Lifecycle Management

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Construct a plan based on the components that make up the system and the sensitivity to change each customer's application. Manage the lifecycle proactively to avoid surprises. We categorize the components for each application based on their dynamics and use that to create a lifecycle management and communication plan.

 

Critical components

Critical components impact the performance and compatibility of the application, impact the user experience and regulatory compliance. These make up the "Core Platform". The shipping life of the Core Platform is defined and communicated before the product is launched to production.

  • Common critical components are the single board / motherboard, power supply, I/O cards, LCD panel, inverter, chassis and video card.
Leverage long life (3+ years), embedded class products. Itemize individual EOL dates and provide quarterly updates. Provide 180 days visibility to EOL and opportunity for EOL purchase.

 

Active components

Active components impact the performance of the system but do not effect the software, regulatory or customer experience.

  • Hard disk drive, DVD RW drive, memory modules, fans
Leverage existing suppliers and/or supply chain to provide predictable availability life and visibility to changes. Bundle changes into planned updates to the BOM and validate the impact on the application if any.

Provide EOL buy opportunity to extend life and skip generations of changes. Communicate component lifecycles quarterly and at least 60 days EOL notification.

 

Non-Critical components

Passive items such as cables, packaging, fans

  • Minimize and record changes, and bundle with other updates i.e. annual update
By defining the shipping life of the Core Platform and clearly managing and structuring and changes to other components during that life, we help the OEM create a consistent, structured installed base that is easy to maintain. The Plan is customized to each customer’s application so that it is coordinated to their business cycles, adding value rather than creating distractions.