End of Life / Suggested Replacement

Question

My facility has a Gio that was purchased in c. 2012. I was asked to determine when it would be at "end of life" / worthy of replacement so that we can avoid potential unexpected chronic operational issues or sudden death. 
 I know the Gio has become a legacy product thereby being discontinued. For me that does not trigger a need for replacement. 
 What does ETC and members of this group consider as "end of life" for consoles?

Nick.Gonsman · Accepted Answer

Howdy! 
 There are a few ways we think about our consoles: 
 
 Active - we are currently manufacturing the hardware, and new software features are able to be installed. We offer full repairs support. 
 Discontinued - we no longer make the hardware (you can't buy a new one), but we intend a reasonable length of new software features to be installed, and we will support repair as best as we can. 
 Feature Complete - we no longer make the hardware, and new software features cannot be installed (though we may offer critical or security fixes if they come up). We will continue to support hardware repair as best as we can, but these tend to be older devices, so that may be harder.
 
 Our XP-based Eos Family consoles are currently in this designation - there are many in the world that are still operational, but they can't install software above 2.9, so they will continue to operate the same, as long as we can repair them.

End of Life - we can no longer provide repair services for the hardware... he's dead, Jim. 
 
 I like to say that the expected life of a modern console is ~10 years. Many work a lot longer, some were put into Feature Complete a year-ish early... but for discussions with admin folks, it is a good milestone to keep in mind for budgets. After 10 years, even if the console still functions, it is likely at or close to Feature Complete - which means the folks learning on it won't have access to what is being used in other venues, and that files from newer consoles may not be fully functional on the older system. 
 ETC has a great team of folks called Field Project Coordinators (FPCs) who are technical pre-purchase specialists - their job is to get you the information you need before you move through a purchasing process without sales pressure. Check out https://www.etcconnect.com/Contact-Us.aspx for your closest office, and ask to speak with an FPC. 
 ~n~

End of Life / Suggested Replacement

Top Replies