TABLE OF CONTENTS

    7 Retriever Alternatives to Retrieve IT Assets

    Retriever is a popular IT equipment offboarding solution specializing in retrieving remote employees' laptops, whether one or thousands. 

    Retriever operates in the US, UK, and Canada and is prominent in the telecom, tech, finance, and healthcare industries. It helps IT, HR, and operations teams quickly and reliably recover tens of thousands of laptops. 

    The platform sets up device returns in under 30 seconds, provides padded laptop boxes with prepaid postage, and can warehouse devices for local redeployment if needed.

    While sending these boxes, Retriever ensures:

    • Box has easy packing/shipping instructions.

    • Employee communication is ongoing with all updates.

    • The box’s status is communicated to you.

    • There is responsive support for both you and your employees.

    However, few users have found certain drawbacks that cannot be overlooked.

    Source

    TL;DR

    • Retriever is an IT equipment retrieval platform that retrieves laptops from your ex or current employees.

    • It lacks certain aspects, such as being limited to retrieving IT assets, not picking up laptops at the doorstep, and not integrating with tools like Bamboo/Zenefits.

    • It offers a dashboard view and API integrations only for bulk devices.

    • Alternatives to Retriever include Workwize, Device Rescue, ReReady, Growrk, Allwhere, Hofy, and Firstbase.

    Why look for a Retriever Alternative?

    Several reasons make using Retriever a deal-breaker, including:

    • The service is optimized mainly for laptops and monitors. 

    • The cost can add up for enterprises, in case of frequent returns.

    • While it promises quick shipping, if delayed from the employee’s end, it causes lag in case of urgency.

    • Does not offer customized boxes (as in dimensions).

    Top 7 Retriever Alternatives

    These drawbacks might just be why you may look for other options. Here are our handpicked choices.

    Workwize 

     

    At Workwize, we're an IT hardware management platform with warehouses in over 100 countries. We offer automation for secure procurement, deployment, management, retrieval, and disposal of IT assets. 

    • 20,000+ users served worldwide.

    • 80,000+ hours saved for IT managers by automating workflows.

    • 22,000+ on and offboarding facilitated through the Workwize platform.

    Features include: 

    Zero-touch IT equipment retrieval

    • Multi-channel communication and secure transport of assets for your IT assets retrieval.

    • ISO 27001 Certification and are certified in data erasure (both permanently and irreversibly).

    • Second-hand assets collected, wiped and made available for redistribution for your new hires.

    • 100% retrieval rate for customers worldwide.

    Global IT hardware equipment procurement

    • Streamline global IT assets delivery in 5-7 days with our logistics for centralized control and local sourcing.

    • Maximize stock availability with global shipping to remote employees, office locations, and warehouses.

    • Simplified vendor management for IT hardware procurement and office equipment under one roof for peace of mind

    • Through a central dashboard, you can buy, rent, or lease laptops, computers, servers, modems, office furniture, and other devices.

    • Enroll devices in MDM  (Apple Business Manager, Windows Autopilot).

    Distribute and install IT equipment without complex logistics

    • Farewell chaotic spreadsheets, compliance headaches, high import taxes, and lengthy lead times.

    • Enable new hires with ready-to-work devices from day 1 with HRIS integration.

    • Reduce downtime by quickly swapping faulty, broken, or outdated equipment.

    • Track every shipment in real time.

    • Get plug-in-and-start devices that comply with GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI DSS regulatory norms.

    Manage global IT Assets easily with one dashboard

    • Our quick turnaround tends to maintenance issues and reduces downtimes.

    • Your company’s IT assets include computers, laptops, peripherals, furniture, etc. data is no longer scattered.

    • Employees can request equipment, repairs and maintenance with our self-service portal.

    • There is automated onboarding and offboarding with HRIS integration.

    Efficient disposal of remote IT assets

    • Adhere to disposal laws and minimize legal risks.

    • Upgrade outdated products and save on Capex by repurposing old equipment and revealing new revenue streams. 

    • Save considerable time and energy by finding trustworthy and certified suppliers

    Why pick Workwize over Retriever?

    Features 

    Retriever

    Workwize

    Dashboard

    Procurement

    Asset management

    Only retrieval

    From procurement, managing, deployment, retrieval to disposal.

    Presence 

    Limited

    100+ countries

    Pickups 

    Customizations

    Limited

    Wide range of customizations

    APIs

    On bulk orders

    Furniture

    Support

    Provides packing materials and email communications for device returns.

