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Additional information

Life cycle management for maximum return on investment

ABB's automation products business follows two main struc- 2. ABB's service offering follows a logical flow that spans the
tures to ensure its customer's installations remain healthy: entire asset life cycle, from the moment a customer makes the
first enquiry through to disposal and recycling of the product.
1. ABB's product life cycle management model assures avail- At the heart of ABB's services is its product life cycle man-
ability of services and support throughout the life cycle and agement model. All services and support available for ABB
a smooth transition to new technology at the end of the life products are planned according to this model. Product spe-
cycle. cific life cycle plans are available for customers to help with
maintenance planning and when deciding about upgrades,
retrofits and replacements.

Product life cycle management model

Active Classic Limited Obsolete

The life cycle management model divides a product's life A product is transferred to the "obsolete" phase when it is no
cycle into four phases: active, classic, limited and obsolete. longer possible to provide life cycle services within reasonable
Each phase has different implications for the end user in cost, or when ABB can no longer support the product techni-
terms of services and support provided. cally, or the old technology is no longer available.

In the "active" phase the end user benefits from warranty Benefits of product life cycle management
options and a full range of life cycle services, spare parts and Product life cycle management maximizes the value of equip-
maintenance materials. This phase ends when the volume ment and maintenance investments by:
production of a particular product ends and the "classic" – Ensuring spare part and competence availability throughout
11 phase starts. In addition to offerings available in "active" the life cycle
phase, end users may migrate to new technology by using – Enabling efficient product support & maintenance for im-
upgrade and retrofit solutions providing improved perfor- proved reliability
mance and extension of the life cycle. – Adding functionality to the initial product by following the
upgrade path
After the "classic" phase products enter the "limited" phase – Providing a smooth transition to new technology at the end
and end users are recommended to start planning a transfer of a product's lifecycle
to new technology before product support ceases. – Helping the end user to decide when an upgrade, retrofit or
replacement is required.
Spare part services continue as long as components and
materials are available, and throughout the course of time the
use of reconditioned parts increases.

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