ONGOING LIFECYCLE MANAGEMENT
Keep your System Continuously Current
Overview of our system lifecycle management
From the time we engineer your industrial computer system, throughout its operations, and into retirement, Foxguard manages the complete product lifecycle. This process enables your technology systems to remain operational and continuously current.
Why Computing Lifecycle Management Matters
Every technology system has a lifecycle. For example, the lifecycle of a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) system may be as short as 12 to 18 months. In contrast, an industrial design system may be maintained and supported for a decade.
COMPUTING PRODUCT LIFECYCLE MANAGEMENT
How Foxguard Manages the Computing Product Lifecycle
Critical-to-quality components tracking
At Foxguard, our procurement team monitors critical-to-quality (CTQ) components, such as the motherboard, processor, and graphics card. They work closely with manufacturers and partners to track end of support (EOS) and obsolescence on your behalf. Robust supply chain management and responsible sourcing are instrumental to our success.
Engineering change orders and change notifications
At times, we may need to update the computer design. We manage this with engineering change orders (ECOs) and engineering change notifications (ECNs). ECNs and ECOs are complex and collaborative processes that involve various teams and you, the customer. They include internal reviews and approvals as well as customer reviews and approvals. You can find value and reassurance knowing you won’t discover unwanted budget or technology “surprises.”
COLLABORATING ON YOUR PRODUCT LIFECYCLE MANAGEMENT
Our team will work closely with you throughout your technology system’s lifecycle
Whether you’re an OEM, a new startup, or a strategic partner.
Engineering and Design Phase
If a design or drawing is not provided or is incomplete, we engineer an initial design based on your specifications. Learn more about our engineering design and computer prototyping.
We also develop a product roadmap to anticipate future needs, and we identify CTQ components.
System Design Refresh Phase
In an OT environment, a design “refresh” typically happens on a four- to five-year cycle. Longer lifecycle designs can avoid updating an industrial control system (ICS). During a system design refresh, we:
- Manage each project through an ECN to ensure a controlled process.
- Keep designs continuously current and operational.
- Sustain system engineering – acceptance testing.
- Consider necessary lead times.
Initial Deployment and Operational Phases
Once your system is deployed, we take the following steps to manage your computer product’s lifecycle:
- Track CTQ components, monitor and manage EOS and obsolescence.
- Implement inventory management strategies, such as stocking programs, spares, last-time buys, and phase-in/phase-out plans.
- Monitor warranty periods.
- Provide after-sales support, including depot repair, system swapping, and refurbishment programs.
- Monitor changing U.S. regulatory and other country compliance requirements with our tracking database of tens of thousands of regulatory certificates.
- Manage vendors by ensuring they know and react to your needs, including joint calls with you.
- Apply golden image management of the base OS and core applications, drivers, utilities, and firmware.
Learn more about Foxguard as a computer system integrator.
Want to know more about our products?
TRIGGERING EVENTS MAY DRIVE A TECHNOLOGY DESIGN REFRESH
Factors That Trigger an Engineering Design Refresh
Some examples of these activating events might include:
- An operating system (OS) that’s ending support or ready for an upgrade.
- An OEM that requests an OS downgrade from the new OS version to avoid updating its industrial control system (ICS).
- Graphics card obsolescence that changes the graphic card dimensions, which in turn impacts the chassis design.
- Replacing an antiquated industrial computer which requires a reverse engineering project.
- Changing regulatory requirements, such as secure supply chain mandates or country-specific requirements
- Accommodating customer-specific requests
- Changes in environmental requirements
PROJECT BUGETARY
Weighing Cost Considerations for Lifecycle Management
Project budgetary constraints dictate whether a design targets the lowest delivered cost (LDC) or total cost of ownership (TCO) over the system’s life. An LDC design that uses commercial off-the-shelf components (COTS) is at greater risk of obsolescence than a TCO design based on industrial-grade components.
It’s essential to weigh the cost-benefit ratio of various options. For example, you may want an LDC design at the beginning of a project for budgetary reasons—only to discover the system is no longer available when you want to execute your project. Fortunately, our technical team provides input to help you make the best decision
COMPUTER LIFECYCLE MANAGEMENT
6 Reasons to choose Foxguard with your engineering design, prototyping and testing
Enjoy focused attention on your needs
Our customer success team will be dedicated to your success and develop in-depth knowledge of your organization and systems.
Reduce complexity
We’re a single source for your computing needs: one purchase order, one vendor. From concept development to final acceptance testing, deployment, and lifecycle management, Foxguard will work with you at every step.
BE READY
We’ll provide end-of-support notifications and keep you informed.
Keep up to date with regulatory certificates
We’ll monitor changing U.S. regulatory and other country compliance requirements with our tracking database of 50,000 regulatory certificates.
Stay continuously current
Our team of engineers and customer success managers will maintain OEM designs for years through our lifecycle management program. Moreover, we use the latest hardware and software tools to provide innovative and efficient solutions, ensuring that your products meet the most demanding quality standards.
Rely on our extensive experience
We have more than 40 years of custom computer engineering design experience, developing and refreshing customized solutions that meet your unique needs.
OUR CLIENTS SAY IT THE BEST
NERC CIP Manager
Large IOU-NPCC/TRE- New Jersey | Texas
IT Manager
Large IOU-RF – Illinois
Supervisor EMS Maintenance
Mid-West Municipal- SPP – Kansas
EMS Programmer Analyst
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