In today’s increasingly complex and innovation-driven electronics industry, managing the entire lifecycle of a product, especially in highly regulated sectors such as Medical & Healthcare, Railways & Transport, Avionics & Aerospace, and Automation & Energy, represents a critical challenge. Electronic systems deployed in these contexts are expected to operate reliably for decades, despite the rapid evolution of technologies and the obsolescence of key components.
This long operational horizon, often exceeding 30 or even 40 years, stands in sharp contrast to the typical lifecycle of electronic parts and subsystems, which may become obsolete within just a few years. The gap between expected durability and component availability poses significant technical, logistical, and compliance risks. Elemaster Group addresses this gap through a comprehensive lifecycle management strategy that begins with design for longevity and extends all the way to post-market support.
A holistic strategy to turn risk into competitive advantage
Elemaster’s approach is rooted in a full-stack vision of the product lifecycle. Thanks to the experience and expertise of Eletech, the Head of the International Design Centres, Group’s Research & Development division, the company offers Customers a structured path that goes beyond production. From early risk assessment to supply continuity, from regulatory compliance to failure mitigation, Elemaster supports its Customers at every stage, with a focus on long-term performance and stability.
This lifecycle vision becomes a competitive differentiator in sectors where failure is not an option, and where regulatory obligations persist throughout the entire duration of system usage.
1. Proactive obsolescence management
Obsolescence is one of the most critical challenges in the electronics industry, and even more so in regulated environments where redesigns require new rounds of validation and documentation. Elemaster implements a proactive obsolescence management framework, built on real-time component monitoring and strategic planning.
This includes:
- Last Time Buy (LTB) strategies to ensure stock availability of components identified as at-risk
- Redesign or re-layout of boards and assemblies to integrate alternative components, while ensuring functional and certification continuity
- Qualification of substitutes through electrical, mechanical and thermal evaluation in Eletech’s laboratory
These actions enable Elemaster to reduce production downtime, maintain certification validity, and offer a seamless supply experience. Obsolescence becomes not a threat, but a manageable variable in the long-term value chain.
2. Maintenance and repair services
Maintenance is not an afterthought, it is an essential element of lifecycle support, particularly for systems with high uptime requirements. Elemaster offers a comprehensive portfolio of maintenance and repair services, designed to increase system longevity and reduce total cost of ownership.
- Preventive maintenance ensures early identification of potential failure modes
- Corrective maintenance includes structured repair flows with traceable interventions and root-cause analysis
- Firmware and hardware upgrades help to align products with evolving functional and regulatory needs, extending their commercial viability
This service offering is fundamental for Customers in sectors such as healthcare or transport, where device availability directly impacts safety, operations, and reputation.
3. Failure analysis and quality engineering
A strong failure analysis capability is critical to sustaining quality over time. Eletech’s laboratory, where EMC, climatic, insulation, vibration and shock tests are accredited to ISO/IEC 17025:2017, plays a central role in investigating and preventing system malfunctions. This is not just a troubleshooting step, it is a strategic layer of quality assurance.
Using tools such as 3D X-ray, thermographic cameras, microsectioning and accelerated stress testing, Eletech engineers perform:
- Root-cause analysis of failures occurring in the field
- Feedback loops to improve product design and assembly processes
- Risk analysis updates in line with the most recent failures or anomalies observed
This in-depth understanding allows Elemaster to act preventively and systematically improve the reliability of its systems, both in the design phase and in post-production.
4. Lifecycle extension and regulatory continuity
In regulated markets, maintaining a product in the field for 30+ years requires much more than repairing broken parts. It requires full lifecycle documentation, regulatory tracking, and supply continuity, all of which are embedded into Elemaster’s after-sales approach.
Lifecycle services include:
- Spare part redesign and sourcing when components are no longer available
- Update and maintenance of CE Technical Files, safety reports, and risk analyses
- Support for requalification and recertification, where regulatory changes or system updates require a formal revision of compliance status
This commitment allows Elemaster to support its Customers not only as a supplier, but as a reliable regulatory partner that keeps systems aligned with both technological and legislative evolution.
A trusted partner in highly regulated environments
Elemaster’s ability to manage the full lifecycle of complex electronic products is reinforced by its deep experience in navigating international standards and sector-specific requirements, such as:
- ISO 13485:2021 for medical devices
- ISO 22163:2023 for railway applications
- AS/EN 9100:2018 for aerospace and avionics electronics
Thanks to its integrated service model, global production footprint and in-house validation infrastructure, Elemaster enables Customers to address lifecycle challenges with confidence, agility, and control.
Lifecycle thinking as a strategic asset
In sectors where compliance, safety and operational continuity are non-negotiable, managing the full lifecycle of an electronic product is more than a technical necessity, it is a strategic lever. Elemaster Group, through the multidisciplinary expertise of Eletech, turns complexity into long-term value. From proactive obsolescence monitoring to failure analysis, from regulatory updates to repair and upgrade services, each activity is orchestrated to maximise performance and sustainability. This integrated, lifecycle-oriented vision allows Customers to focus on innovation, with the confidence of having a reliable partner ensuring that their products remain robust, supportable and compliant, year after year.