Lifecycle Status: Identify Risks Before Components Become Obsolete
- by PLC
- Jan 10, 2026
- Reading time: 2 minutes
Lifecycle Status of Automation Components (Why It Matters)
Understanding product lifecycle status is essential for controlling operational risk in industrial automation environments. PLCs, drives, HMIs, I/O systems, and control components often remain in service for many years, during which manufacturers progressively change support, availability, and production status.
Organisations that track automation lifecycle changes early are better prepared to manage spares, plan procurement, and avoid disruption caused by obsolete or discontinued parts.
What is Product Lifecycle Status?
This is key to an effective smooth-running operation. You cannot control operational risk if you don’t understand the lifecycle status of your automation parts. Effective lifecycle visibility is essential for maintaining stable operations and managing long-term asset performance.
Industrial automation parts such as PLCs, drives, HMIs, and I/O systems typically remain in service for many years, often extending across multiple lifecycle stages defined by the manufacturer.
As manufacturers issue lifecycle transition updates over time, organisations that maintain clear visibility of component status are better positioned to plan procurement activities, manage spares strategies, and support operational continuity.
PLC Automation supports customers by monitoring OEM lifecycle updates and helping translate published information into practical sourcing and planning decisions. Contact us for free parts identification to confirm whether components are active or obsolete.
Why Does Product Lifecycle Status Tracking Matter?
Lifecycle management enables maintenance and procurement teams to understand which lifecycle stage each automation component occupies at a given point in time. Manufacturers regularly issue updates that indicate whether a product remains active, is entering phase-out, or has moved into later lifecycle stages.
Lifecycle Insights Across Major Automation Manufacturers
PLC Automation supplies parts from leading global automation brands and prioritises lifecycle monitoring for manufacturers with a large installed base across industrial environments.
OEM Lifecycle Terminology
Each manufacturer applies its own terminology and timelines to lifecycle management, which can make interpretation challenging. While definitions vary, most OEMs classify products using a progression similar to:
ABB Automation – Confirmed Obsolete / End-of-Life Series
| Product Category | ABB Series / Platform | Lifecycle Status | Notes / Replacement Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| AC Drives (LV) | ACS600 | Obsolete | Replaced by ACS880 / ACS580 families |
| AC Drives (LV) | ACS400 | Obsolete | Legacy micro drives |
| AC Drives (LV) | ACS300 / ACS350 | Obsolete | Superseded by ACS355 / ACS580 |
| AC Drives (LV) | ACS200 | Obsolete | Early compact drive platform |
| AC Drives (LV) | ACS100 / ACS140 / ACS160 | Obsolete | No longer manufactured |
| AC Drives (LV) | ACS50 | Obsolete | Basic legacy drive |
| AC Drives (MV) | ACS500 series (older variants) | Obsolete | Limited spares only |
| PLC / Control | Advant Controller AC450 | Obsolete | Migrated to AC800M |
| PLC / Control | Advant Controller AC110 | Obsolete | Legacy PLC platform |
| PLC / Control | MasterPiece 200/2000 | Obsolete | Industrial control legacy system |
| PLC / Control | MOD 300 / MODCELL | Obsolete | DCS legacy platform |
| I/O & Control | DPU / PCMU / MSOC modules | Obsolete | No ongoing production |
| Power / Control | Micro 51 | Obsolete | Electrification legacy product |
| HMI / Panels | Early CP/TP Operator Panels | Obsolete | Superseded by modern HMIs |
