Third-Party Maintenance (TPM) is a cost-effective alternative to OEM support for IT hardware like servers, storage, and networking equipment. TPM providers extend hardware life beyond OEM end-of-support, offering flexible SLAs, expert repairs, and proactive maintenance—typically saving businesses 40-70% compared to OEM contracts. Ideal for EOL/EOSL systems.
Understanding Third-Party Maintenance (TPM)
Simple Definition of TPM
Third-Party Maintenance (TPM) is hardware support provided by independent companies after the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) stops supporting a product. TPM covers servers, storage, and networking equipment, keeping critical infrastructure running smoothly—without the sky-high OEM price tags.
✅ Discover thomastech’s approach to TPM services
How TPM Differs from OEM Support
OEM SupportThird-Party Maintenance (TPM)
Focused on selling new hardware Focused on extending hardware lifespan
High-cost, rigid support contracts Flexible, affordable service agreements
Stops support at EOL/EOSL Supports EOL/EOSL hardware for years
Limited to their own brand Multi-vendor, multi-generational coverage
Standard SLAs with little flexibility Customizable SLAs tailored to business needs
🛠️ See which products thomastech supports
Why TPM Exists: Supporting EOL/EOSL Hardware When OEMs Won’t
When hardware reaches End-of-Life (EOL) or End-of-Service-Life (EOSL), OEMs prioritize pushing new sales, leaving companies stranded with critical systems still in production. TPM exists to fill this gap—offering expert maintenance, spare parts, and proactive support to keep legacy equipment reliable and secure.
TPM empowers businesses to:
- Avoid premature hardware refreshes
- Reduce maintenance costs by 40-70%
- Maintain operational stability without OEM lock-in
📚 Learn more about why TPM matters in our articles
🆘 Contact thomastech support for legacy system help
🌐 Visit thomastech to get started
Key Benefits of Third-Party Maintenance
Cost Savings: 40-70% Less Than OEM Support
TPM slashes support costs by 40-70% compared to OEM contracts. With no hidden fees and no forced hardware upgrades, businesses keep their budgets under control while maintaining reliable infrastructure.
💡 See how thomastech helps reduce maintenance costs
Extended Hardware Life: Avoid Premature Upgrades
OEMs push expensive refresh cycles even when your equipment works fine. TPM extends hardware life by 3-5+ years, maximizing ROI and delaying unnecessary capital expenditures.
🛠️ Explore thomastech's supported hardware solutions
Flexible SLAs: Support Tailored to Your Needs
Unlike rigid OEM contracts, TPM offers customizable Service Level Agreements (SLAs). You define response times, coverage hours, and support scope to match your business priorities.
📋 Learn how thomastech customizes SLAs for critical systems
Expertise Across Multiple Brands
TPM providers like thomastech support multi-vendor environments—Dell, HP, IBM, Hitachi, Cisco, and more—consolidating support under one roof and simplifying vendor management.
🏢 Discover thomastech’s multi-vendor support capabilities
Reduced Downtime: Proactive Support & Fast Parts Replacement
TPM minimizes downtime with proactive maintenance, real-time monitoring, and global spare parts availability. thomastech guarantees rapid dispatch and hands-on support to keep operations running.
🆘 Request a service quote and keep your systems running smoothly
📚 Read more TPM success stories and insights
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What Hardware Does Third-Party Maintenance (TPM) Cover?
Servers
TPM providers support a wide range of server brands and models, including:
- Dell PowerEdge series
- HP ProLiant servers
- IBM System x and pSeries
- Hitachi Advanced Servers (DS120, DS225, DS7160)
These systems remain mission-critical long after OEM support ends.
🖥️ See thomastech’s full server support catalog
Storage Systems
TPM covers enterprise storage solutions, such as:
- Hitachi Virtual Storage Platform (VSP) series
- Dell EMC storage arrays
- NetApp SAN & NAS systems
- HPE 3PAR storage environments
This ensures your data stays accessible and protected without forced upgrades.
💾 Explore thomastech’s storage support offerings
Networking Equipment
TPM maintains vital networking infrastructure, including:
- Cisco switches, routers, and firewalls
- Brocade SAN switches
- Juniper networking gear
Maintaining network uptime is essential—TPM ensures support for multi-vendor environments.
🌐 Learn how thomastech supports enterprise networking hardware
Spare Parts & Components
TPM providers stock critical replacement parts to extend hardware life, including:
- CPUs & processors
- Memory modules (RAM)
- Hard drives & SSDs
- RAID controllers & power supplies
thomastech ensures rapid parts replacement with its global inventory network.
🔩 Discover thomastech’s spare parts solutions
🆘 Contact thomastech for legacy hardware support
📚 Read more about TPM benefits and coverage
🌐 Visit thomastech for more details
Is TPM Right for Your Business?
Do You Have EOL/EOSL Hardware Still in Production?
If your data center runs servers, storage, or networking gear that OEMs have declared End-of-Life (EOL) or End-of-Service-Life (EOSL), you’re a prime candidate for TPM. Rather than retiring perfectly functional hardware, TPM keeps it operational, secure, and compliant.
🛠️ See which EOL products thomastech still supports
Are You Seeking Cost-Effective Alternatives to OEM Support?
OEM maintenance contracts are notoriously expensive, especially for legacy systems. TPM typically offers 40-70% savings compared to OEM support, delivering enterprise-grade service without the inflated price.
💡 Explore thomastech’s cost-saving TPM services
Is Vendor Lock-In Limiting Your IT Strategy?
OEMs often tie you into rigid contracts with limited flexibility. TPM frees you from vendor lock-in by supporting multi-vendor environments, giving you control over your IT roadmap—not the manufacturer’s sales cycle.
🔓 Learn how thomastech supports diverse IT environments
Making the Smart Choice
If you answered “yes” to any of the above, TPM is a strategic fit for your business. It’s about getting more from your existing infrastructure—without sacrificing performance or reliability.
🛡️ Learn how thomastech helps maintain critical hardware
🆘 Contact thomastech for a tailored TPM solution
🌐 Visit thomastech to get started
Getting Started with TPM
How to Request a Service Quote
Simple Steps to Get Started:
- Visit the Service Quote Page
- Go to thomastech’s service quote form.
- Provide Hardware Details
- List the servers, storage, and networking equipment you need support for, including models and quantities.
- Define Your Support Needs
- Specify desired response times, coverage hours, and any unique SLA requirements.
- Receive a Customized Proposal
- thomastech will review your information and send a tailored TPM service plan.
What to Expect During Onboarding
Seamless Process Overview:
- Asset Discovery
- thomastech performs a full audit of your hardware inventory to identify coverage gaps and service priorities.
- Contract & SLA Finalization
- Clear, transparent agreements are set, customized to your operational needs.
- Support Portal Setup
- You get direct access to thomastech’s support team, escalation procedures, and service resources.
- Go-Live & Immediate Coverage
- Once onboarded, your systems are fully covered with no service disruption.
🛠️ Learn more about thomastech’s onboarding process
How thomastech Ensures Seamless Support Transition
- Dedicated Support Team
- Direct access to Level 3+ engineers for rapid issue resolution.
- Global Parts Availability
- thomastech maintains a global inventory for quick replacements, ensuring minimal downtime.
- Proactive Maintenance
- Preventive diagnostics and monitoring keep your systems stable and secure.
🆘 Contact thomastech for your custom TPM proposal
🌐 Visit thomastech to get started
🏢 Learn about thomastech’s commitment to reliable support
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