Product Life Cycle

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Product Lifecycle Details

Contact Systems product life cycle chart

Product Lifecycle Definitions

While there are many different concepts on life cycle management, Versatec, LLC has adopted a five phase lifecycle program in order to simplify a products transition and clarify the level of support the product will receive in each phase. The five phases are termed “Current”, “Recent”, “Maturity”, “Retirement” and “Archive”.

Current Phase

Products in this phase are currently being manufactured and promoted. Refinements and enhancements to the product continue during this phase. These products along with the products in the “Recent” phase receive prioritized service and support over the products in the “Archive” phase. Spare parts, consumables and training are readily available for products in this phase. Minor design changes to the product may induce a revision level change, which does not necessarily change the status of the product. Major design changes to the product caused by component and/or technical obsolescence may induce a model number change that in turn may cause the previous model to advance to the next phase.

Recent Phase

Products in this phase have recently ceased production and are no longer offered as “new”. The level of support and service for products in this phase is the same as those products currently being manufactured. Whenever possible, component obsolescence is countered by making retrofits available with newer more readily available components. Spare parts and consumables are readily available for products in this phase. Training on products in this phase is subject to product availability. Refurbishment of products in this phase continues throughout the phase. Whenever possible the refinements and enhancements for these products successors are made retrofittable to the products in this phase. Products could remain in this phase for up to 7 years. Spare parts are stocked items and readily available When the engineering effort to combat component obsolescence can no longer be justified the product will be moved to the next phase.

Maturity Phase

Products in this phase are no longer considered state of the art. Customers with these machines should seriously consider new equipment. Promotional offers are conceived to entice our customers to trade in their older equipment towards the purchase of next generation models. As integral components of products in this phase become obsolete, inventory levels of the obsolete components are reviewed for last time purchases. Refurbishment of products in this phase is limited to machines received as trade-ins for newer products. These products are then typically only resold to existing customers with the same model product.

Retirement Phase

Products in this phase have been out of production for several years. New products have effectively replaced these products. Technical support is still available for products in this phase at legacy product service rates. Spare parts and consumables are declining and no more purchases of spares and consumables will be made. An exception to this is if some of the spares and consumables are still being used on a “present” product.

Archive Phase

When a machine or product enters this phase there are no guarantees that any spares, consumables, retrofits or upgrades will be available. Furthermore, there is no guarantee that we can provide any technical support or training for products in this phase.