Page 269 - PLC Automation

APPLIC ATION DESCRIPTIONS AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 267

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Additional information

Life cycle management

Active Classic Limited Obsolete

Product life cycle management model Limited phase
ABB has developed a PLC life cycle management In the limited phase the product development has
model aimed at providing proactive services for come to its end. Spare parts are available as long
maximizing availability and performance. This as components and materials can be obtained.
model not only provides optimum support to Towards the end of the limited phase, services
end-users but also a smooth transition to a new gradually become obsolete. In addition to the
product when the PLC has come to the end of its annual life cycle status reviews, ABB issues a life
lifetime. cycle phase change announcement, half a year
prior the product becoming obsolete. This is the
The life cycle management model divides a last opportunity to transfer to new technology
product's life cycle into four phases: active, classic, before product services end.
limited and obsolete. Each phase has different
implications for the end-user in terms of services Obsolete phase
provided. The product is transferred to the obsolete phase
when it is no longer possible to provide services
Active phase at reasonable cost or when ABB can no longer
The active phase starts when the product is support the product technically or the old tech-
launched. In the active phase the end user bene- nology is not available.
fits from different warranty options and other
services such as training and technical support. Benefits of life cycle management
Complete life cycle services from spare parts and PLC life cycle management maximizes the value
maintenance are also provided. The active phase of the equipment and its maintenance invest-
ends when the volume production of a particular ments by:
PLC ceases and ABB issues an announcement of • ensuring spare parts and ABB competence
the life cycle phase change. availability throughout the lifetime
• enabling efficient product support and mainte-
Classic phase nance for improved reliability
ABB PLC users continue to benefit from complete • adding functionality to the initial product by
life cycle services throughout the classic phase. upgrading or retrofitting
The classic phase is closely aligned with ABB's • providing a smooth transition to new technol- 08
research and development work to provide ogy at the end of the product lifetime.
continuing support for its PLC products while
developing future generations. In the classic For more information, please see
phase new hardware and software development www.abb.com/plc or contact your local sales
may be required to provide the maintenance tech- organization.
niques and upgrades needed to guarantee that
the PLC continues to operate at its peak perfor-
mance. Migration to a new PLC product is recom-
mended before the product has entered the
limited phase.