Product Life Cycle Policy
To keep pace with market demands, ITW EAE – Camalot, Electrovert, MPM and Vitronics Soltec are continually developing new technology and products. As we introduce new products older platforms enter a decline. Product platforms planning is essential to provide an orderly phase out of support and to enable the correct level of support for the next generation of products.
ITW EAE – Camalot, Electrovert, MPM and Vitronics Soltec operates with a 4 phase level of support which is managed by Product Management.
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Product Life Cycle Phases |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Product Phase | Stability Phase | Archived Phase | Obsolete Phase | |
| Parts | Yes | Yes | Best effort (available parts only) | Best Effort (available parts only) |
| Upgrades | Yes | Limited | Limited | No |
| Engineering | Yes | Limited | No | No |
| Applications | Yes | Yes | Limited | No |
| Technical Support | Yes | Yes | Best effort/Limited to mechanical and electrical | No |
| Field Service | Yes | Yes | Limited | Limited |
| Training | Yes | Yes | Limited | No |
Current Phase
A product is considered in this phase if the model is currently in production. Full support is available including parts, technical support, field service, upgrades and training. Engineering engagement on enhancements, upgrades and specials is active.
Stability Phase
A product is considered to be in the Stability phase if the model is not currently manufactured but is still within 1 to 7 years of the last date of manufacturing. Design changes will more than likely be suspended on these platforms depending on activity and technology.
- Full support including parts, technical support, field service, software upgrades and training.
- Software upgrades to current production versions; software upgrades for safety issues ONLY.*
- Onsite customer application support.
- Upgrades will be reviewed on case by case basis to determine feasibility.
Archive Phase
A product enters this phase 7 years after the last manufactured date.
- Parts support available for available parts; support for parts that are no longer available or would require engineering resources to redesign will no longer be provided.
- Field service support may be available on a limited basis.
- No software upgrades or updates available. For safety issues customers will be notified.*
- Application support may be available on a limited basis.
- Technical Support will provide electrical and mechanical troubleshooting on a best effort basis and will provide customers with available support documentation.
- Training may be available on limited basis.
- Support for upgrades that are no longer available or would require engineering resources to redesign will no longer be provided.
Obsolete Phase
A product moves into the Obsolete phase 14 years after the last manufactured date.
- Some spare parts may be available for purchase, but support for obsolete or unavailable parts will no longer be available.
- Field service may be available on a limited basis.
- No software upgrades or updates available. For safety issues customer will be notified. *
- Application support will no longer be available.
- Technical support will no longer be available once a product has reached this phase; however some support documentation may be available on our Support Center.
- Training will no longer be available once a product has reached this phase, however some support documentation may be available on our Support Center.
- Upgrades will no longer be available.
*Upgrade (software) - Represents significant change, major improvement of the software. Example - new feature, functionality. Version 1.3 to 2.0
*Update (software) - Represents enhancements to a specific version. Example - safety and bug fixes, minor enhancements, translations. Update to version 1.3.1 to 1.3.2
Click here for Stability, Archived and Obsolete List Effective October 15, 2024