Solutions
Lifecycle & Obsolescence Support
Lifecycle support manages the period between commissioning and replacement. SMEC helps identify obsolete or unsupported hardware, spares exposure, software dependencies and failure risk, then defines a practical keep/repair/retrofit/migrate strategy.
Before Replacing the Asset, Understand What Can Be Saved.
When a control card fails or a drive becomes unsupported, replacing an entire machine is not always the best engineering answer. The challenge is identifying what can be retained, repaired, refurbished or modernised while protecting the original machine functions and operating interfaces.
SMEC supports legacy PLC, drive, industrial-electronics, marine PMS/IAS and drilling-control lifecycle work—from assessment and troubleshooting to staged retrofit and recommissioning.
Typical scope
- Installed-base register
- OEM lifecycle/status review
- Critical-spares assessment
- Repair feasibility
- Form-fit-function replacement review
- Migration roadmap
- Emergency troubleshooting and planned retrofit
Control Obsolescence
Scope can include Obsolete OEM PLCs, HMI/SCADA, Firmware and backups and related interfaces. Equipment selection, engineering responsibilities and testing are defined against the project specification.
- Obsolete OEM PLCs
- HMI/SCADA
- Firmware and backups
- I/O compatibility
Drives & Electrical
Scope can include VFD repair/replacement, MCC, Switchgear controls and related interfaces. Equipment selection, engineering responsibilities and testing are defined against the project specification.
- VFD repair/replacement
- MCC
- Switchgear controls
- Generator PMS
- Protection
Industrial Electronics
Scope can include PCBs and control cards, RTUs, Instruments and related interfaces. Equipment selection, engineering responsibilities and testing are defined against the project specification.
- PCBs and control cards
- RTUs
- Instruments
- Alarm electronics
- Spares
Marine & Drilling
Scope can include Marine PMS/IAS, Engine remote control, Rig SCR/VFD and related interfaces. Equipment selection, engineering responsibilities and testing are defined against the project specification.
- Marine PMS/IAS
- Engine remote control
- Rig SCR/VFD
- Winch and jacking
Lifecycle & Cutover
Scope can include Installed-base assessment, Repair-versus-replace, Phased migration and related interfaces. Equipment selection, engineering responsibilities and testing are defined against the project specification.
- Installed-base assessment
- Repair-versus-replace
- Phased migration
- FAT/SAT
Applications & Systems
Select a related system to open its dedicated product or system page.
Project Evidence
Marine Power Management System — Legacy Controls Retrofit
A vessel’s ageing generator control arrangement required a lifecycle assessment and targeted modernisation. The project summary covers load-sharing interfaces, protection, PLC/HMI replacement and operational testing.
Engineering Approach — Repair, replace or modernise: an engineering decision
The most useful first step in an obsolescence project is a condition and supportability assessment. The team should identify failure history, available spares, software access, hardware compatibility, operating risk and the interfaces that would be affected by a replacement.
The resulting scope may be a targeted electronics repair, a refurbished drive, a PLC/HMI migration or a wider machinery-control retrofit. Testability, documentation and the ability to support the asset after handover should guide the choice—not replacement for its own sake.
Common questions
Can obsolete equipment be repaired instead of replaced?
Repair and refurbishment may be possible after condition, spares and risk assessment. Some systems require replacement or redesign.
Can old controls interface with modern SCADA?
Where data and protocol interfaces are available, gateways or controller upgrades may support integration.
What should be shared for a retrofit assessment?
Nameplates, OEM/model, photographs, drawings, software backups, fault history and available shutdown windows.
Related pages
Send the requirement
Send the installed equipment list with make, model and firmware/software versions. Recommended RFQ inputs: project/asset, existing OEM/model, scope, drawings or specification, required date, site location, and any shutdown/mobilization constraint.