALLELED DATA CENTER EQUIPMENT KNOWLEDGE

SK Tes brings unmatched expertise in data center component management, delivering secure handling and maximum value recovery. Our services span across:

Server Chassis: Expert handling to maximize reuse potential or ensure proper recycling.
CPUs: Accurate testing, identification, and secure management for value recovery or sustainable disposition.
Memory (RAM): Safe handling and reconciliation to support resale or compliant recycling.
HDDs & SSDs: Secure data destruction and preparation for resale or recycling, meeting top security standards for all drive types, including fibre channel, SATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment), SAS (Serial Attached SCSI), and SSD (Solid State Drive).
Controllers: Secure processing of RAID and storage controllers for maximum value recovery.
NVMe Drives (Non-Volatile Memory Express): Advanced handling and secure erasure of high-performance drives, meeting IEEE 2883-2022 standards.
Power Supplies: Careful removal and evaluation for reuse or recycling.
Cable Mining: Thorough cable mining and removal for sustainable processing at our global recycling facilities.

How to plan for data center decommissioning project with optimized value recovery and minimal disruption

Discover a streamlined end-to-end data center decommissioning process - ensuring accurate reporting, full device accountability, and zero compromised assets.

Begin asset auditing, tagging, and registration of your data center equipment to ascertain how many assets in your data center need to be decommissioned. If equipment is logged in an asset management system, like ServiceNow, run a report of equipment ready for decommissioning.

For those without an asset management system in place, SK Tes offers smart hands services to audit, tag, and register your assets. This ensures full visibility and traceability of all hardware, enabling a seamless and efficient decommissioning process.
It's time to evaluate and plan the disposition hierarchy for your IT assets. Determine the best outcomes for your data center equipment—whether components should be returned to the leaser, redeployed, resold, or recycled. SK Tes can offer expert guidance to help you with strategies and techniques for protecting your data, maximizing equipment value recovery, and aligning with your corporate sustainability goals.

Key considerations include data classification, storage device types, regulatory compliance, cost and resources, and risk assessment. Prioritize identifying storage media that meet NIST and IEEE data destruction standards to ensure proper handling and compliance.
Based on your asset inventory and planning, you can finalize a timeline for your data center decommissioning project, including milestones to keep you on track.

The experienced ITAD specialists at SK Tes can help you with project planning and creating a robust audit trail for your data center decommissioning process. We can support you with equipment lease returns and leaseback options to support the transition to new equipment.

If you have a lease, begin to return your leased assets to allow for testing and transportation before your lease expires. SK Tes' onsite sanitization solution strengthens data security and avoids penalty charges for pulling and shredding drives from leased equipment.
Decide on the most appropriate data destruction technique for your data center decommissioning project, whether it’s software-based data erasure or physical destruction of your data center hardware, legacy equipment, and storage media.

Choose data destruction methods based on drive type such as HDD, SSD, or the more proprietary disks that are from Storage Arrays. Define a security policy for levels of verification or when to allow reallocated sectors and when not to. For failed or undiscovered storage devices, define the means of physical destruction and handling of these devices.

SK Tes provides expert guidance to create a custom-designed plan that ensures full data protection with a complete chain of custody. We deliver secure data destruction appropriate to your drive types, including logical, cryptographic and block erasure methods.
Thorough planning is essential for data center decommissioning projects, covering every detail—from cable mining, egress routing, and flooring protection to managing truck traffic for the safe removal of servers and cabinets.

SK Tes reverse logistics specialists are experts in handling, storing, and packing data center equipment to prevent damage and preserve its value, ensuring every step is executed with precision and care, whether you are handling it yourself or relying on our professional team.
Data center assets designated for reuse will be securely transported from your location to either your new data center or a specialist technology lifecycle service provider, such as SK Tes, where they will be reimaged, reprogrammed, or processed for remarketing.

Any reconciliation paperwork will be reviewed and signed off by the site contact before equipment removal. Liquidated assets should be prepared for departure from the current facility. Your specialist can assist with additional requirements, including point-to-point shipping, GPS tracking, and added insurance.
At this point, you should verify that your data center decommissioning project's agreed-upon goals have been met and address any concerns. Your SK Tes data center specialists will begin processing servers and hardware for remanufacturing, redeployment, resale, or recycling.

We provide full reporting down to the serial number level, including IT asset wipe and data destruction reports and Certificate of Destruction (COD), final disposition report, ensuring a complete chain of custody record. We also provide GHG emissions and sustainability reporting for your data center decommissioning.

Frequently asked questions about data center services

Do you provide data center decommissioning for cloud data center migration?

