Increasing Hardware Maintenance Costs, Security Problems and frustrating Hardware Replacements of Assets working just fine were some of the driving forces behind developing a Third-party Maintenance (TPM) Service.

IT Infrastructure Maintenance includes Maintaining and Optimizing Servers, Storage and Networking Equipment of your Enterprise.

In order to ensure high yielding performance for the long haul, keeping them in top form is quintessential. Maintenance Strategies and Support Plans that are already employed for your IT Assets usually include Other Equipment Manufacturer (OEM). There has been a gradual yet steady shift towards a better solution for Data Center Maintenance, that is, Third-party Services.

Switching to Third-party Maintenance can save you up to 60% of Maintenance Costs. However, Industry experts suggest that the Market penetration of Third-party Maintenance is less than 10% which indicates the lack of important insights regarding the power of an efficient TPM Service and bias towards conventional methods of IT Assets Management. This article will break down the implementations of Third-party Management (TPM), why it is a winning strategy and what it can do for you.

OEM Maintenance vs Third-party Maintenance - Which is the best solution for your Data Center ?

Conventional OEM Services are designed to sell you Equipment and not Service. Consider the following comparison between OEM and TPM

Cost-efficiency :

By increasing the cost of Maintenance as the Hardware gets old, OEMs corner you into buying new "upgraded" versions. In addition, the Post-warranty Services provided by OEM are ever escalating, so there is no escaping that.

On the other hand, TPM provides cost-effective solutions to your Hardware problems. With meaningful enhancements of your Assets, TPM ensures your Return on Investment (ROI) is high. In fact, TPMs can offer affordable extended coverage plans to serve you better. You can easily look at saving 30 to 70 percent on Hardware Maintenance when you transition to TPM.

Longer Hardware Lifecycle :

When your Equipment's EOL/EOSL expiration dates are around the corner, OEM starts cornering you into buying new products. They do so even if your already existing equipment is fully functional and doesn't have to be replaced at all.

On the other hand, TPM Service Providers make sure that your Hardware continues to serve you for as long as possible instead of telling you to get rid of it. With efficient EOSL Device Support, TPM can keep your Hardware up and running so that the Return on Investment (ROI) for your Hardware is satisfactory,

Multi-vendor Coverage :

With OEM, you will be made to carry several Agreements for every Brand as a Single OEM Service Provider caters to only one Brand's Hardware, specifically their own.

TPM provides more holistic support. Third-party Maintenance Engineers are trained to deal with a variety of Storage, Server and Network Equipment of multiple Manufacturers. They have OEM and TPM Certifications. Every Term and Condition will come under one single Contract, thus mitigating the hassle of juggling through multiple Agreements.

Better Customer Service and Customized Solutions :

Frustration is common while dealing with OEM representatives. Their "Our way is the only way" is limiting and pressurizing at the same time. In addition, it is common to experience penalty costs and delays when requesting Customization.

On the other hand, TPMs have a Customer-centric approach. Therefore, they attend to your grievances more proactively. This Problem-solving approach is what sets them apart from traditional OEM Services. The hallmark of TPM is customized SLAs are focussed on solving your problems instead of creating new ones.

With TPM, you can upgrade Technology as and when needed and not according to the refresh cycles of Maintenance. With a wide range of options and greater flexibility, you get to take charge of your money and extend the lifecycle of your Equipment.

Still having doubts about TPM ? Then consider reading the following excerpt from Accenture's recent Industry Trend Report, one of the most reliable Information Sources in the world of Business and IT Industry :

"Whether considering Outsourced Support for the first-time or re-examining existing Agreements, be sure to consider Third-party options. Despite complexities such as unbundling existing Hardware and Software Maintenance Agreements, the savings potential can be substantial (30 to 60%), not to mention the benefits of Inventory Management Services, flexible SLAs and other benefits."

How to implement a TPM Model which works for you ?

TPM is being considered as the future of Data Center Maintenance by leading IT experts. However, to ensure your Hardware Maintenance is streamlined with OEM Agreements that are already in place in your Data Center, you can go for a blended approach that most Companies are opting for. A Hybrid Model enables you to extend the Lifecycle of the IT Asset and manage upgrades imposed by OEMs. Finding the sweet spot where TPM becomes one with your OEM ecosystem will ensure that you minimize risk and maximize the life span of the Equipment. Consider the following approach to put together a system of IT Maintenance which works in your favor.

Initial Period : The Period before the first Contract Renewal usually lasts for one or three, or five years. OEM covers Software Upgrades in this Period. It is recommended to stick to their Services for the initial years of the Lifecycle of the IT Asset.

Limiting OEM Services : Eventually lower your dependence on OEM Support and limit their utility to Software Upadtes only.

Just Before Contract Renewal : When your Renewal is approaching, OEMs begin releasing and pushing new Hardware Upgrades, Firmware and Software Changes and other Upgrades by OEMs. It would be best to consider switching to TPM well before that happens (a good time would be in the third or fourth year of Service Life)

Conditional Use of OEM : It is wise to maintain OEM Services for Critical Hardware or a few designations such as Networking Assets. Employ TPM only for specific Equipment, especially EOSL Systems that your Enterprise is still planning to use.

Contact thomastech : A trusted Third-Party Maintenance Provider

At Thomastech, we are passionate about skyrocketing your Efficiency and providing a System of IT Asset Management that is in sync with your demands. We are a group of experienced and highly qualified industry experts who help you throughout your Hardware Maintenance journey. With low-cost solutions which work for you instead of against you, we create an ecosystem wherein high-performance takes the front seat. We provide excellent customer service with lucrative solutions since our primary target is customer satisfaction, not sales.

For more information about the people, processes, and services of thomastech’s IT support, visit our website at https://thomastechllc.com/. Complete the brief Contact form, and one of our associates will be pleased to contact you for a confidential consultation regarding your IT needs.