FabWorks, Edwards Vacuum’s equipment monitoring and data acquisition platform, has been successfully managing sub-fab vacuum and abatement systems for over 20 years. However, current and emerging requirements in the arenas of real-time data capture and analysis, fault detection and classification, and integrated data management are such that a new software platform is needed.
To replace FabWorks, Edwards has developed EdCentra, its newest equipment fleet monitoring and diagnostics platform, providing Advanced Process Control (APC) and Fault Detection and Classification (FDC) capability to address today’s and emerging requirements. EdCentra is available for sale.
FabWorks and pre-FabWorks products have been obsoleted on Jan 15, 2017 and are no longer available for sale.
New 1-year FabWorks Software Maintenance and Support Contract (“FW Support Contract”) are no longer available.
After the two-year transition period, existing FW Support Contracts will no longer be renewed, an End-Of-Life Statement will be published, and support for FabWorks will cease completely.
To replace FabWorks, Edwards has developed EdCentra, its newest equipment fleet monitoring and diagnostics platform. EdCentra was product-launched on January 15, 2017 and is available for sale.
Edwards has Obsoleted From Manufacture (OFM) all FabWorks and pre-FabWorks products on January 15, 2017. These are no longer be available for sale and includes all major, minor and patch releases of FabWorks V1, FabWorks V2 and FabWorks V3, as indicated for instance by FW V2.8.6 where the first digit indicates a major release, the second digit indicates a minor release and the third digit indicates a patch release. It also includes all monitoring software pre-dating FabWorks V1, such as Fab-Suite and others. Commitments made prior to Jan. 15, 2017 with regard to FW installs or upgrades will be honoured.
A final 6 month time window to purchase a new 1-year FW Support Contract started on Jan 15, 2017, and is now closed. New FW Support Contracts are no longer available. Existing FW Support Contracts, valid on July 15, 2017 may be renewed at contract expiry date. Beneficial terms for transitioning to EdCentra may apply for customers with existing FW Support Contracts. Applicable beneficial terms are contingent on status of FW Support Contract, FabWorks version and EdCentra purchase date.
Q: What is the FabWorks Obsolete From Manufacturing (OFM)?
A: On January 15, 2017, Edwards obsoleted from manufacturing all FabWorks and pre-FabWorks products and these are no longer available for sale.
Q: Is Edwards still supporting the FabWorks products after the OFM notice?
A: Yes. This can be within the scope of an existing FW Support Contract, or on a consultancy basis. Starting July 15, 2017 a two-year transition period for FW Support Contracts has come into effect. Customers with an active FW Support Contract on July 15, 2017 or later are eligible for FW Support Contract Renewal at the contract expiry date during a nominal two-year transition period as well as potentially eligible for EdCentra purchase beneficial terms.
Q: What is the two-year transition period for a FW Support Contract?
A: It is a period where the FW support is scaled back and then phased out completely. This period nominally started on July 15, 2017 and impacts the availability of FW Support Contracts and the level of support offered. It primarily affects customers that decide to stay with FW and not transition to EdCentra.
Q: Will there be FabWorks Support available on a consultancy basis during the two-year FW Support Contract transition period?
A: Yes. Consultancy will be available from the Helpdesk, in chargeable 4 hour blocks of support time.
Q: What happens at the end of the two-year transition period?
A: Edwards will issue an End-Of-Life (EOL) Statement and all support for FabWorks ceases. Support on a consultancy basis will continue to be available, at the discretion of Edwards.
Q: I am an active FW user without a FW Support Contract. Can I still buy a FW Support Contract?
A: No. New FW Support Contracts are no longer available.
Q: What happens if a FW Support Contract expires after July 14, 2017 and is not renewed at the contract expiry date?
A: If the FW Support Contract expires after July 14, 2017, and is not renewed at the contract expiry date, it will no longer be possible to renew it at a later date.