SK Tes supports a seamless transition to the cloud - through secure, sustainable and compliant ITAD and data center decommissioning services. From secure data destruction to robust IT asset lifecycle management solutions and reporting. Leverage hardware leasebacks, buyback programs, and secure decommissioning solutions, all designed with your needs in mind and optimized to maximise ROI and reduce downtime.

Do you offer hardware leaseback, buyback and revenue share solutions for data center equipment?

Yes, our solutions for hardware purchase leaseback and revenue share provide you with the financial flexibility that you might need.

With our Hardware Purchase Leaseback (HPL) solution, we will purchase your IT assets and lease them back to you during data center migration timeline. This provides an immediate injection of capital by locking it in the current Fair Market Value (FMV) of your equipment. Not only does this remove the assets from your balance sheet, but it can also generate capital for reinvestment in other areas of your migration needs.

What is data center decommissioning?

Data center decommissioning is systematic, dismantling and responsible disposal, or repurposing of IT assets, equipment and infrastructure, involving meticulous planning, asset inventorying certified data destruction and responsible management of end-of-life assets.

Whether you’re upgrading hardware, moving to the cloud, relocating, or downsizing operations, a comprehensive decommissioning strategy ensures thorough equipment inventory, secure removal and transportation, and environmentally compliant recycling or repurposing - all while upholding stringent security and operational requirements.

What data destruction guidelines exist for data center equipment?

Various international guidelines and standards have been established to provide frameworks for secure data sanitization. The most widely adopted are NIST 800-88 and the more recent IEEE 2883-2022. Both IEEE 2883-2022 and NIST SP 800-88 r2 provide guidelines for secure data sanitization under three levels: clear, purge and destroy/destruct.

As your expert IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) partner, SK Tes can guide you through all the options. We offer a single-source, global solution for data destruction and lifecycle management for the full range of corporate IT and enterprise technology. Our processes ensure that data is thoroughly erased for maximum security, and to the highest international data destruction standards. Explore more on data destruction services and the NIST guide.

How do you handle data center decommissioning projects with short notice and aggressive completion dates?

SK Tes delivers these projects with confidence, meeting tight schedules without compromising quality. This is achieved through:

Understanding Your Key Requirements: We prioritize clear communication to align with your objectives.
Intelligent Project Planning: We create robust plans tailored to your specific needs.
Proper Scoping: We precisely define project boundaries to avoid delays.
Detailed Milestone Tracking: We use precise metrics to monitor progress and ensure timely completion.
Metric Reporting: This allows for close assessment of project progress, enabling proactive adjustments and ensuring we stay on track.

How do you manage security risks associated with unexpected assets, missing disks, and processing records before equipment sale during hardware decommissioning?

SK Tes mitigates these security risks through tightly controlled handling procedures across every stage of hardware decommissioning including:

Thorough Reporting on IT Assets, Hardware and Components : We provide comprehensive documentation of all your IT assets, ensuring transparency and accountability.
Trained Security Architects: Our projects are overseen by security architects who implement robust security protocols.
Secure Procedures for Locating and Securing Disks: We employ rigorous methods to locate and secure all storage devices, preventing data breaches.
Intelligent Inventory Tracking: For remarketed assets, our intelligent inventory tracking safeguards against unprocessed assets from being sold, ensuring that no sensitive data can be traced back.

By combining these measures, we ensure a secure decommissioning process and protect your sensitive data.

What makes SK Tes different from other data center decommissioning companies?

SK Tes delivers genuine ability to scale, globally consistent execution, strict security, and strong value recovery backed by operational coverage from 40+ facilities worldwide.

SK Tes provides experienced Program Managers who coordinate logistics, field operations, security workflows, onsite technicians, communications, quoting, risk management, and escalations, ensuring predictable and efficient delivery.

How does SK Tes manage large data center decommissioning projects and ensure zero disruption to operations?

As data center closures and refreshes typically generate large, uneven asset volumes, SK Tes has purpose-built infrastructure to process thousands of devices quickly and accurately. We reconcile expected versus discovered inventory, apply advanced tools to identify discrepancies, and deliver clear dashboards that highlight your key metrics.

SK Tes engineers plan work around your operational windows, with the capacity to complete onsite activities quickly, safely, and in close alignment with your facilities teams. Our technicians follow repeatable, data center–specific workflows that ensure a smooth process, minimized downtime, controlled dismantling, and meticulous scheduling to avoid operational impact.

What data center decommissioning reporting will we receive?

SK Tes provides serialized asset reconciliation, parent/child relationship tracking, SLA performance updates, sustainability reporting, and full audit trails.

Clients also receive escalation paths, monthly business reviews, and documentation aligned with internal and regulatory compliance requirements.

Can SK Tes support multi-location or global data center decommissioning programs?

