EOL and EOSL Services
When your business IT equipment is approaching it's end of life, it is important to know your options.
ICT Reverse offers a range of services and solutions for managing End of Life (EOL) & End of Support (EOS) for your hardware.
This includes secure IT collections, asset re-deployment, secure on-site or off-site data destruction, recycling and resale.
Contact our experienced team today for a chat...
EOL vs. EOD vs. EOSL: What's the difference?
The best way to understand the different acronyms is to follow the IT infrastructure lifecycle management process:
- General Availability (GA) refers to hardware that is brought to market and is available for purchase.
- End of Life (EOL) or End of Sale (EOS) occurs when the manufacturer is no longer selling that particular piece of equipment and typically starts at 5 year phase-out. You can still purchase the product on the secondary market and support may be able available but at an inflated price.
- End of Development (EOD) means that the manufacturer ceases development and production of the device's operating system. At this stage, support contracts are typically not available for renewal.
- End of Support Life (EOSL) is when the manufacturer no longer sells, provides operating system updates or renews support agreements on the hardware.
What to do with EOL and EOSL Equipment?
ICT Reverse helps thousands of businesses nationwide to manage their EOSL and EOL IT equipment each year. There are various options for your assets once they reach EOL/EOSL including:
- Renew the support with the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM)
- Refresh your hardware
- Support it yourself
- Third party hardware maintenance
- Arrange a secure collection for the safe disposal
EOL and EOSL FAQs
It is useful to keep a log of each company asset as the date of production and manufacturer warranties will vary. All equipment should be treated on a case-by-case basis.
- How can I determine if my hardware or equipment has reached its end of life?
EOL and EOSL dates may be emailed to you directly by the manufacturer or you could search for them on their website. Alternatively, you can find them by searching for your equipment by product, model, or part number. If your IT equipment has reached EOL, contact us for advice on collections, data erasure, and much more!
- What are the associated risks associated with using hardware past its end of life or end of support?
Typically, once assets reach EOL, they do not receive vital firmware updates which results in a decrease in your cyber security. Secondly, a device becomes slower and battery life can decrease when approaching EOL. Over time, applications can be unusable which decreases productivity. In addition to this, manufacturers can discontinue any repair or support services for old or discontinued models. Repairing EOL devices then becomes reliant on second hand parts which can be costly and time consuming.
- Does EOL policy differ based on each OEM?
Yes it does!
- Do I need to replace my equipment when it reaches its EOL /EOSL date?
If your IT equipment is functioning well, an EOL/EOSL notice can have little effect on the day-to-day capabilities of your hardware. However, it is a good opportunity to assess your system’s current performance and explore other support options independent of the OEM. One option is to work with a third-party maintenance provider. They can assist with replacing parts, running updates etc.
- What sustainable options are there for equipment at EOL/EOSL?
The production, use and disposal of electronic equipment generates a significant amount of carbon, a major contributor to climate change. Nearly 5% of global emissions come from the production of electronic devices. E-waste makes up 70% of our overall global toxic waste yet only 18% of e-waste is recycled. The UK is the 2nd highest contributor of e-waste in the world. Over the last 15 years, the amount of e-waste in the UK has doubled. By ensuring EOL/EOSL equipment is re-used, reduced and responsibly recycled, we encourage carbon avoidance and generate carbon savings. ICT Reverse produces sustainability certificates for all customers outlining their carbon savings.
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Get in touch with a member of our dedicated team of account managers and we will guide you through the whole process.
