Frequently Asked Questions

Back to all FAQs

question

For a purchasing manager dealing with discontinued Mitsubishi servo drives, what's the smarter strategy: hoarding expensive NOS (New Old Stock), investing in third-party compatible alternatives, or pushing for complete system modernization?

ScottPrice

ScottPrice

2025-12-15

answer

Hey there! As a purchasing manager dealing with discontinued Mitsubishi servo drives, you're facing a classic industrial dilemma. Let me break down your options in a practical way.

First, hoarding expensive NOS (New Old Stock) might seem like a safe bet, but it's really just kicking the can down the road. You're paying premium prices for aging technology that will eventually fail anyway, and you're locking up capital in inventory that depreciates daily.

Third-party compatible alternatives can be a smart middle ground. They're usually more affordable than NOS, often come with better warranties, and some even offer improved features. The key is finding reputable suppliers who guarantee compatibility and provide good support.

However, complete system modernization might actually be the wisest long-term play. While it has higher upfront costs, you get modern diagnostics, better efficiency, easier maintenance, and future-proofing. Many companies use a phased approach: stabilize with drop-in replacements first, then schedule controller and network upgrades during planned outages.

My advice? Don't just think about today's purchase price. Consider total cost of ownership, downtime costs, maintenance expenses, and future scalability. A mix of strategies often works best - maybe use third-party alternatives for immediate needs while planning a modernization roadmap for critical systems. What's your production downtime costing you per hour? That number might make the modernization case stronger than you think!

Recent Q&A

Quickly browse the latest questions and answers

Contact form