How will I know the life span of my HMS products?

HMS's goal is a product lifetime of at least 10 years of active production. If your product is going out of production, you will get a notification at least 24 months before the product becomes obsolete. This enables you to start planning for a last-time-buy and considering a redesign project to implement newer technology from HMS.

HMS product life cycle management
HMS develops products that are meant to stay on the market for a long time. The goal is to keep products in active production for a minimum of 10 years. During active production, HMS keeps the products up-to-date while maintaining backwards compatibility.

The lifetime of a product is influenced by many factors such as component availability, technology development and market demand. When a product is nearing the end of its lifetime, HMS will make sure to inform any remaining customers that the product is going out of production.

Minimum two years' notice
HMS is committed to send out a Limited Notification at least 24 months before a product becomes obsolete. The Limited Notification states that the product will be phased out. HMS will also send out an End of Life Notification 12 months prior to the product becoming obsolete.

Product lifetime stages



1. Prototype = A new product is ramped up and released to the market.

2. Active = The product is in volume production and marketed and sold actively. HMS continues to add new features to the product and proactively maintain and improve the product.

3. Limited = A Limited Notification is sent to customers that the product enters the Limited phase at least 24 months prior to the product becoming obsolete. The product may remain in the Limited phase longer than 12 months depending on the overall situation. This phase is a post production phase, where normal lead times usually apply, but can be up to 2 months. Active stage price lists are no longer valid and higher unit prices may apply. In this phase, HMS makes no further enhancements or developments of the product. HMS offers no, or very limited, bug fixes, improvements and user manual updates in this phase.

4. Exit = An End Of Life Notification is sent to customers at least 12 months prior to entering the Obsolete stage. This phase is a post production phase, with up to 4 months’ lead time. Active stage price lists are no longer valid and higher unit prices may apply. In this phase HMS makes no further enhancements or developments of the product. HMS offers no bug fixes, improvements or user manual updates in this phase.

5. Obsolete = The product cannot be ordered in the Obsolete stage ( i.e. after the Last-time-buy date). In rare cases and if technically possible, a manufacturing project may be initiated. This project is to be fully funded by the buyer.

More information can be received via the HMS sales offices.