    Comprehensive, including set up, management and disposal.

    Workwize Pros

    • The aesthetic UI is seamless and easy to navigate, making you fall in love with it and easily navigate it.

    • Its automation works for you - the whole IT asset lifecycle is handled.

    • With warehouses in 100+ countries, we are growing fast and continuously adding.

    • Highly responsive support.

    Pricing

    • Basic Plan: $8 per seat (+$540 platform fee)

    • Professional: $11 per seat (+$540 platform fee)

    • Enterprise: Custom pricing

    Automate the lifecycle of global IT hardware, from procurement to disposal—all with Workwize.

    DeviceRescue

     

     

    Device Rescue is an end-to-end service provider designed to simplify the process of retrieving laptops and accessories from ex or current employees. It does so by sending a durable and recyclable shipping box to the employee with necessary packaging details and a prepaid return label.

    The platform partners with trusted courier services and guarantees the safe and assured sourcing of assets. This association reduces administrative and logistical costs and empowers your team to work on other critical tasks. Its return services are flexible; for instance, whether you need high-volume returns or routine employee departure, Device Rescue tweaks accordingly.

    Price (per month)

    • Foundation - $0 (only pay-per-retrieval as you need them.)

    • Essentials - $79 (gain access to API, Lifecycle management, assignment history and more!)

    • Ultimate - $499 (store your unassigned devices in its warehouse and more!)

    Features

    • You can store the devices (laptops and accessories) in its warehouses until further assignment or future use.

    • The tool adheres to local compliance rules, eliminating international shipping and customs charges.

    • Each shipment comes with two tracking numbers, one for you and one for your employee for real-time tracking.

    • Its carriers are 100% carbon neutral, provided at no cost.

    Best for

    IT and HR teams.

    Pros

    • You can access tracking numbers, shipping status, and retrieval details.

    • There are unambiguous instructions for employees to box and return the laptop.

    Cons

    • Services limited to IT asset retrieval.

    • Cannot handle the retrieval of complicated server hardware and furniture.

    ReReady

     

     

    ReReady is a purpose-built platform for IT and HR teams to source laptops back from employees hassle-free. Initiating the return process takes just 2 minutes, and ReReady details the employee for packaging, postage, shipping, and delivery. 

    In case employees miss the return window, ReReady sends them up to 3 reminders. The tool integrates with Jamf, BambooHR, and Zenefits. It also offers its REST API, which you can use to integrate your app with ReReady. Leave all your logistical headaches to this TechTimes #1 ranked tool. Its few shipping carriers are USPS, Canada Post, Royal Mail, FedEx, UPS, and DHL. ReReady is functional in Canada, Mexico, the UK, and the USA.

    Price (per laptop return)

    Basic - $85

    Enterprise - +$10 (can be enabled or disabled at any time)

    It also offers shipping insurance, carrier requirements, encourages returns, adds protection and enables flexibility (all paid services).

    Features

    • The laptop box comes padded with space for headsets, chargers, and laptops.

    • It reduces the cost of returning laptops by 30%.

    • With the basic option, schedule pickup and enterprise package allow you to unlock customizations and automations.

    • It processes your bulk order within 2 days of receiving your payment authorization.

    Best for

    HR/IT teams looking to retrieve the laptops and accessories from remote employees.

    Pros

    • Its return cost is the lowest in the industry. 

    • It also offers international returns. 

    Cons

    • ReReady does not support post-pay billing like Net 30 or Net 60. 

    • It does not yet provide an option of wiping and re-provisioning laptops. 

    Growrk

    Growrk is a San Diego, CA-based end-to-end ITAM (IT asset management) tool for distributed teams in 150+ countries. It streamlines procurement, deployment, retrieval, and support for managing global inventory via a centralized dashboard.

    The tool offers imaging, MDM, identity management features, zero-touch deployment, and SSO for Windows, macOS, and Linux workstations. As a device retrieval tool, once it picks up the device and receives it at the warehouse, the device is wiped, and data sanitization is carried out. 

    Price

    Custom

    Features

    • Place the order in seconds and recover, clean, repair and reconfigure devices from dashboard.

    • Eliminate weeklong offboardings by collecting, servicing, and redeploying devices within days with its global storage facilities.

    • Monitors the health of IT devices throughout their lifecycle with analytical dashboards.

    • It offers certified device disposal services to recycle, donate, or buy back used equipment responsibly.

    Best for

    It suits companies looking to provide service with a distributed or remote workforce that needs IT equipment logistics and management.

