Avoid
Obsolescence with Continuing Updates
CNC
Router technology has advanced dramatically and the rate of
change is increasing. A machine purchased today may be at a
competitive disadvantage to newer machines in just a few years.
Thermwood is the only CNC router manufacturer that protects
you from this danger by offering ongoing system software and
hardware updates. The Advanced Support Program offers these
updates at the lowest possible cost. The system software update,
normally $2,500 for each year is included free of charge for
member companies. Savings on software upgrades alone can easily
pay for membership in the Advanced Support Program.
Service
is Virtually Instant
A
system called "Virtual
Service" is provided for members of the Advanced Support
Program. "Virtual
Service" is a powerful audio and video link, using
a standard phone line, between the customer's 91000 SuperControl
and the Thermwood service department. When the "Virtual
Service" link is established, the customer can see
and talk to the Thermwood service technician and the service
technician can see, not only the customer, but also all of the
critical parameters of the control. It essentially gives the
service technician as much information as standing in front
of the customer's control itself. Through this link, the control
can be diagnosed in real-time while programs are being executed
and corrections can be made. Programming errors can be found
and corrected on-line. Customers can typically handle many mechanical
problems if they are shown what to do, so videos can be launched
by the Thermwood technician to be viewed by the customer. "Virtual
Service" can effectively handle most difficulties and
problems that occur. 
This
reduces or possibly eliminates a costly service trip, when resolved
by a simple phone call. It provides service in minutes instead
of days or weeks, reducing both downtime and frustration.
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Nearly
Eliminate Service Cost
As
a Thermwood customer you already know how incredibly reliable
Thermwood machines are, but even healthy people invest in health
insurance. As a member of the Advanced Support Program, your
91000 SuperControl is covered by an ongoing limited warranty,
both parts and labor. For as long as you remain on the program,
all defective control system parts are free. Should you need
service labor to repair or replace a control system part, you
simply pay for travel expenses and the labor is also free. In
fact any service labor required to repair or replace any part
of the machine found to be defective is free under the program
(Labor Warranty applies only to U.S. customers with machines
already connected to Virtual Service.) And if you require repair
parts, they are available at a 20% discount. A single major
problem can easily pay for the program for several years.
Thermwood
operates the Advanced Support Program for two purposes, to keep
your Thermwood CNC router updated and competitive and to insure
against major expenses for repair. The unstated goal underlying
the entire program is to do these things at the lowest possible
cost to you, the Thermwood user.
You
have purchased your CNC router from the one company dedicated
to continuous technical updates, Thermwood. Most CNC control
and machine manufacturers want your machine to become old and
obsolete so you eventually discard it and buy a new one. The
problem is that you may spend many, many years nursing along
a machine that really can’t compete with the new machines
your competitors are buying. Even if it is state-of-the-art
when you buy it, it is quickly eclipsed by advancing technology.
You are faced with a dilemma. If I don’t buy a modern machine
I won’t be able to compete today and if I do buy one, it
will quickly become obsolete and I still won’t be competitive.
You
have selected the best, most advanced CNC router on the market.
Now, maintain your competitive advantage and keep your machine
in top working order by joining the Advanced Support Program.
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The
Advanced Support Program is the Answer.
Thermwood
wants its customers to be the most competitive, most successful
companies in the business. If our customers grow because of
our machines, they will buy more machines. They will be successful
and we will be successful, a great partnership.
Thermwood
is in a unique position to support this partnership. We are
the only CNC router manufacturer to control all technical aspects
of our machines. We build our own controls and maintain an aggressive
ongoing technical research and development program. We make
certain that new advances can be retrofitted to older machines.
Our competitors must purchase their controls from others. These
commercial CNC control manufacturers get half or more of their
revenue from replacing their own obsolete controls in the field.
They have little interest in prolonging and enhancing existing
controls, so even if the machine manufacturer would like to
keep you updated, they can’t do it.
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The
Advanced Support Program is Simple.
You
pay a small ongoing fee for each machine on the program. In
return you get an software update, free of charge to bring your
system up to current standards. If you are not on the program,
this update will cost $2,500. If
new hardware is required for future software versions, those
components will be quoted at the time of the upgrade. With the
software and possibly hardware update you have the same features
and performance as a new machine, each year, for a tiny fraction
of new machine cost. This may mean faster speeds, smoother operation
and new control features, but there is even more to the program.
