How do I judge the age of an engineering firm’s CAD workstations and plotters?
Ask for an inventory listing each workstation and plotter with purchase date, specifications, repair history and the software it runs. Then test the machines on a real project. Age matters less than whether the equipment handles the firm’s current files, is supported and can be replaced on a plan.
Start with a written list: every workstation, plotter, scanner and server, with purchase dates, specifications and who uses each. Cross-check it against the fixed asset records that your accountant sees. Mismatches deserve a question.
Then try the equipment. Open a large current project and watch how it behaves. Ask staff what slows them down, which machines crash and which are avoided. Look at the plotters: print quality, supplies, service history and whether the manufacturer still supports the model. A machine that works but cannot be repaired is a future cost.
Last, think about replacement. Ask the owner whether there is a refresh plan and when the last major purchase happened. Check licences on the software to see that they are in the firm’s name and can transfer. A valuation professional can assess the equipment if its condition matters to the purchase, and your accountant can help you plan for replacement costs. Do not overlook the network and the backups that tie the machines together. An ageing server or a single external drive can be a bigger risk than an ageing workstation. Ask when a restore was last tested and who is responsible for it.
Key takeaways
- Get a full equipment list and compare it against the asset records.
- Run a large current project on the machines and ask staff what slows them down.
- Confirm software licences are in the firm’s name and will transfer.
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Sources
This answer is checked against primary sources. Links were last confirmed on the dates shown.
- 01Business Development Bank of CanadaGovernmentEquipment valuation: How to do it
- 02Business Development Bank of CanadaGovernmentHow to conduct due diligence when buying a business
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