As the use of tablets in business has become widespread, there is an increasing demand for "temporary use" in situations like exhibitions and training. Renting tablets by the day for corporations is gaining attention as an option that allows access to the latest devices while keeping initial investment low.

This article explains everything from key points for one-day tablet rentals to comparisons with purchasing and leasing.

Key Benefits of One-Day Tablet Rental

Tablets are often needed for short-term events and meetings. The situation of "not needing to buy but needing temporarily" occurs in many companies. Short-term rental has clear advantages compared to purchasing.

We will explain why one-day tablet rental is chosen, not only from a cost perspective but also from an operational and implementation standpoint.

High Cost Reduction Effect

The biggest advantage of renting a tablet for just one day is the overwhelming cost reduction effect compared to purchasing. If you buy a tablet, a typical business model requires an initial investment of about 50,000 to 100,000 yen per device.

However, with rental, it's often possible to use one for a few thousand yen per day. For example, if you need 30 tablets for an exhibition for one day, purchasing them would require an investment of over 1.5 million yen, whereas renting could cost around 30,000 yen. Especially when projects need to be executed within a limited budget, the value of rental in significantly reducing initial investment is very high. Since asset capitalization and depreciation procedures are also unnecessary, the burden on accounting staff is also reduced.

Opportunity to Try Out the Latest Models

The tablet market is characterized by rapid technological innovation, and being able to test the latest models in actual business operations before purchasing is a significant advantage. If you buy a device, you'll be using the same model for several years, but with rental, you can easily try out the latest models.

If your sales department is considering introducing tablets, you can first rent several models for a day to try them out before deciding on a purchase. Using them in actual business operations allows you to experience usability and practicality that you can't discern from specifications alone. The ability to confirm practicality in real-world use, such as "Is this model suitable for our company's operations?" or "Do the necessary applications work without problems?", is also an important factor. Since expensive IT investments are difficult to change once decided, such trial opportunities are crucial.

No Need for Maintenance or Servicing

When purchasing tablets in-house, the company incurs maintenance and servicing duties, such as dealing with malfunctions and managing OS updates. However, a one-day rental eliminates these burdens.

Rental companies always provide equipment in good working order, so users don't need to worry about maintenance. In the event of a malfunction, most rental companies offer support such as arranging replacement devices, whereas if you purchase, securing a replacement during the repair period would incur additional costs.

For small and medium-sized enterprises without dedicated IT staff, the benefit of maintenance-free operation is particularly significant. Furthermore, many rental companies offer services to completely erase data after rental for security purposes, making information leakage risk management easier.

Disadvantages of One-Day Tablet Rental

While one-day tablet rental offers many advantages, it also has disadvantages compared to purchasing. Especially for corporate use, understanding these limitations will help you find the most optimal way to utilize them.

Potentially Higher Cost in the Long Run

While rental is cost-effective for short-term use, it can become more expensive than purchasing if used frequently. For example, if you use a tablet more than 5 days a month, it might be more economical to consider purchasing or monthly leasing rather than repeatedly renting for a single day.

Generally, the daily rental fee is around 1,000 to 3,000 yen per device, but for a large number of devices, even a few uses per month can approach the cost of purchasing. If usage is regular, a cost comparison between rental, lease, and purchase is necessary.

Also, penalties for late returns and compensation costs for device damage or loss should be considered. These can sometimes be more expensive than insurance for purchased items, so it's important to carefully review the contract terms.

Setup Takes Time

Rented tablets are generally provided in their initial state, so necessary initial setup tasks are required each time, unlike continuously using a device that has been set up once after purchase.

For example, if you need to apply the same settings to 20 tablets for an exhibition, even if it takes 15 minutes per tablet, the total setup time will be over 5 hours. If you owned the devices, you would only set them up once and continue to use them, but with rental, this task will be required each time.

This issue can be resolved by utilizing a kitting service. By using this service, offered by many rental companies, devices can be delivered with the necessary settings already applied. Additionally, by using the data erasure service after rental, information security measures can also be made complete.

Risk of Not Being Able to Secure Desired Models

While purchasing ensures you have the device when needed, with rental, there's a risk that popular tablet models or the latest devices may not be available on your desired date, especially during periods of high demand like exhibition seasons, when this problem becomes more pronounced.