Lenze – Confirmed Obsolete / End-of-Life Series
| Product Category | Lenze Series / Platform | Lifecycle Status | Notes / Replacement Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Servo Drives | 8200 Vector Drive | Obsolete / Legacy | Replaced by newer i-series / 9300 series |
| Inverter Drives | 9300 Servo Drive | Obsolete / Legacy | Moving to newer generation platforms |
| Inverter Drives | 9400 HighLine | Obsolete / Legacy | Successor platforms introduced |
| Servo Drives | 9300 Vector Drives (older variants) | Obsolete / Legacy | Replaced with newer modular systems |
| Gearmotors & Drives | 8200 Motec Series | Obsolete / Legacy | Legacy motor-drive combinations |
| Modular Drives | ECS Servo Drives (legacy variants) | Obsolete / Legacy | Transitioning to modern systems |
| DC Drives | 5000 / DC Lok Drives | Obsolete | Traditional DC drives replaced by AC alternatives |
| PLC / Controls | C-Series Controllers (older models) | Obsolete | Transitioned to newer controller platforms |
| Fieldbus Modules | Older L-Bus / BITBUS Modules | Obsolete | Gradually discontinued |
| I/O Modules | Legacy Digital I/O Lines | Obsolete | Superseded by modern I/O families |
Siemens – Confirmed Obsolete / End-of-Life Series
| Product Category | Siemens Series / Platform | Lifecycle Status | Notes / Recommended Successors |
|---|---|---|---|
| PLCs – Classic | SIMATIC S7-200 | Discontinued / Legacy | Replacement: S7-1200 family |
| PLCs – Midrange | SIMATIC S7-300 | Phase-out / entering discontinued | PM400 phase-out Oct 1, 2023; PM410 Oct 1, 2025 |
| PLCs – Large / Midrange | SIMATIC S7-400 (modules) | Phase-out / entering discontinued | Migrate to ET 200SP / S7-1500 / PCS7 |
| I/O – Factory Automation | SIMATIC ET 200M | Phase-out entering discontinued | Migrate to ET 200MP / ET 200SP |
| I/O – Process Automation | SIMATIC ET 200S | Discontinued / Legacy | Migrated to ET 200SP family |
| HMI – Classic Panels | MP277, TP/OP 270, OP170B | Discontinued / Legacy | Replaced by Unified Comfort Panels |
| HMI – Comfort Panels ≥15″ | Comfort Panels 15–22″ | Phase-out / nearing discontinuation | PM400 announced Oct 1, 2024 |
| Legacy Controllers | SIMATIC S5 | Obsolete / End of life | Upgrade to modern PLC platforms |
| Drives / Classic | SIMOREG / Masterdrives (older) | Obsolete / Discontinued | Legacy drive lines no longer supported |
| Communications / Modules | Older fieldbus modules | Obsolete / Discontinued | Migration to Ethernet / PROFINET |
Mitsubishi Electric – Confirmed Obsolete / End-of-Life Series
| Product Category | Series / Model / Family | Lifecycle Status | Notes / Replacement Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| PLC – Compact / Midrange | FX3GE Series CPUs | End of Life (EOL) | Replacements: FX5U / iQ-F series |
| PLC – Classic FX3 | FX3G Series CPUs | End of Life (EOL) | LTB until May 29, 2026 |
| PLC – FX Series (legacy) | FX2N / FX2N Intelligent Modules | End of Life (EOL) | Discontinued 2022–2024 |
| PLC – Legacy Batteries / Modules | FX2NC-32BL Battery | End of Life (EOL) | Support through ~2032 |
| PLC – Old MELSEC / Legacy platforms | Legacy F / FX0 / FX1 / FX2 (N) | EOL / Discontinued | Fully obsolete |
| PLC – MELSEC-Q Series | Q Series C Controller Modules | Production Discontinuation | Alternatives: R12CCPU / RD55UP |
| PLC – MELSEC-L | AnyWire DB A20 / LX / LY Modules | Production Discontinuation | No direct alternatives in some cases |
| PLC – Alpha2 Compact | Alpha2 Series | End of Life (EOL) | Support into 2032 |
| PLC – Legacy A/QnA / AnS | MELSEC-AnS / QnAS / A/QnA | Legacy / Discontinued | Completely obsolete |
| HMI / Displays | FX3 Series Display Units | End of Life (EOL) | Support into 2032 |
