Product Lifecycle Management Strategy
BlueCat Networks is dedicated to providing industry-leading and innovative hardware platforms, software versions and service offerings that promise reliable performance. As our products evolve, we incorporate current technology to adapt to increasingly complex and growing IP networks.
When older hardware platforms, software versions and service offerings show signs of potential weakness, it’s our responsibility to retire them as part of our product lifecycle management strategy.
Product End-of-Life (EOL) Policies
BlueCat Networks appreciates the challenges associated with upgrading hardware, software and service offerings. That’s why we place a high priority on providing customers with timely and critical EOL information.
BlueCat’s EOL policies support customers with sufficient lead time and information to determine how the EOL of a hardware platform, software version or service offering may impact their organization’s network. We help customers manage the changes involved in adopting up-to-date BlueCat technology.
One way that BlueCat keeps customers informed is by providing EOL announcements via email to advise of upcoming requirements such as serial numbers of hardware platforms approaching EOL. Customers can use this information to check their inventory and ensure they set a plan in place that proactively protects their network.
Hardware EOL Policy
BlueCat Networks provides support for all hardware systems for a minimum of three years from the date that products were purchased. In general, the hardware for platforms that are declared at their EOL, that is, obsolete or discontinued, will continue to be supported provided that a current support contract exists. The EOL of a hardware platform will not impact the lifecycle of the software product/license.
In this case, support is defined as:
- The system will be replaced should it fail for any hardware reason.
- New updates and patches will be tested and validated to run on these platforms.
Software EOL Policy
BlueCat Networks provides software support on all non-EOL hardware for three major software releases — the current release and previous two releases (where applicable). A major software release can be identified as one position to the right or left of the decimal, such as 4.1 or 5.0, which indicates an update of the product. Minor updates and maintenance releases are indicated by the position two places to the right of the decimal, such as 4.1.1 or 5.0.2.
Product Lifecycle Milestones
The following milestone definitions apply to all EOL policies:
End-of-Life (EOL)
Announcement Milestone — the date on which BlueCat announces, via email and website posting, that a specific platform or platforms have reached their EOL and replacement is recommended. An EOL announcement provides dates by which time hardware, software and overall maintenance/replacement support will end for the affected unit(s).
End of Software Support (EOSS)
The final date before new software versions, upgrades and patches become available for download from BlueCat to the client’s EOL hardware.
End of Service (EOS)
The final date for support via maintenance contracts. BlueCat recognizes that some customers are not in a position to automatically replace EOL equipment. They may need to renew their service contracts on EOL platforms due to budgetary restraints or other factors. In these cases, the EOS date is typically six months following an EOL announcement and provides sufficient time to work with BlueCat to purchase a new platform with a new service contract.
NOTE: Customers who continue to use EOL platforms past the milestone dates do so at their own discretion. BlueCat may develop and offer hardware refresh/platform upgrade programs that provide customers with the opportunity to migrate to new hardware platforms at a reduced cost. Details on these programs will be communicated to customers through the appropriate channels.
Product Announcements
The following bulletins provide specific information on current Proteus, Adonis and Meridius EOL announcements:
Additional Information on BlueCat’s Product Lifecycle Management Strategy
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