HMS's products are designed to stay on the market for a long time, typically more than 10 years. If your product is going out of production, you will get a notification at least 24 months before the product 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 their 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 changes in product lifecycle status well in advance, in order for customers to be able to plan their operations in an efficient way.

The key element of the lifecycle policy is that HMS will always notify customers at least 24 months before a product in the Active phase becomes obsolete.

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 to be 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, development or conformance testing is done by HMS.

   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 user manuals. Such updates are normally expected to be fully funded by the customer. Products in the Mature phase are not recommended for new 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, development or conformance testing is done by HMS.
   
   HMS offers no or very limited bug fixes, improvements and user manual updates in this phase. Products in the Limited phase are not recommended for new 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 or user manual updates in this phase. Products in the Exit phase are not recommended for new 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.

More information can be received via the HMS sales offices