Maximize Lifecycle Support for OEM Equipment: End of Maintenance Prep

In the rapidly evolving landscape of technology, the size and intricacy of enterprise networks are expanding at an unprecedented rate. This growth has prompted numerous businesses to contemplate transitioning from Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) services and support to third-party maintenance (TPM). A study by Gartner (1) highlighted that while OEM and TPM support contracts offer comparable coverage, companies can achieve cost savings ranging from 30-50% by opting for TPM.

Moreover, TPMs can extend support even after the equipment reaches its end-of-service-life (EOSL), where OEM warranties typically lapse. But the advantages of partnering with third-party maintenance providers continue beyond there. They bring a plethora of additional, significant benefits to the table.

Advantages of Collaborating with a Third-Party Maintenance Provider:

Prolonging Equipment Lifespan

TPMs are pivotal in ensuring businesses extract the utmost value from their Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) investments. A staggering 78% of IT managers, prioritizing the extension of their functional physical assets, have sought the expertise of TPMs. This ensures that equipment reaches its full potential service life, directly boosting the company's profitability.

Lease-back Opportunities

Certain TPMs, including Maintech, offer an innovative solution to purchase a company's CAPEX investment and then lease it back on a per-site or per-node basis. This ingenious approach transforms CAPEX into Operating Expense (OPEX). Such a transition grants businesses enhanced expenditure flexibility, ensuring improved returns for stakeholders and simplifying inter-company and intra-company cost allocations.

Comprehensive Asset Discovery and Reporting

TPMs aren't restricted to monitoring equipment from a singular manufacturer. For instance, Maintech can furnish exhaustive asset discovery and reporting tools, offering a holistic infrastructure overview irrespective of the equipment's OEM origins. This ensures that all pertinent assets, irrespective of their manufacturer or location (be, varying data centers or international sites), are accounted for. Such a comprehensive view empowers businesses to reassess their infrastructure, identify opportunities to reallocate resources, enhance network functionality, and realize cost savings.

Unwavering Commitment to Service

OEMs predominantly focus on product sales, often viewing service as an avenue for upselling. While sales figures gauge their success, service-only TPMs measure their success based on the quality and customization of their services. This undivided attention ensures that businesses receive top-tier services without the pressure of premature equipment investments.

Cost-effective Overhead Management

OEMs bear the burden of substantial corporate overheads, encompassing research, development, product manufacturing, and software creation. These overhead costs often trickle down to product and service contract pricing. In contrast, TPMs operate with a tailored service delivery infrastructure, ensuring clients are billed solely for the services without hidden overhead charges.

The Interplay of Maintenance and Reliability in Asset Management:

Asset management isn't solely about maintenance; it's also about reliability. While maintenance pertains to the immediate, tactical management of assets, reliability focuses on a strategic, long-term approach, anticipating future requirements and preempting failures. Though interconnected, these two facets have distinct priorities that must be harmoniously managed to ensure the business's overall well-being.

A TPM, with its client-centric approach, is devoid of any allegiance to specific OEMs. This impartiality ensures that they work diligently to prolong equipment lifespans, offering support even after the manufacturers' EOSL dates. Furthermore, TPMs assist businesses in striking the right balance between CAPEX and OPEX, furnishing detailed asset reports, and aligning their services with the client's priorities, devoid of ulterior motives.

Sources:

‍1. Gartner Research on Third-Party Maintenance

Takeaways from the Article:

Transitioning from OEM to TPM:

The technological landscape is rapidly evolving, leading many businesses to consider shifting from OEM services to third-party maintenance (TPM). Opting for TPM can result in cost savings of 30-50%.

Extended Support with TPMs:

TPMs offer support even after equipment reaches its end-of-service-life (EOSL), where OEM warranties typically end.

Benefits of Third-Party Maintenance Providers:

TPMs help businesses maximize their Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) investments, offer lease-back opportunities, provide comprehensive asset discovery and reporting, ensure unwavering commitment to service, and manage overhead costs effectively.

Maintenance vs. Reliability in Asset Management:

While maintenance focuses on immediate asset management, reliability takes a strategic, long-term approach. Both are crucial for a business's overall well-being.

TPM's Client-Centric Approach:

TPMs, being impartial and not tied to specific OEMs, work diligently to prolong equipment lifespans and offer support beyond manufacturers' EOSL dates.

Main Point Reminder:

‍Third-party maintenance providers offer a comprehensive, client-centric approach to asset management, ensuring businesses receive top-tier services, extended equipment lifespans, and cost-effective solutions tailored to their needs.

‍