Third-Party Maintenance (TPM) is a solution for keeping your equipment running when the original manufacturer or their authorized service provider is no longer your go-to for support. Think of it this way: you're the first party (the customer), the seller is the second party, and the TPM provider is the crucial "third party" that steps in for maintenance.

The "Maintenance" aspect of TPM addresses the critical need to preserve the functional and productive value of your devices over time. Take a network switch, for instance. You purchase it expecting years of reliable operation. Initially, a warranty from the seller or manufacturer might cover maintenance and service. However, once that warranty expires, the ongoing functionality of the device becomes your responsibility. If components fail post-warranty, leading to poor performance or complete breakdown, you have limited options: self-repair, device replacement, or, and this is where TPM shines, securing a specialized maintenance agreement from a third-party expert.