3 Major Benefits of Returning to Genuine IBM Maintenance on IBM DS8000 & IBM Flash Storage
5 September 2025 - 2 Minute Read
If your IBM DS8000 or Flash Storage has been under third-party maintenance, chances are your firmware and machine code are out of date. That’s one of the biggest hidden risks with TPM cover:
- Bugs & unnecessary resets from outdated firmware
- Replication failures (especially sub-LUN) leading to downtime
- Missed security updates leaving you exposed to cyber & compliance risks
Many organisations moved to third-party maintenance to cut costs - but those “savings” often come at the expense of reliability, performance, and security.
That’s where Baby Blue IT & Consulting, together with IBM, step in.
The 3 Major Benefits of Moving Back to Genuine IBM Maintenance
1️⃣ IBM-Backed Hardware & Software Maintenance
- Genuine IBM parts
- Software technical support expertise & support
- Ongoing firmware & security updates included
- Extended support available for up to 10 years past EOSL
2️⃣ Firmware & Fault Review
- Full audit of your firmware/software vs IBM best practice
- 12-month fault analysis to spot recurring issues
- Interoperability review across switches & attached systems
- Direct IBM access to legacy firmware where needed
3️⃣ Implementation & Project Management
- End-to-end upgrade & implementation planning
- Recommendations validated by IBM
- Option for your team to self-implement with IBM assurance
Next Steps
If you want to:
🔹 Eliminate bugs, risks & vulnerabilities from outdated storage
🔹 Regain IBM updates, security fixes & expert support
🔹 Extend the life of your DS8000/Flash systems by up to 10 years
Book a free, confidential 30-minute Teams consultation with Baby Blue IT & Consulting.
We’ll review your current setup and provide a no-obligation proposal & highly competitive quotation - helping you protect your business, suppliers, and customers.
IBM and the IBM logo are trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation, registered in many jurisdictions worldwide. Other company, product, or service names may be trademarks of their respective owners.
About the Author
Lee Bailey
Lee Bailey brings 30 years of experience in the IBM services industry, beginning his career in engineering before transitioning into sales and ultimately sales leadership. A qualified Chartered Director (CDir), Lee has served as a Board Member, Director, and Board Advisor for multiple IT services businesses. As the founder of Baby Blue IT & Consulting, he is assembling a team of industry experts focused on IT services and business growth, leveraging his extensive expertise to drive innovation and value for clients.
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