TPM (Third Party Maintenance)
Third Party Maintenance (TPM) providers like Extended Technical Solutions offer cost savings of 50% to 70% compared to Cisco SMARTnet. These savings come from streamlined support, no unnecessary service bundling, and support for older equipment without upgrade pressure.
Businesses gain customizable SLAs, paying only for needed support, which helps avoid inflated costs on low-priority equipment and enables better resource allocation.
Cisco SMARTnet
Cisco SMARTnet’s pricing structure can be prohibitive, particularly for smaller organizations or those with diverse IT environments. SMARTnet often bundles both software and hardware services into high-cost packages.
Cisco tends to prioritize newer hardware sales, leading to escalating costs over time as businesses feel pressured to upgrade their systems.
Flexibility: Tailored vs Standardized
TPM
TPM providers offer high customization. Organizations can tailor SLAs based on equipment criticality, such as next-day service for less critical systems and full coverage for mission-critical assets.
They also support multi-vendor contracts, simplifying management and reducing administrative overhead.
Cisco SMARTnet
Cisco SMARTnet provides standardized support with predefined SLAs and limited flexibility. It works well for Cisco-only environments but lacks support for multi-vendor infrastructure.
End-of-Life (EOL) Equipment: Keeping Older Hardware Operational
TPM
TPM providers support EOL and EOSL equipment, allowing businesses to extend hardware lifespan without forced upgrades. This helps maximize existing IT investments.
Cisco SMARTnet
Cisco typically ends support for EOL hardware, pushing organizations toward costly upgrades even when existing systems are still functional.
Software Updates: Where SMARTnet Has the Edge
TPM
TPM providers generally do not offer access to Cisco’s proprietary updates. However, they assist with configurations and compatibility to keep systems operational.
Cisco SMARTnet
SMARTnet provides access to Cisco software updates, patches, and fixes, which are critical for maintaining security and performance.
Spare Parts: Certainty and Availability
TPM
TPM providers deliver certified spare parts at lower cost with faster availability. They often maintain dedicated inventories to reduce downtime.
Cisco SMARTnet
Cisco provides original parts through SMARTnet, but at a higher cost and sometimes longer wait times compared to TPM providers.
Multi-Vendor Support: Simplifying Complex Environments
TPM
TPM providers support multiple vendors under a single contract, simplifying IT management and improving efficiency.
Cisco SMARTnet
SMARTnet only supports Cisco equipment, requiring multiple contracts for multi-vendor environments.
Customization: A Personalized Approach
TPM
TPM offers highly customizable contracts tailored to business needs, optimizing both service and cost.
Cisco SMARTnet
SMARTnet follows a rigid structure with limited customization, which may not fit all organizations.
When to Choose TPM vs. Cisco SMARTnet
Choose TPM:
- Cost savings and budget efficiency
- Multi-vendor support
- EOL equipment coverage
- Flexible and customizable service
Choose Cisco SMARTnet:
- Access to software updates and patches
- Direct OEM support
- Critical Cisco-based infrastructure
Final Thoughts
Choose between TPM and Cisco SMARTnet based on your organization’s cost, support requirements, and need for OEM services.
Extended Technical Solutions provides flexible, cost-effective support for servers, storage, and networking, helping improve efficiency without compromising service quality.
