Introducing True Blue Hybrid Maintenance
19 March 2025 - 3 Minute Read
For over 30 years, I’ve seen countless customers switch to Third-Party Maintenance (TPM) the moment their manufacturer maintenance ends. On the surface, this makes perfect sense it offers cost savings, service consistency (especially if other hardware is already under TPM), and, historically, came with reasonable software support options.
However, the landscape has changed.
The Hidden Risks of Third-Party Maintenance
In recent years, IBM has tightened access to critical updates, making them available only to customers with an active manufacturer maintenance contract. Unfortunately, this crucial detail is often overlooked when businesses evaluate their support options.
Without these updates, companies face significant risks:
- Increased hardware failures due to outdated firmware and microcode
- Unpatched security vulnerabilities, leaving systems exposed
- Compliance breaches that could put regulatory standing at risk
- Potential invalidation of cyber security insurance
The key takeaway? Timing is everything. Moving to TPM too soon, before IBM stops releasing updates could expose your business to unnecessary risk. But how do you know when the time is right?
Introducing True Blue Hybrid Maintenance by Baby Blue
At Baby Blue, we believe in transparent, risk-free maintenance planning. Our new True Blue Hybrid Maintenance service is designed to provide the best of both worlds, ensuring you get essential IBM updates when needed while still benefiting from TPM cost savings where possible.
How It Works
We assess your IBM hardware inventory and provide a tailored maintenance strategy:
✅ Identifying hardware that still requires IBM updates
✅ Recommending when TPM is a safe and cost-effective option
✅ Helping you catch up on outdated microcode and firmware to eliminate security risks
Best of all, we do this at the same cost you would typically pay for third-party maintenance alone.
True Blue Support – What You Get
For IBM-Supported Hardware
🔹 Full IBM manufacturer support, including OS and hardware updates
🔹 Planning and assistance to bring hardware up to recommended patch levels
🔹 No "after-lapse" fees to rejoin IBM maintenance
🔹 Fixed-price protection for up to 5 years
For Older IBM Hardware
🔹 Best-in-class Third-Party Maintenance for IBM hardware
🔹 Expert telephone support for legacy IBM software
🔹 All the commercial benefits of TPM with fixed pricing for up to 5 years
With True Blue Hybrid Maintenance, you no longer have to choose between cost savings and security - you get both.
Let’s have a conversation about how to future-proof your IBM estate while keeping costs under control. Contact Baby Blue today.
About the Author
Chris Smith
Chris Smith is a Non-Executive Director and commercial advisor with over 30 years’ experience in IT services across managed services (MSP) and third-party maintenance (TPM). With a background in IBM hardware maintenance, he progressed from field engineer to Sales & Marketing Director, helping to create the foundations of Blue Chip Cloud, which became the largest IBM Power Cloud globally at the time. He played a key role in the sale of Blue Chip in 2021 and subsequently led commercial growth and integration initiatives within Service Express, including delivering significant managed services growth and strengthening revenue predictability. Chris now works with private equity-backed, investor-led and founder-owned IT services businesses, supporting growth, commercial strategy, integration and exit readiness. He is particularly focused on helping organisations improve revenue quality, margin discipline and scalable go-to-market execution across MSP and TPM models.
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