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t the beginning of every new
product program, tremendous
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
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
A
Extending the Life of Test Systems that
Support Long-term Programs
Jim Curran, Keysight Technologies, Inc.
34 l New-Tech Magazine Europe