The Situation
A state government department had 3,500 tablets reaching the end of their lease term. Before the devices could be returned to the leasing company, every tablet needed condition verification, certified data wiping and detailed documentation for asset reconciliation. Units that passed inspection would be prepared for redeployment within other government agencies. Units that failed would be flagged for secure disposal.
The department's IT team didn't have the capacity to process this volume in-house. Their small team was already stretched managing day-to-day device support for thousands of staff. They needed a partner that could handle the physical processing at scale while meeting strict government data security requirements.
The Challenge
Government device processing is not standard warehouse work. Every tablet had to go through a documented chain of custody from receipt to final disposition. Data security was the top priority, and the wipe process had to meet Department of Defense (DoD) erasure standards with individual certification per device.
Each tablet needed physical inspection to assess screen condition, battery health, charging port functionality and casing integrity. Devices were then categorized as either redeployment-ready or flagged for secure disposal. Every device, regardless of condition, required serial number capture and reconciliation against the department's asset register to ensure complete accountability.
The department needed the entire project completed within 10 business days to meet lease return deadlines. Missing the deadline would trigger extended lease charges across the full fleet.
The Response
CleverPak set up a dedicated processing line at one of our facilities specifically for this project. The team designed a workflow that moved each tablet through five stations in sequence: intake and serial number capture, physical condition assessment, certified data wipe, categorization and final documentation.
A team of trained operators processed tablets through each station, with supervisors managing quality gates between stages. CleverPak Connect tracked every device through the workflow, recording serial numbers, condition assessments, wipe certifications and final disposition status in real time. The department's asset management team had full visibility into progress without needing to visit the facility.
All data wipes followed DoD-standard erasure protocols, with individual wipe certificates generated per device. The certificates documented the wipe method, completion timestamp and verification status for every tablet processed.
The Results
The project was completed on time and with full audit compliance.
| Metric | Result |
|---|---|
| Tablets processed | 3,500 |
| Data wipe standard | DoD-standard certified erasure |
| Serial numbers reconciled | 100% matched to asset register |
| Units cleared for redeployment | 2,870 (82%) |
| Units flagged for secure disposal | 630 (18%) |
| Processing time | 10 business days |
| Audit compliance | 100% |
| Extended lease charges | $0 (deadline met) |
Key Takeaways
This project shows how contract packing capabilities extend well beyond traditional packaging into specialized processing work.
Government work demands documentation, not just throughput. Every device needed an auditable trail from intake to disposition. CleverPak Connect provided the digital backbone for full traceability, giving the department audit-ready records without manual reporting.
Data security can't be an afterthought. DoD-standard wipes with individual device certification gave the department confidence that sensitive government data was properly destroyed. This level of security documentation was a non-negotiable requirement, and our process was built around it from day one.
Physical processing at scale is what CleverPak does. Whether it's tablets, cosmetics or food products, the core capability is the same: trained teams, structured workflows, quality checkpoints and real-time tracking. The 82% redeployment rate saved the department significant replacement costs by extending the useful life of devices that were still in good working condition.
The department has since engaged CleverPak for two additional device processing programs, including laptop end-of-lease returns and mobile phone fleet refreshes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does CleverPak handle secure data destruction for all device types?
Yes. CleverPak processes tablets, laptops, mobile phones and other electronic devices with certified data wipe protocols. We support multiple erasure standards including DoD 5220.22-M and NIST 800-88 guidelines. Every device receives an individual wipe certificate documenting the erasure method and verification status.
Can CleverPak process devices for non-government customers?
Absolutely. We handle device processing for enterprise customers, leasing companies and IT asset disposition programs across both public and private sectors. The same structured workflow, documentation standards and security protocols apply regardless of the customer.
What happens to devices that fail inspection?
Devices that don't meet the redeployment criteria are flagged for secure disposal and segregated from the compliant units. We document the failure reason for each device and coordinate with certified e-waste disposal partners if the customer needs end-of-life processing. Full chain of custody is maintained from intake through disposal.