Members
are provided with “Virtual Service”. With this powerful
audio and video link the customer can see and talk to the Thermwood
service person and the service person can see, not only the
customer, but also all of the critical parameters of the control.
It essentially gives the service technician as much information
as standing in front of the customer’s control itself.
The control can be diagnosed in real-time while programs execute.
Corrections can be made to the control, programming errors found
and corrected, and mechanical problems communicated. Videos,
showing how to perform many maintenance functions, can be launched
by Thermwood to be viewed by the customer. It reduces service
cost but retains highly qualified service people. It provides
service in minutes instead of days or weeks, reducing both downtime
and frustration.
With
the purchase of a new machine Thermwood offers a one-year limited
parts warranty. There is no cost to correct defects in parts
or workmanship during that period although, if a technician
is required to travel to your facility, you are required to
cover the travel expenses. Under the Advanced Support Program
this warranty is extended for the control system continuously.
At any time should a part on the control system fail, it is
covered just as if it occurred during the first year. Drive
Modules, Frequency Converters, and Air Conditioners are not
part of the full control system warranty.
Those
of you who have run Thermwood machines for some time realize
that the control is extremely reliable. If it weren't, we would
not be able to make this offer. Still, things can and do fail
and many times repair or replacement can be quite expensive.
You can think of the Advanced Support Program as an insurance
policy. For a small premium, an unlikely, but expensive problem
can be handled at no cost. But there is more.
In
addition to full parts coverage of the control, we offer continuing
labor warranty on the control system and the machine (Labor
Warranties apply to U.S. customers only.) Should your machine
fail for any reason, you can get a qualified technical service
representative to travel to your facility for no cost other
than travel expenses. This labor warranty does not cover routine
maintenance or customer inflicted damage.
In
addition, repair parts for all machines enrolled on the program
are available at a 20% discount. A single major event can save
you the cost of the program for several years.
This
web site is designed to explain the program and inform you of
what you might be missing with older control software. The site
also has a suggestion box where customers that are on the program
and also people that are not on the program can give us there
suggestions for software enhancements. We want to know your
ideas, being first hand users of the 91000 SuperControl, for
potential features that could benefit you in your daily operation.
There is also a Free Downloads section. This is a place where
members can download from a list of Macros, novelty CNC programs
and other potentially useful program items. New additions will
be added frequently and we are open to any suggestion from members
as to new items for the Free Downloads page.
The
Advanced Support Program is available for any Model 40, 42,
53, 67 or 70 equipped with a current 91000 SuperControl for
$225.00 monthly per machine or, at a discounted rate (reference
the payment chart below.)
Should
you wish to enroll an older machine in the program, it will
be necessary to first bring the system up to current. It should
be noted that the Thermwood Control software is released as
a stepping stone update. This means that any releases missed
while not being a member of the Advanced Support Program will
have to be purchased before you can join the program and obtain
the latest years' release. So, keep in mind, the longer you
wait to upgrade your machine, the more expensive it will be.
The least expensive path is to join the program when you buy
your machine and then simply remain on it. Your machine will
constantly improve, you will become consistently more competitive
and you will assimilate new technology on an easy-to-handle
continuous basis.
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To
Summarize, Machines enrolled in the program shall receive:
•
Virtual Service
• Free software upgrades.
• SuperControl warranty on parts.
•
Free
on-site service labor to repair or replace any part of the machine
or control proven to be defective (applies to U.S. customers
only.)
• 20% discount on replacement machine parts from our field
service department.
• Free internet downloads of macros, novelty CNC programs
and other useful items.
That’s
the Advanced Support Program. Designed to keep you competitive,
designed to handle problems and designed to do both at the lowest
possible cost. With this program Thermwood is joining in partnership
with its customers. The fees collected are intended not only
to fund the program but also to help fund an even higher level
of research and product development, which is then used to update
the very machines that funded the effort. We at Thermwood believe
that with the Advanced Support Program everyone is the winner.
We become even stronger in our market because of loyal customers.
Our customers become stronger in their market because they are
using the most advanced state-of-the-art technology available.
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Join
today and prosper!
Contact
us to learn more about joining the
Advanced Support Program. 1-800-221-3865 ext. 263 or by
e-mail
