Peak Usage or Short-Term Projects: Renting is a cost-effective option if you only need the equipment for a short time.

Software Testing, Proof of Concept and Virtualization: Rentals let you test whether a new hardware or software solution will work in your data center before you purchase it.

Data Center Migration: Rentals can keep your data center operational during a move.

Disaster Recovery: In the event of a disaster or an unplanned outage, rentals can keep your business running until your own equipment is backed up.

don't have to pay the full cost of the asset up front, so you don't use up your cash or have to borrow money

you have access to a higher standard of equipment, which might be too expensive for you to buy outright

pay for the asset over the fixed period of time that you use it, which helps you budget for the future

as interest rates on monthly rental costs are usually fixed, it is easier to forecast cashflow

you can spread the cost over a longer period of time and match payments to your income

the business can usually deduct the full cost of lease rentals from taxable income

if you have not bought the asset outright, you won't have to worry about any overdraft or other loan taken out to finance the purchase being withdrawn at short notice, forcing early repayment

if you use an operating lease or contract hire, you may not have to worry about maintenance

the leasing company carries the risks if the equipment breaks down

he leasing company can usually get better deals on price than a small business could and will have superior product knowledge

on 'long funding leases' - finance leases over seven years and sometimes over five years; and some long operating leases - you can claim capital allowances on the cost of the assets

if you need to upgrade or replace the equipment, you can simply make a small adjustment to your regular payment rather than invest a lump sum upfront