Enhanced Budget Efficiency. Even in times of prosperity, organizations are under pressure to maximize the efficiency of their IT infrastructure while keeping a tight grip on budgets. One innovative solution that keeps gaining greater traction is Third-Party Maintenance—TPM for short. So what’s TPM? And what are its benefits over traditional maintenance models? Let’s take a look.
Understanding TPM and its advantages
TPM explained
Third-Party Maintenance is an alternative approach to IT infrastructure support and maintenance. Unlike traditional maintenance models, which often involve expensive contracts with the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer), TPM involves partnering with third-party providers to handle the upkeep and repair of an organization’s hardware. TPM providers offer an array of services, including maintenance, hardware support, software updates, and even IT asset management.
The advantages of TPM
Cost savings. TPM can significantly reduce an organization’s IT maintenance expenses. By choosing a TPM provider over a typical OEM contract, Gartner estimates organizations can save an average of 70% on maintenance costs while receiving the same level of service.
Flexibility. TPM providers offer customized maintenance plans that cater to a company’s specific needs, making it possible to choose the level of support that aligns with their budget and requirements.
Extended equipment lifespan. TPM extends the life of IT hardware by providing support beyond the manufacturer’s End of Service Life (EOSL) dates. This lets organizations maximize their investment and delay costly hardware replacements.
Multi-vendor support. TPM providers are vendor-agnostic, meaning they can support a wide range of equipment from various manufacturers, giving businesses the freedom to maintain a diverse IT environment, and the convenience of consolidating all of their IT maintenance needs in a single contract.
Selecting a TPM provider
While Third-Party Maintenance offers undeniable benefits, choosing the right TPM provider is crucial for a successful partnership. Here are some key considerations:
- Expertise. The TPM provider should have expertise in an organization’s specific hardware, as well as a track record of successful maintenance and support.
- Global reach. If a business operates globally, it will be best served by a TPM provider with a worldwide presence that ensures consistent support across all its locations.
- SLA compliance. The provider’s Service Level Agreements (SLAs) should be evaluated to ensure they align with an organization’s needs, including response times and issue resolution.
Aligning TPM with budget goals
Once an organization has selected the right TPM provider, it should align TPM with its budget goals for enhanced efficiency:
- Optimizing service levels. Adjusting the level of maintenance and support to match the budget, starting with critical systems and gradually expanding as the budget allows.
- Asset management. Leveraging the TPM provider’s asset management services to gain better visibility into the organization’s IT inventory and optimizing asset allocation.
- Cost predictability. TPM’s fixed pricing structure helps predict and manage maintenance costs more effectively, reducing budget surprises.
- Performance monitoring. TPM can also enhance IT performance by proactively monitoring and addressing issues, ultimately reducing downtime and increasing productivity.
- Lifecycle planning. Working with a TPM provider organizations can develop a long-term IT lifecycle plan that aligns with their budget and business objectives, ensuring equipment is retired or replaced strategically.
As this article shows, TPM is not just a maintenance strategy, but a full-fledged strategic investment in the future of an organization’s IT infrastructure.
As a leading TPM services provider, Evernex is the preferred option of thousands of clients around the world. Get in touch with us to learn how Evernex can help your organization optimize its IT through TPM.