Popular models like iPads tend to be fully booked, and last-minute requests may not be fulfilled. Also, if you need a large number of identical models, stock shortages might prevent you from getting the desired quantity. The biggest disadvantage compared to purchasing is this difference in "certainty." To avoid this risk, it's crucial to request a quote and consult as early as possible. Generally, we recommend inquiring and getting a quote at least one month before the usage date, or two to three months in advance during peak seasons. It's also reassuring to consider alternative models.

How to Choose a Tablet Rental Service

When choosing a one-day tablet rental service for corporations, there are different checkpoints than when purchasing. It's important to assess the quality of the rental service by comparing it with the maintenance and operation system of purchased devices.

Confirm Transparency of Pricing System

When choosing a tablet rental service, the most important thing is the transparency of the pricing system. While initial costs and maintenance fees are clear when purchasing, in the case of rental, various additional costs may arise beyond the displayed basic fee.

You'll need to check in advance how much additional fees will be incurred, such as delivery fees, insurance premiums, extension fees, and cancellation fees. A good rental service will clearly display these costs, preventing unexpected expenses.

Also, it's good to check if there are discounts for renting multiple units or for continuous use. Some rental companies offer quantity discounts, so it's important to consider these when comparing the total cost with purchasing.

Level of Support System

When using tablets for important occasions like events or seminars, the support system in case of trouble is even more crucial than when purchasing. While manufacturer support for purchased equipment can take time, rental often offers quicker response times.

It is recommended to check contingency plans, such as whether there is a consultation desk and how replacement devices are provided in emergencies. Especially for important presentations or large-scale events, the comprehensiveness of this support system can determine success.

Many major rental companies have dedicated technical support teams that provide a wide range of support, from answering questions about operation to dealing with malfunctions. The quick response time is a significant advantage compared to manufacturer support for purchased items.

Device Types and Specifications

The models and types of devices handled vary greatly by rental company, and whether the rental company has devices that meet your company's needs is an important factor in service selection. While you can freely choose a device if you purchase it, rentals have restrictions on available models.

Major rental companies offer a wide range of models, from iPad series to Android and Windows tablets, allowing selection based on OS and specifications. Especially for applications that require compatibility and processing power, it is essential to confirm whether models meeting the necessary specifications are available.

Of particular note is the availability of specialized tablets for business use. For example, whether the rental company can meet your needs, such as rugged models with high shock resistance or models specialized for long battery life, will also be a selection criterion.

Frequently Asked Questions about One-Day Tablet Rental

Corporate clients considering one-day tablet rentals often have various questions, including comparisons with purchasing. Here are answers to such questions in Q&A format.

How many days before the rental date should I inquire?

It is ideal to inquire about tablet rental at least 10 business days before the usage date. Especially when a large number of units are required or specific models are requested, early inquiry is essential. During peak seasons (fiscal year-end or exhibition seasons), it is even safer to inquire 2 weeks to 1 month in advance. While many rental companies will consider urgent requests, understand that choices may be limited.

Can applications be installed in advance?

Many rental companies offer kitting services (pre-configuration services) for an additional fee. While you would need to set up the devices yourself if you purchased them, utilizing this service with rental can ensure they are ready for immediate use upon delivery.

Typically, kitting services cost around 2,000 to 5,000 yen per device and include initial setup such as installing specified applications, Wi-Fi configuration, and account settings.

However, for paid applications, you need to check the details in advance due to account and licensing issues. Even with purchased devices, initial setup is required, but a benefit of rental is that this service can save you the effort.

Summary

One-day tablet rental for corporations is an option that allows you to utilize the latest devices while significantly reducing initial investment compared to purchasing. While it offers many advantages such as cost efficiency, opportunities to try out the latest models, and reduced maintenance burden, it also has disadvantages such as increased costs for long-term use and setup efforts.

When choosing a rental service, it is important to prioritize transparent pricing, comprehensive support, and a wide selection of models. It is essential to view purchasing and renting not as opposing choices, but as options to be used selectively depending on the purpose.

Especially during temporary demand surges for short-term events like exhibitions, one-day tablet rental will be the optimal solution. With proper planning and preparation, you can maximize the potential of tablet rental and contribute to business efficiency and success.

PRODIG Rental, which rents smartphones, tablets, and PCs for corporations, offers a wide variety of models and the industry's most affordable plans.

If you are looking to reduce costs or are facing urgent circumstances, please contact us first.

▼ If you need to purchase iPads for company use but want to keep costs down, why not look for used products?

▼ We will purchase unneeded devices from company device replacements and other situations at a high price!