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ClearView AssessmentYour Easiest Path to EOY OPEX Reductions

Systems Maintenance Services

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If you’re in a procurement role, you already know that incomplete information often leads to missed opportunities to save money. Or worse, when trusted partners don’t provide comprehensive information to assist with available choices, critical budget dollars can be misdirected and budgets not optimized. Wise budget planning will always require complete information and a clear view of your options, along with associative cost breakdowns.

That’s why SMS developed ClearView—to help our prospective clients better understand their current hardware support agreements, along with clear rationale behind the support plan for each and every serial number in your environment. A ClearView Assessment examines every device in your environment, then provides you a detailed overview for each serial number, sorting them by color code so you know which systems should stay under OEM support vs. which ones can and should be moved to less costly independent support.

ClearViewThe Basics

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A ClearView Assessment consists of three parts, for which you determine the timing and the level of detail made available to you. There’s no risk to getting a ClearView Assessment and the only cost is a bit of your time—collecting and providing the initial data points, then reviewing our findings so you understand how to use the assessment results. We’ve intentionally designed the system to be painless, but truly delightful as you learn while being provided direct access to quantifiable rationale.

Part one of a ClearView Assessment permits you to easily identify which systems you are likely over-paying by using OEM-direct support. Actually, we use a three-color coding system to help you identify our recommendations, along with a logical view on the risk level associated with each recommendation. You are provided a complete report to review our logic and recommendations.

Once we provide you with the report, we will schedule time to review together so you understand how to interpret the data and make choices based on your need to balance risk with implementing OPEX reductions. Once you understand the report structure, provided data and rationale, you can opt out of next steps or proceed with adjustments to our proposed methodologies. From your preferred changes, we proceed to Part 3.

Whether you wish to make changes in Part 2 or not, from our dialogue/exchange we are able to incorporate your preferences and proceed with a formal quotation so that you can more deeply understand and quantify savings potential. In most instances, Parts 1–3 take no longer than a few weeks and a nominal investment of your time.

1 2 3QUICKLY SEE POTENTIAL IN HARDWARE ASSETSUNDERSTAND OUR RATIONALE, BUT INCLUDE YOUR PREFERENCES QUANTIFY, QUANTIFY & QUANTIFY

SMS CLEARVIEW IS AVAILABLE FOR YOUR CISCO PRODUCTS AND MOST DATA CENTER OEM PLATFORMS.

We suggest running a ClearView Assessment annually to make sure you truly have a “clear view” of your hardware

support OPEX budget and strategies.

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For Cisco Identifying Savings within Current Cisco Support Agreements

Running a ClearView Assessment for your Cisco assets is extremely simple and you only provide the basics from your current support agreement. You send one email and our process is underway—easy as that!

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Based on a sample analysis of 300+ Cisco support client contracts, we have found that most of our clients were NOT getting the full “per asset” value of SMARTnet because the IOS update was either freely available or no longer being updated. This means there are simple ways to lower your costs. SMS helps clients review their support plan and understand exactly which devices can be supported at a lower cost, with no risk to network performance.

results in average savings per device

past Cisco’s end of service date or entitled to

free updates

50-70%40-60%

•���helps�clients�identify�opportunities� for network support cost savings without�sacrificing�SLAs�or�access� to�software�updates

•��applies�objective�and�verifiable� criteria�to�identify�devices�that�no� longer�benefit�from�having�Cisco� support�and�can�be�supported�by� an�independent�service�provider

THE SMS DATA BASEBenefits

Your company’s Cisco support agreement data is run through our proprietary tool which develops a comprehensive report showing the risk level related to moving each device to an alternative support service. This detailed report allows an IT decision maker to see varying levels of risk for each line item, as well as quantifiable savings for those lines that have zero or minimal risk in doing so.

stats based on Fortune 1000 client base that refresh frequently

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Based on the report, network administrators can select which devices to keep with Cisco, and which devices to move to an independent service provider. The true “apples-to-apples” comparison makes it easy to quickly view the list and see where a business can benefit. When software updates are not a factor, the risk of switching to a different support service becomes virtually non-existent. ClearView allows you to leverage this knowledge and impact your bottom line. No other independent Cisco support firm has built a tool this detailed or client-focused.

For�those�clients�that�do�not�wish�to�manage�multiple�vendors, we offer a managed maintenance service for Cisco so that you have only one point of contact to initiate incident tickets and get support for your Cisco assets.

Prior to the end of your current Cisco support agreement, we suggest contacting us for a ClearView Assessment not less than 90 days prior to the contract end date. Then, we suggest an annual renewal of your ClearView data so that you’re always in touch with the evolution of potential with your Cisco assets.

After the assessment review (Part 2), we incorporate your preferences and can provide you a formal quotation in a few days.

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For Enterprise OEMsIdentifying Savings within Current OEM Support Agreements

Running a ClearView Assessment for your data center hardware assets is as easy as collecting the make and models of the assets within your current support agreements. Collect, compile and send in one email. Most clients will only need to spend one to three hours compiling the key data, if it does not already exist in an asset management application.

Based on the success with our ClearView for Cisco service, SMS chose to build out the same business intelligence methodology for core data center OEMs and platform families. Quite simply, SMS helps clients review their support plan and understand exactly which devices can be supported at a lower cost, with no risk to operational performance.

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•��helps�identify�opportunities�for�hardware�support�cost�savings� without�sacrificing�SLAs�or�MTTR�(Mean�Time�to�Repair)

•��applies�objective�and�verifiable�criteria�to�identify�devices�that� no�longer�benefit�from�having�OEM�support�and�can�be�supported� by�an�independent�service�provider

Benefits

of devices are past warranty expiration or OEM-announced support

25-35%THE SMS DATA BASE

One�unique�area that provides significant value is the ability to visualize which items still have firmware risk and which ones do not. Discovering these details can result in substantial cost savings in nearly all environments.

