Version 1.0 Effective: 1 July, 2017

Introduction

This policy applies to all Blancco-branded products, except as Blancco may otherwise expressly agree in writing. For specific lifecycle dates for each product, refer to the Lifecycle End Dates for Current Blancco Products table in this article. Blancco's Product Support Lifecycle Policy provides clear support availability guidelines for all Blancco's solutions, allowing you to plan and manage your support needs.

Product Lifecycle Phases

Within this Lifecycle Policy, what constitutes a "version" is determined by Blancco. A given version's general availability (or "GA") release date also serves as the GA release date for all subsequent, subordinate upgrades, updates and service packs issued for that version. Blancco will make all determinations regarding when to end its support relating to any vendor platforms or other coordinating product or program, including without limitation those that have been superseded by new versions, are in extended support or have been made end-of-life by their vendors. After release, Blancco products go through three sequential Product Support Lifecycle phases: General Support, Extended Support and Self-support. General Support is available for the first 24 months after the GA release date for a given version of a Blancco product. Extended Support becomes available immediately after the General Support phase ends and continues for an additional 12 months, running from months 25 through 36 after the GA release date. Self-support begins immediately after the Extended Support phase ends, or 36 months after the GA release date. Without regard to the time periods set forth above, the concepts of General and Extended Support do not apply to Service Releases. When a new Service Release is released, the previous Service Release is supported (at the same level as the associated product version) for 12 months thereafter or until support for the product version ends, whichever comes first.
Outside of the support lifecycle benefits, it is advised that product versions be updated to the latest releases in order to enhance product performance, take advantage of new features and maintain a strong security posture. 

General Support (0-24 months after release): Includes availability, development of, and all support channels, including service releases, hotfixes, and security updates.
Extended Support (24-36 months after release): Includes availability, development of, and all support channels, including only security updates.
Self-Support (36 months after release): Includes access to Knowledge Base articles only, and is no longer supported from an availability, development or support standpoint.
 

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