New-Tech Magazine - Europe | January Digital edition

Extending the Life of Test Systems that Support Long-term Programs

Jim Curran, Keysight Technologies, Inc.

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effective alternatives that can extend the life of test systems and ensure that the individual instruments are meeting their warranted specifications. Examples include Keysight’s Extended Service Period (ESP) solutions for calibration and repair. These embody the company’s commitment to our customers’ installed base of older HP, Agilent and Keysight equipment. Through standard and tailored ESP solutions, Keysight helps our customers keep long-term programs running until they’re ready to make the transition to new technology. ESP solutions are part of a bigger initiative called Keysight Instrument Lifecycle Solutions (ILS). Best expressed as a commitment to operational continuity, these solutions address the service requirements that span a customer’s product lifecycle (Figure 1). Through these solutions, Keysight helps ensure system longevity, starting

from the initial date of purchase and extending well into the future. Going around the figure, Warranty Period solutions include our standard three-year warranty as well as the opportunity to ensure that level of coverage for up to 10 years. Standard Service Period (SSP) solutions ensure ongoing performance, post-warranty, by delivering Keysight-quality service-in calibration and repair - that optimizes the customer’s budget and enhances instrument uptime. Extended Service Period solutions cover essential equipment after product manufacturing ends, giving our customers more time to make a seamless transition to new technology. Understanding the OEM’s dilemma There is an inescapable paradox in the support of aging test equipment. Early in the system lifecycle, OEMs can

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amounts of time, attention and money go into defining and integrating the required test system. The system is used to test the new products, ensuring that they function at the required levels and remain highly productive. The system is also expected to last for the life of the program. Carefully designed test systems help ensure high quality results and maximum throughput. Over time, drifting test results can affect quality, and equipment downtime result in costly delays. In later years, changes in parts availability and vendor support capabilities add to the challenges. Fortunately, managers can mitigate these risks and keep their programs running by working with an experienced solution partner. As an original equipment manufacturer (OEM), Keysight offers efficient and

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