Your company’s hardware asset data (make and model) is run through our proprietary tool which develops a comprehensive report by OEM and platform, showing the risk level related to moving each device to an alternative support service. This detailed report allows an IT decision maker to see varying levels of risk for each line item and then enables them to move assets from OEM to independent support, based on their operating environment. The visual benefits of the assessment make it easy to quickly view the list and see where a business can benefit.

Prior to the end of your current OEM support agreements, we suggest contacting us for a ClearView Assessment not less than 90 days prior to the contract end date. Then, we suggest an annual renewal of any OEM agreement so that you’re always in touch with the evolution of potential with your OEM assets.

After the assessment review (Part 2), we incorporate your preferences and can provide you a formal quotation in a few days.

stats based on Fortune 1000 client base that refresh frequently

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Gartner & IDC’s Perspective Getting an unbiased

perspective from respected industry analysts

Both�Gartner�and�IDC know SMS very well. Assuming you have a subscription to one or both of these industry analysts, we recommend you schedule an analyst inquiry with them to ask more about our services. Be certain to let them know you are considering a ClearView Assessment and ask whether they see it producing value that will exceed the cost of your efforts to get the resulting data.

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Gartner�and�IDC�both have had much to say about the independent support (and hardware reseller) industry in recent years. Although we are not permitted to provide you these documents directly, we encourage you to read the following to better understand the value of independent support and resulting savings.

Know When It’s Time to Replace Enterprise Network Equipment [ID�G00273656]

How to Reduce Network Equipment Maintenance Costs [ID�G00264020]

Market Trends: Product Support Service Evolution Slows, but Proactive Opportunities Exist Despite Market Conditions�[ID�G00247558]

Used-Hardware Resellers Offer Hardware and Support Cost Savings [ID�G00270507]

Third-Party Maintainers and the Enterprise Datacenter: Still Gaining Ground [ID�258887]

Forrester has also produced research attesting to the validity of the independent support market as an option for post-warranty enterprise hardware.

IDC

GARTNER

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The OEM TreadmillIs the OEM not playing fairly with you?

We like to say, “Not all treadmills are healthy.” Yet, so many of us fall prey to behavioral patterns designed by the manufacturer to limit our choices and keep other options cleverly hidden. Following OEM design, our choices may produce short-term comfort, but long-term pains. This is quite true with smart-phones, automobiles, servers, networking and storage devices. Our goal is to make you aware of the OEM Treadmill and then have you consider alternative strategies that will build several layers of leverage for you.

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The treadmill, quite bluntly, is an OEM strategy to keep you buying new, refreshing frequently so they can retain the ongoing support revenue. Only your budgets will become leaner on this treadmill. The OEMs have us psychologically trained to believe that “latest and greatest” technologies are always best. When in fact not all tech refreshes are necessary or align with budget parameters necessary to address critical business drivers.What is it?

Enterprise�hardware�OEMs are expert at convincing their client base the value of new hardware and having the “latest and greatest.” To be truthful, there are always some operations and business drivers that will require new hardware—but not all.

You also know from experience how amazingly reliable modern hardware has become. Like our automobiles, they are built to last and be reliable. Even more, hardware assets will become extremely stable after the first two years of downloaded patches and bug fixes. As the warranty ends, you begin to see fewer and fewer patches/fixes to download—making them incredibly stable (we call this “stable state”). At that point, your options for hardware support open up and your reliance on the OEM can be minimized for those assets.

The OEM tech refresh treadmill can be expensive, and require internal resources to manage the refresh when your teams are greatly needed to help with more critical business drivers.

Now you know what we mean when we suggest, “Not all treadmills are healthy.” Our goal is to make you aware of the treadmill, have you consider strategies for hardware lifecycle extensions and then ask Gartner/IDC whether this is a viable alternative for your business and for any post-warranty hardware assets.

Not all treadmills are healthy

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• When do hardware lifecycle extension strategies make sense for our business?

• Which of my post-warranty assets would you consider continuing to use beyond warranties? For how long?

• What percentage of companies in our industry are deploying hardware lifecycle strate-gies to maximize TCO?

• Which post-warranty assets do you suggest remain under OEM support and which assets can be supported by the independent (“TPM”—Third Party Maintenance) support market?

HERE ARE A FEW GREAT QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR INDUSTRY ANALYST:

• Would you be willing to review this ClearView Assessment with me and help me make some choices that mitigate my risk, while maximizing my savings?

• What can you tell me about the independent hardware support market? Who are among the top three most credible support providers? What do you know about SMS?

• For what systems do you suggest staying on the “OEM Treadmill” and proceeding with the tech refresh? Why?

Gartner and IDC are receiving dozens of calls each week about hardware lifecycle extension and the validity of the independent support market. They’re prepared to help you efficiently focus on logical choices and do so from an unbiased perspective.

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In Conclusion Since your time investment will be minimal, why not try a ClearView Assessment?

We�believe� that� you�should� re-consider, review and re-strategize prior to the end of any OEM support contract. Hardware lifecycle extension strategies do not need to be time-consuming and can help defer a portion of the hard-sell strategies the OEMs deploy to drive each tech refresh. Certainly, the savings potential to be discovered will outweigh your nominal investment of time.

End-of-year budget planning and future-state strategy discussions can always benefit from exploring alternative methods that make finite OPEX or CAPEX monies available to be used elsewhere.

We welcome the opportunity to provide you the actionable business intelligence you require.

Please send an email to info@sysmaint.com to discuss and prepare a ClearView Assessment for your business.

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