HMS's products are designed to stay on the market for a long time, typically more than 10 years. HMS will notify customers at least 24 months before a product in the Active phase becomes obsolete.

Product lifecycle policy
HMS Industrial Networks (HMS) develops products that are meant to stay on the market for a long time, typically more than 10 years. The products are designed to be used in industrial applications, which brings high demands on reliability and availability. Product life times are influenced by many factors such as component availability and technology development. HMS always strives to keep the products up-to-date with maintained backwards compatibility.

In order to manage the products in a structured way during the lifetime, HMS has established a product lifecycle policy over a series of product lifecycle phases. Within this scope, HMS is committed to notify customers of any change in product lifecycle status well in advance, in order for customers to be able to plan their operations in an efficient way.

A key element of the lifecycle policy is that HMS will notify customers at least 24 months before a product in the Active phase becomes obsolete. However, the transition may need to be done faster in force majeure situations beyond HMS’ control, including exceptional and extreme situations on the electronic component market.

Overview - Product lifecycle management

* NOTE: The Mature phase is optional - a product can be moved directly from the Active phase to the Limited phase.

Description of HMS product lifecycle phases

1. Ramp-up/Release = A new product is launched to the market.
   
   
2. Active = The product is in volume production and is promoted and sold actively according to the price lists for the Active phase. During this phase, HMS continues to add new product features, proactively maintaining and improving the product.
   
   
3. Mature = If the optional Mature phase is applied, a notification is sent to customers before the product is moved into the Mature phase. This phase normally lasts several years and continues until the product is moved into the Limited phase. The Mature phase is considered an early decline phase, during which standard lead times normally apply. As a rule, prices remain the same as in the Active phase, but higher unit prices may potentially be applied.
   
   In the Mature phase, no further product enhancement, documentation, development or conformance testing is done by HMS. Limited technical support is offered where response times may be longer. If HMS decides that an update anyway is required to ensure normal operation, an exception will be made to this policy.
   
   Upon request, HMS can quote limited bug fixes or improvements as well as updates to documentation. Such updates are normally expected to be fully funded by the customer. Products in the Mature phase are not recommended to be included in new customer product designs. 
   
   
4. Limited = A notification is sent to customers before the product is moved into the Limited phase. The Limited phase lasts at least 12 months and longer lead times (up to 8-10 weeks) are normally applied. Active phase price lists are no longer valid, which means that higher unit prices may apply.
   
   In this phase, no further product enhancement, documentation, development or conformance testing is done by HMS. Limited technical support is offered where response times may be longer. HMS offers no or very limited bug fixes, improvements and documentation updates in this phase. Products in the Limited phase are not recommended to be included in new customer product designs.
   
   
5. Exit = End Of Life notifications are sent to customers before the product is moved into the Exit phase. The Exit phase lasts for 12 months after which the product is made obsolete. Lead times may be up to 4 months and a Last Time Buy will be scheduled as a one time delivery. Active phase price lists are no longer valid which means that higher unit prices may apply.
   
   In this phase, no further product enhancement, development or conformance testing is done by HMS. HMS offers no bug fixes, improvements technical support or documentation updates in this phase. Products in the Exit phase are not recommended to be included in new customer product designs. 
   
   
6. Obsolete = HMS will not accept orders after the product has been made obsolete. However, HMS is willing to allocate engineering and manufacturing resources to provide a limited amount of re-engineered backwards compatible spare parts. Such projects are quoted individually by HMS and funded fully by customers. HMS offers this possibility up to 5 years after the End Of Life notification. No technical Support is offered.
   
   UPDATED AS OF JUNE 13 2018

More information can be obtained via the HMS sales offices