Lenovo’s ‘Lost & Found’ Helps Retrieve Missing ThinkPads
ThinkPad laptop customers will have their machines enabled with Absolute Software’s Computrace for Lenovo and enrolled in Lenovo’s computer ID program.
Lenovo, maker of PCs, has a new service for forgetful computer users. Its new Lo
st & Found service aims to make it easy for anyone who has lost a ThinkPad laptop to have that machine returned.
Available exclusively for owners of ThinkPad laptops enabled with Absolute Software‘s Computrace, Lenovo is providing the service free with purchase.
The Lost & Found service for Lenovo from Computrace combines software and security tools from Lenovo and Absolute Software with additional alerts that help make it easy to return missing PCs to their registered owners.
In a company press release, Lenovo states, “Considering that a lost laptop can cost a company almost $50,000 on average in data breaches, lost data, lost productivity, and legal and regulatory expenses–not to mention replacing the laptop itself–the ability to securely retrieve a lost laptop could help businesses save millions in the long run.”
Citing this downloadable PDF from Ponemon Institute, sponsored by Intel, entitled “The Cost of a Lost Laptop,” Lenovo company press release calls attention to the value in having a lost laptop returned. “Considering that a lost laptop can cost a company almost $50,000 on average in data breaches, lost data, lost productivity, and legal and regulatory expenses–not to mention replacing the laptop itself–the ability to securely retrieve a lost laptop could help businesses save millions in the long run.”
Lenovo vice president and general manager of software Peter Schrady says the Lost & Found “gives the Good Samaritans who find a lost ThinkPad laptop a free and simple way to return a ThinkPad laptop to its rightful owner.
“In an incredibly fast-paced, mobile work environment accidents happen,” Schrady says. “This service can provide added peace of mind for owners who misplace their laptops. At the same time, Lenovo makes it easy for people to do the right thing.”
Richard Cohen, senior vice president of business development at Absolute Software, says the Lost & Found program should help bring peace of mind. “This new service combined with our Theft Recovery Team protects ThinkPad customers from both accidental loss and the theft of their computers,” he says.
How It Works
Lenovo Lost & Found provides a five-step process for lost ThinkPad laptops to be identified and returned to their owners.
- If the PC is lost, the owner can flag it with Absolute to have the PC automatically lock if turned on. If it’s turned on, the screen can display a message indicating the laptop is lost and will provide a toll-free number to return the laptop. Alternatively, anyone who finds a ThinkPad laptop can call the toll-free number for Lenovo found on a sticker on the outside of the laptop.
- Lenovo receives the call, confirms the registration of the laptop for Lost & Found. Then it sends a pre-paid shipping box to the finder.
- The finder sends the ThinkPad laptop to Lenovo.
- Lenovo ships the laptop to the owner.
- The owner unlocks the returned ThinkPad through Absolute and continues working with his laptop.
The Lenovo Lost & Found service will be available in the U.S., starting this month. Lost & Found is available at no additional cost to customers who purchase a ThinkPad laptop and Absolute Software’s Computrace for Lenovo from Lenovo sales channels.
