Total cost of ownership: understanding and reducing hidden costs

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Total cost of ownership

Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) considers the total costs of a product or service over its entire life cycle - from purchase to disposal. In addition to the purchase price, operating costs, maintenance, repairs and other follow-up costs such as energy consumption, training and insurance are also included. This comprehensive approach helps companies to realistically assess the actual costs of an investment and identify long-term savings potential.

By taking TCO into account, companies can not only uncover hidden costs, but also make informed decisions that are both economical and sustainable. Investments that appear cheaper at first glance can turn out to be more expensive due to high operating costs. A thorough TCO comparison ensures that the most cost-efficient and durable solution is chosen, which helps to improve competitiveness in the long term.

Consider direct and indirect costs:

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While many companies only consider the purchase price, TCO provides a more comprehensive overview by also including ongoing costs such as maintenance, operation and disposal. This prevents nasty surprises and helps to understand the actual total costs.

Why TCO is indispensable:

‍Aneffective TCO approach helps companies to identify hidden costs and save money in the long term. In many cases, a more expensive product proves to be the better choice when the total cost of ownership is lower.

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