Yes. SK Tes deliver global data center decommissioning programs. With standardized workflows across 40+ owned and operated facilities, SK Tes supports multi-location projects, large incoming volumes, and can manage multiple IT asset intakes that are common in enterprise and hyperscale environments without reliance on subcontractors.

Why consider SK Tes for hardware decommissioning?

Organizations retiring IT hardware typically look for IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) partners that can handle secure data wiping, responsible recycling, and value recovery. Several providers offer these services, but the right choice depends on scale, compliance needs, and sustainability goals.

Along with other industry options, SK Tes is a strong fit for companies needing reliable, end‑to‑end decommissioning support.

Why consider SK Tes?

Scalable global operations

SK Tes manages multi‑site and multi‑region decommissioning with consistent processes, reporting, and logistics, making it suitable for both local and global asset retirements.

Certified data erasure and destruction SK Tes provides certified data wiping, secure destruction, full chain‑of‑custody tracking, and compliance with international standards to reduce risk and support audit requirements.

Sustainability and circularity SK Tes focuses on reuse, refurbishment, and responsible recycling to maximize asset value and reduce environmental impact, supporting corporate sustainability and ESG goals.

Explore more about data center decommissioning

Explore all resources

Checklist

Data Center Services •

Data center decommissioning checklist and project plan workbook

Go beyond basic server shutdown steps with data center decommissioning checklist & project plan workbook for enterprise, colocation, hybrid & multi-site.

Service eBook

Data Center Services •

End-to-end decommissioning services at scale - Flyer

Discover how SK Tes streamlines secure, large‑scale data center decommissioning with global strategy, airtight asset control, and uncompromising data protection.

Whitepaper

ITAD • Data Security • Data Center Services •

IEEE 2883 and NIST 800-88 Data Destruction Standards Explained

Download SK Tes guide to find the right method for your data center data destruction. Navigate NIST 800-88 & IEEE data destruction standards with ease.

Article

Data Center Services • ITAD •

Hyperscale Server Decommissioning - A Case Study

Explore the case study of SK Tes server decommissioning - hyperscale solution addressing data center client challenges & resulting in 34% higher returns.

Whitepaper

ITAD • Data Center Services •

A True Global ITAD Solution

In this guide we cover the advantages of partnering with a global sustainable technology lifecycle provider.

Infographic

ITAD • Data Center Services •

What is my data center & enterprise IT equipment worth?

Discover what your data center and enterprise IT equipment is worth.

Data Center Decommissioning

Whether you are migrating to the cloud, upgrading outdated servers, consolidating facilities, relocating a data center, or managing architecture changes, SK Tes delivers global data center decommissioning services engineered for scale, security, and operational continuity.

Compliant, sustainable & secure lifecycle management for all data center equipment

Global data center on site services delivered without operational interruption

Extensive expertise in systematic planning & delivering enterprise, hybrid, and hyperscale decommissioning programs

ABOUT DATA CENTER DECOMMISSIONING

Recognized by

Global, secure data center decommissioning at scale

Need support for your data center decommissioning project?

“Excellent communication with our contacts and we've had phenomenal onsite support.”

“Flexible, committed to deliver good service and responsive.”

“SK Tes provides a strong in-house recycling and asset recovery service within EMEA & APAC!”

“SK Tes has been very responsive and accommodating to all requests. The level of service has been excellent.”

Explore how SK Tes delivers ITAD services for data centers

End-to-end data center decommissioning services

On site data center services and smart hands support

On site data center services:

Off site asset recovery & ITAD for data centers

Data center asset recovery services include:

Checklist and project plan workbook for data center decommissioning

Explore more data center services

DATA CENTER EQUIPMENT REMARKETING AND VALUE RECOVERY

SECURE DATA DESTRUCTION - NIST & IEEE

GLOBAL DATA CENTER PROGRAM GOVERNANCE & OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE

SUSTAINABILITY REPORTING FOR DATA CENTER DECOMMISSIONING

UNPARALLELED DATA CENTER EQUIPMENT KNOWLEDGE

How to plan for data center decommissioning project with optimized value recovery and minimal disruption

STEP 1: LOG DATA CENTER EQUIPMENT INVENTORY

STEP 2: ASSESS IT ASSETS' HIERARCHY (DISPOSE VS REMARKET)

STEP 3: PLAN THE DATE OF YOUR DATA CENTER DECOMMISSIONING PROJECT

STEP 4: DECIDE ON DATA DESTRUCTION METHOD

STEP 5: PREPARE FOR ON SITE DECOMMISSIONING

STEP 6: PREPARE FOR EQUIPMENT TRANSPORT

STEP 7: RECEIVE REPORTING, CERTIFICATION, AND REMARKETING REVENUE