Guides / Enterprise
Vendor maintenance vs. third-party maintenance (TPM): the honest comparison
Once the warranty expires, vendors often charge list prices for maintenance contracts designed to make buying new hardware look attractive. Third-party maintenance (TPM) is the independent alternative — but it isn't the right answer for every scenario.
What third-party maintenance delivers
TPM providers take over maintenance, spare-parts supply and support for enterprise hardware (server, storage, network) independently of the vendor — with their own spare-parts stock, their own engineers and SLAs up to 24/7 with a 4-hour response time. The typical price advantage is 30-60 % versus the vendor contract; after EOSL — when the vendor no longer offers anything — TPM is often the only option and saves up to 70 %.
When TPM is the right choice
- Hardware runs stably and should keep running 2-5 years longer (sweet spot: devices from year 4 onward).
- The vendor has declared EOSL or charges astronomical prices for renewal.
- Mixed environments (multiple vendors) — one TPM contract instead of five OEM contracts.
- Budget pressure: cut maintenance costs without sacrificing availability.
When the vendor remains the better choice
- Firmware/software subscriptions are strictly tied to OEM renewal (with some security appliances and software-defined storage).
- Brand-new hardware still under warranty — TPM has no leverage here.
- Mission-critical systems where the vendor holds exclusive diagnostic tools.
What to look for in TPM providers
- Spare-parts logistics: own stock in your region? Pre-stocking for critical parts?
- SLA reality: who shows up at 3 a.m.? Own engineers or subcontractors?
- English- and German-language support and GDPR-compliant processes.
- Transparent eligibility check: a reputable provider checks supportability first, then quotes.
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Request a free EOSL auditFrequently asked questions
Do I lose warranty or certifications through third-party maintenance?
The vendor warranty ends before the maintenance question arises anyway; the hardware's existing certifications are unaffected. In regulated industries the TPM contract should explicitly cover the compliance requirements (documentation, SLA evidence).
How much does third-party maintenance really save?
30-60 % versus the OEM maintenance contract during active support is typical; after EOSL up to 70 % versus the last OEM terms — depending on device generation, SLA level and location.
Does TPM work after EOSL too?
Yes — that's actually the core case. TPM providers stock spare parts beyond the vendor's end of support and often keep systems productive 5+ years after EOSL.