Alternative Software Process

A leading independent purchaser and supplier of server, data storage, networking hardware and maintenance support services. We work with companies assisting them to realise the residual value in ageing, surplus or decommissioned hardware assets. Having access to large quantities of multi-vendor hardware enables us to provide companies with tangible continued maintenance support services for post-warranty and end of life equipment. Our turnkey hardware, service and solution plans provide companies with significant financial savings.

Delivering an alternative solution to OEM software updates

The question about software is not about access to software updates, but if a current software patching policy is employed. A non-committal response or an automatic default position that the latest firmware revision has been applied is the general reply. A service processor system output from the specific piece of hardware should confirm this.

Once all the relevant information has been obtained from the system output BASE IT can potentially provide a variety of alternative ways in maintaining your software practices. Below are some key points:

• Software entitlement: While in warranty BASE IT would strongly recommend that a system software audit be performed. The ability to Identifying the current software revision on the hardware in question alongside the latest OEM revision will enable BASE IT to understand if additional firmware revisions are available.
• Banking of IP: Once additional firmware revisions have been Identified, BASE IT will work with you to download these latest revisions. Those revisions are not applied but stored for future requirements if needed.
• Upgrade path: Having downloaded the latest firmware revision during your software entitlement period will enable for potential firmware upgrades to be applied if required.  
• Entitlement revision: Only firmware upgrades that were downloaded during your entitlement period can be applied.
• Accessing risk: Prior to any of the above points being discussed or actioned, BASE IT would perform a level due diligence to mitigate any subsequent risk. This initially involves a few specific questions to understand if the hardware being discussed is suitable.

All customer environments vary for their need to access software updates. Answering the following three questions could potentially provide cost savings that previously you had never thought about. Am I actually applying any updates for this piece of hardware? When was the last time I applied an update? Will there be any further updates available?

If the answers to these questions are yes then staying with the OEM is a must, as licensed software is proprietary and we are unable to escape from this fact. However, if the answers are a mixture of yes and no, or just simply no then why not find out about your potential savings.

BASE IT maintenance support 

BASE IT has seen attitudes and opinions towards using alternative maintenance support beyond manufacturer’s warranty periods steadily change, as third-party support has become reliable, consistent and a viable proposition. The following are key areas that can help to achieve and meet your storage support aims, by:

• Contract Flexibility – BASE IT can offer support services on short, medium or long-term contracts with simplified and flexible billing options across a range of service level agreements (SLAs). Having flexibility in your contract will ensure that you can select the best option for your business, dependent on your economic constraints. Other benefits could include the ability to pro-rata and co-terminate multiple support contracts into a master contract for a simplified contract management process. This process prevents accidental lapses in service when renewing support contracts with varying end dates.
• No Time Limit – BASE IT provides no predefined rules as to when support for a system will cease to be available. The likely determining factor will be the availability and expense of replacement parts, which will still be available for many years after the vendor has stopped support. Having the option and ability to maximise the potential life from your hardware, brings additional benefits including lowering the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and providing the option to redirect allocated capital expenditure elsewhere.
• Multi-Vendor Support – Having a dedicated single point of contact at BASE IT when you have a service issue can greatly simplify the process of receiving quick and efficient support when required. This is especially true if you have a multi-vendor IT environment with interconnected systems from various vendors running critical applications. BASE IT can put a master contract in place to provide an easy and manageable process and ensures the smooth running of your business.
• Billing Options – Our aim at BASE IT is to provide flexibility for our customers. By working closely with you we look to provide numerous options that allow for operational expenditure to remain in your business for the longest period possible.

Engaging with BASE IT could provide the cost savings that you may require with an ‘Extended Operating Program’ (EOP). Although this is not unique, we believe that our comprehensive services package exceeds in areas that many customers are unable or unlikely to receive from the manufacturer.