    Pros

    • It's updating its functionality. 

    • It’s flexible and can work with any location for IT assets and inventory management.  

    Cons

    • It lacks a couple of integrations that can make it even more robust. 

    • It can make features to accommodate automated workflows for different scenarios. 

    Allwhere

    Allwhere is a New York-based ITAM software for procuring, managing, and retrieving IT devices in the US, EU, LATAM, and Australia/New Zealand. Its pricing can be customized for ongoing services and bulk retrieval orders, enabling end-to-end tracking and dedicated customer service and support.

    With Allwhere, you can return the device to your location or its warehouse for storage and future deployment. The retrieval process takes 2-3 hours, and employees can pack the laptop in less than 5 minutes with the padded box sent. It collaborates with enterprises to create holistic remote work solutions while managing the equipment life cycle and providing world-class onboarding, engagement, retention, and wellness programs.

    Price

    Custom

    Features

    • You are notified of every dispatch and delivery process step and the communication status between it and your employees.

    • It offers procurement and retrieval services globally, with US-based retrieval in less than a week. You can also get faster retrieval by associating with it.

    • It alerts your employee when their kit is dispatched, delivered, and received.

    • If you’re an enterprise, you can access the Allwhere dashboard to view and manage devices in one place.

    Best for

    HR and IT teams in firms with 100+ employees

    Pros

    • Its customer portal translates clarity and transparency of hardware in stock, in transit, and procured by employees. 

    • It helps create better processes across onboarding and offboarding. 

    Cons

    • The UX should be tested more thoroughly before deploying new builds. 

    • Price is on the higher side.

    Hofy

     

     

    Hofy is an IT device lifecycle management tool delivering services in 120+ countries. It allows you to store devices in its warehouses for as long as you need and reuse them across 50+ countries. It cleans, repairs, and repackages all devices before storage to be as good as new.

    It enrolls devices into MDM powered by Jumpcloud and enables remote locking or wiping of devices in cases of loss or theft. 

    Price

    Custom

    Features

    • Before redeployment, you can reconfigure your devices with the organization’s preferred apps and OS, viz. Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, and iOS devices.

    • It sets up the devices so your new joiner is ready to go on day 1.

    • It offers hardware support across all time zones and regions and comes with easy in-platform reporting of issues.

    • The tool integrates with 60+ HR for automation of employee onboarding and offboarding. 

    • Permanently erase device data to NIST 800-88 Purge standard facilitated by Blannco, the world-leading software for data erasure.

    Best for

    It is a better fit for a small, full-remote company.

    Pros

    • It checks all equipment through local H&S legislation before delivering to ensure the equipment your teams use complies with standards. 

    • If there is a fault with the product, Hofy replaces it free of charge. 

    • Works with Mobile Device/Unified Endpoint Management (MDM/UEM) service. 

    Cons

    • There can be more variety of products and lower price. 

    Firstbase

     

    Firstbase is an ITAM platform in 150+ countries that holistically procures, deploys, manages, and retrieves all your IT equipment. It is a scalable system that manages assets for your workforce, whether it has a team of 50 or 5000. You can equip your remote or in-office employees with laptops, monitors, keyboards, etc.

    It automates onboarding and lets employees choose best-of-breed devices, IT peripherals, and furniture in a self-service portal. Its retrieval rate is 97% without employees leaving their homes, and Firstbase manages all communication.

    It also has an extensive suite of integrations for popular tools like BambooHR, Gusto, ServiceNow, Oomnitza, and other HRIS, ITSM/ITAM platforms. You can also connect your tools to its already 100+ integrated apps.

    It has $100,000 saved in shipping, 5,000 hours saved in labor and 99% customer satisfaction rate.

    Price

    Custom

    Features

    • Connects workflows with existing HRIS and MDM solutions for managing the device fleet across platforms.

    • It combines employee experience and SaaS automation across administrative workflows and asset management.

    • The tool offers a vendor-neutral, flexible procurement approach for purchasing or leasing from it or simply shipping to return your equipment.

    • It can handle not only your new equipment but your legacy fleet as well.

    Best for

    Best for HT, IT, Finance, Facilities, or digital workforce.

    Pros

    • With its ability to deploy hardware anywhere globally, there is a quicker onboarding process. 

    • There is a quick response in case users are looking for support. 

    Cons

    • It’s a tad expensive for small companies. 

    • It does what you need it to do properly, but it doesn't offer any kind of audit logging or good view filtering. 

    CTA - Lepaya case study

     

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