No doubt you’ve had considerable experience with OEM support ending on your IT equipment over the years. If you’re experiencing this for the first time, it might incite a bit of minor panic since you’ve perhaps relied on this support for a while. Original equipment manufacturers frequently want to move on from legacy support because they want to build their own future.
In many ways, OEM support ending after two or more years is a symbiotic process, if by force. They’re essentially weaning you off OEM support reliance so you can benefit from third-party maintenance.
Going with a third-party maintenance plan isn’t a bad transition for various reasons, though you’ll want to know when it’s appropriate. It’s better to transition before your OEM support ends so you won’t have to scramble to find something suitable.
Declining Value in OEM Support Agreements
For some IT equipment, it’s sometimes possible to enter a longer OEM support agreement than others. Often, they’ll allow you to enjoy several years of support and then extend to a limited point through contract renewals.
Maybe you’re doing this now. Regardless, it’s worth noting as each year ensues, you’re receiving less support value. Since many IT manufacturers want to move forward to provide new technologies you’ll want to buy, they don’t waste time with an entire decade or more of support privileges.
When you start losing OEM support value, it could place you in jeopardy if you have a serious IT issue arise. An emergency might come up and you’ll realize the 24/7 support you once enjoyed is now extremely limited or non-existent.
If you find yourself in a tech emergency on a weekend or holiday, you’re basically left on your own to find technical help.
This is why you’re better off switching to third-party maintenance before your OEM support starts to degrade in quality.
The Growth of Third-Party Maintenance
Dissatisfaction with OEM support is one of the main reasons companies switch to third-party maintenance recently. According to statistics, 75% of companies make this switch because OEM support didn’t help with changing business requirements.
Data like this shows why maintenance from outside sources has rapid growth in IT departments worldwide.
When you find a new maintenance team, you’re going to discover they give you far more benefits than if sticking long-term with the OEM process.
Costs and Customization
It’s going to cost less hiring a third-party maintenance company because you’re basically outsourcing much of the technical help. They already have a dedicated team that’s going to monitor your IT equipment and even provide remote support when needed. In many cases, this means using pre-owned equipment, despite many businesses preferring this to save money.
You’re also giving yourself far more freedom. OEM support systems frequently prevent you from using your network for the entirety of its useful life. Now you can, including adding things to it the original manufacturer didn’t allow.
Better IT Management
Keep in mind you’re going to receive excellent IT management going through a third-party source. Many of these maintenance companies offer IT advisors, something you wouldn’t find with the OEM.
Through your advisor, they’ll guide you through any upgrades you want to do, the best equipment to use, and how much money you should spend.
With the new trend being decoupling hardware and software to extend the tech life cycle, a new IT paradigm is already here. Keeping costs under control is obviously a major hurdle for all companies. Now you can stop playing risk, especially when relying on security technology.
Visit us at Abtech Technologies to ask about our security products to augment business continuity and compliance.
