These are the most Important Terms related to Obsolescence and Life Cycle Management 

Learn more about the most important technical terms!

Discontinuation date of production by the manufacturer

Alternative, possibly incompatible spare part 

Bill of materials (BOM) of a unit/ product 

Bridge buy

End of production by the manufacturer

Discontinuation of sales by the manufacturer

Discontinuation of service and repair by the manufacturer

Smallest replaceable unit; multiple units make up a product 

Retrofit with a new version featuring additional capabilities 

Reuse of inventory products to support other products 

Designation of performance indicators 

Final stocking throughout the entire lifecycle

Last time delivery

Cumulative costs of a product over its lifecycle 

Mean time between failures 

Mean time to repair 

Not recommended for new design 

Transition to discontinuation of production by the manufacturer according to the original specification 

Coordinated activities to direct and control an organization concerning operational management 

Description of strategies for identifying and migrating impacts in cases of obsolescence 

Original equipment manufacturer

Original component manufacturer

Proactive approach in obsolescence management prior to product discontinuation notice (PDN)

Product discontinuation notice 

Product change notice 

Reactive approach in obsolescence management after product discontinuation notice (PDN)

Comparison of the likelihood and impact of an obsolescence event 

Concept in which reliability, availability, maintainability, and safety are considered during new development

Regulation of substances and mixtures in articles with or without intended release

Restriction of hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment

Start of production by the manufacturer

Strategic approach to obsolescence management prior to the commissioning of a new machine or system

Equivalent — functionally, parametrically, and technically interchangeable (FFF)

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