The reality is that storage, servers, and networking devices aren’t entirely fail-proof. IT system failures at critical times can impact your business operations and your customer relationships. The biggest problem is that issues with networking equipment or other IT devices don’t happen at convenient times, which is why having a third-party maintenance provider by your side is essential.

If you are not familiar with what a third-party maintenance provider is, this article has the answers. Read on to learn what a third-party maintenance provider is and how partnering with one can prevent your business from having downtime.

Third-Party IT Maintenance Service: An Overview 

Third-party maintenance (TPM) is IT maintenance service on data and network equipment offered by an independent provider other than the original equipment manufacturer (OEM). TPM is highly flexible and cost effective. It is the only maintenance solution when the warranty period specified by the OEM comes to an end.

More often, third-party IT maintenance services can cover more services than vendor-supplied maintenance, making them more accommodating and customizable depending on your organization’s data center maintenance needs.

Third-Party Maintenance vs. OEM Support: Key Differences 

Choosing between TPM and OEM support can be difficult at times, so here are some notable differences between the two. 

Single Point of Contact 

Third-party hardware maintenance providers, such as OSI Global, offer one point of contact, so you don’t have to deal with different suppliers. For example, data center equipment is often made up of numerous hardware units from different brands. When you contact a TPM provider, you can get services for all the hardware units instead of just working with one brand at a time.

Maintenance Services Costs 

Choosing TPM over OEM services can reduce maintenance costs by up to 80%. Third-party maintenance services are more affordable and hence, help you reduce the overall expenditure by a significant amount.

Extended Capacity of Hardware 

Upgrading the IT systems with a hardware refresh diminishes your company’s IT budget and could disrupt business operations. Many businesses choose third-party maintenance to extend the lifespan of their legacy assets. 

With TPM providers, you can continue sustaining engineering and parts for multiple devices beyond their end of service life (EOSL) to avoid significant IT investments and expensive technology updates.

Flexible Coverage 

Generally, third-party maintenance contracts offer more flexibility than an OEM warranty with several levels of service options. Businesses can choose maintenance services depending on their specific requirements. For instance, businesses can opt for a monthly check-in maintenance program if they do not need weekly assistance. 

Similarly, businesses that cannot afford downtime, even for a second, can choose round-the-clock maintenance services and asset management.

Faster Response Time 

The original manufacturer caters to a wide range of clients made up of larger companies, which is the reason behind the slow response time. On the other hand, a TPM provider usually caters to clients on a smaller scale, making their lead time much better than OEM providers. 

The prompt and reliable services by third-party maintenance providers ensure your IT infrastructure have less downtime. At OSI Global, our team is available 24/7/365 so you are always able to reach someone and have your issue taken care of in no time.

Customizable Services 

Every business IT infrastructure is different and has unique requirements. TPM providers offer ultimate flexibility in supplying technical support for your business needs.

You can even choose the specific services you require, which reduces the overall cost of maintenance services and offers a better return on investment (ROI).

Choose OSI Global for All Your Needs 

OSI Global is a trusted and reliable multi-vendor hardware support company that ensures your IT infrastructure functions the way you want. We offer all essential maintenance support required to manage your data centers and IT systems with the highest service quality.

We have a solution for all your IT service requirements. Contact OSI Global for third-party maintenance services and get a detailed service quote for your maintenance tasks.