| HMI / Other Devices | GT25-WLAN / MELIPC series | End of Life (EOL) | Published EOS schedules |
Omron – Obsolete / Discontinued Product Series
| Product Category | Omron Series / Platform | Lifecycle Status | Notes / Replacement Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| PLC – CJ Series CPUs & I/O | CJ1W (B7A) Series | Discontinued / Obsolete | Replaced by NX / NJ series |
| PLC – CJ Series Modules | CJ1W (CIF / EIP / MC) | Discontinued / Obsolete | Legacy communications modules |
| PLC – CJ1W (SCU / SRM / V60) | CJ1W (SCU, SRM, V60) | Discontinued / Obsolete | Core CJ1W family obsolete |
| PLC – Legacy C Series | C Series Family | Obsolete / End-of-Life | Fully migrated to new platforms |
| PLC – CS1 Series | CS1 CPU / I/O Modules | Discontinued / Obsolete | Not actively supported |
| PLC – Motion Modules | Older Motion I/O Modules | Discontinued | Superseded by NJ / NX solutions |
| HMI / Displays | NT / NS / NB Series | Discontinued / Obsolete | Replaced by UG / NA / NS series |
| Communication Modules | Older fieldbus adaptors | Obsolete | Replaced by EtherNet/IP |
| Specialty I/O | Older Analog / Thermocouple Units | Obsolete | Replaced by NX-series I/O |
| Legacy Controllers | SX / S Series PLCs | Obsolete | Out of mainstream production |
Schneider Electric – Obsolete / Discontinued Products
| Product Category | Schneider Series / Platform | Lifecycle Status | Notes / Replacement Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| PLC – Classic Logic Controllers | Modicon 984 / 984A / 984B | Obsolete / End-of-Life | Replaced by M221 / M241 / M251 / M580 |
| PLC – Classic Modular | Modicon Quantum (older variants) | Discontinued / Obsolete | Successors include M340 / M580 |
| PLC – Compact PLC | Modicon TSX Series | Obsolete | Replaced by M221 / M241 |
| PLC – Modular PLC parts | TWIDO Series | Obsolete | Replaced by Modicon M221 |
| I/O – Field I/O | Fiber Distributed I/O / Early Fieldbus I/O | Obsolete | Replaced by Ethernet I/O systems |
| HMI – Earlier Operator Panels | Magelis ST / GT / GTU | Obsolete / Discontinued | Newer HMIs are GT / GTO series |
| HMI – XBT / XT Series | XBT / XT Panels | Obsolete | Replaced by Magelis range |
| Drives – Legacy VSDs | Altivar 31 / 32 (older) | Obsolete | Modern replacements include Altivar 312 / 32 / 61 / 71 |
| Drives – Classic Drives | Altivar 28 / 58 / 66 | Obsolete / Discontinued | Newer Altivar drives cover these markets |
| Motion & Servo | Lexium 05 / 17 / 32 | Obsolete | Replaced by Lexium 52 / 62 / 28 |
| Communication Modules | Early Fieldbus Adapters | Obsolete | Replaced by industrial Ethernet standards |
FANUC Automation – Obsolete / Discontinued Product Series
| Product Category | FANUC Series / Platform | Lifecycle Status | Notes / Recommended Successors |
|---|---|---|---|
| CNC Controllers | FANUC Series 0 / 0-M / 0-T / 0-i | Obsolete / Legacy | Replaced by Series 15i / 16i / 21i |
| CNC Controllers | FANUC Series 15 / 18 | Obsolete / Legacy | Replaced by i-Series CNC architectures |
| Industrial Robots | FANUC LR / M / R / S | Discontinued | Advanced generation robots now NX / CRX |
| Industrial Robots | R-2000 / R-1000 | Legacy / Obsolete | Discontinued from OEM production |
| Servo Amplifiers / Drives | A06B-Series Drive | Obsolete / Legacy | Replaced by αi / αiB modules |
| Arc / Welding Robots | ARC Mate Original Series | Obsolete / Legacy | Replaced by ArcMate i / CRB |
| Teach Pendants | FANUC Teach Pendant A05 / A06 / A07 | Obsolete | Succeeded by A05B / A06B / A05E |
| Fieldbus / I/O | FANUC FIP / PROFIBUS I/O | Obsolete | Transitioned to Ethernet / OPC UA |
| PC Based Platforms | FANUC Series 21 / 21i / 31iB | Phased Legacy | Replaced by newer i / R30/iB variants |
Bosch Rexroth – Obsolete / Discontinued Product Series
| Product Category | