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 using 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.
Product Lifecycle Milestones
The following milestone definitions apply to all EOL policies:
End-of-Life (EOL)
Announcement Milestone — the date on which BlueCat Networks 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 customer's EOL hardware.End of Service (EOS)
The final date for support via maintenance contracts. BlueCat Networks 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 Adonis and Meridius EOL announcements:
Proteus EOL Bulletins
Proteus Software Release v2.5 June 2011Proteus Software Release v2.1 September 2010
Adonis EOL Bulletins
Adonis Software Release v5.5 June 2011Adonis Software Release v5.1 September 2010
Adonis Hardware & Software May 2009
Meridius EOL Bulletins
Meridius Hardware & Software May 2009Meridius Hardware & Software September 2010