EOL vs. EoSL

 

Imagine that you got a message from your hardware manufacturer saying they were discontinuing support for one of the most vital parts of your company. If you get a notice like this from the original equipment manufacturer (OEM), it means the equipment is entering one of two stages: End of Life (EoL) or End of Service Life (EoSL). So what’s the difference between the two? Keep reading to find out what these terms mean and how a third-party maintenance (TPM) solution can help you minimise their effects.

 

What is EOL?

 

The abbreviation for End of Life might sound gruesome but it doesn’t mean your equipment will suddenly just give up and die! Instead, it means that the OEM will no longer produce any more units of that model. This will usually be down to the fact that the manufacturer has a new generation coming up or a completely different product they want to focus on. Typically, the firmware is stable at this point, so you probably won’t have any updates or patches come through. The OEM might still offer maintenance and post-warranty support on EoL products but these tend to be costly. At this stage, you can probably get a good few years out of your hardware, so TPM comes as one of your best options.

 

What Is EoSL?

The biggest differentiating factor between End of Life vs. End of Service Life is support. The EoSL designation is a little more final than EoL. At this stage, the OEM won’t offer any more maintenance or support. If they do support the hardware in some way, they may charge you greatly for the service. You also won’t see firmware updates or patches for the product.

Some issues that can pop up when a product reaches EoSL without you noticing include the following:

• Decreased performance
• Software compatibility issues
• Security weaknesses, though patches may still come through or be available through other sources
• Lower operating efficiency

 

Why is OEM so expensive?

 

OEMs are not service companies. They make a profit by turning around new products and generating upgrades. OEMs charge a high amount for EoL services for a few reasons:

• Their business model is not intended for long-term service. The high prices of their policy keep things profitable for them. Remember, they generally want to focus on creating and selling products, not servicing existing ones.
• Their part supply diminishes after production stops. As OEMs run out of refurbished parts, they may have trouble procuring necessary components. During your initial warranty phase, which is usually two or three years after the purchase date, manufacturers have plenty of access to these components and often supply you with new ones as needed. The further your product gets from the EoL date, the harder and more expensive it is to get certified, quality parts.

Third-Party Maintenance (TPM) Solutions

A TPM company can step in when the OEM support ends and keep your hardware running smoothly for years after its EoL or EoSL. Just because the manufacturer stopped supporting your equipment doesn’t mean it can’t continue supporting your business.

Cameo has access to OEM parts through trusted channels or the OEMs themselves. We provide expert service at an even higher level of care than the OEM, but at a much lower cost. Our TPM solutions exceed the original service level agreement, which can allow you to free up capital and use your hardware as you see fit.

Whether you only need online technical support or you want a comprehensive maintenance solution, Cameo can help. Our experts provide 24/7 access to assistance that fits your business needs and tailor solutions to allow your business to run smoothly.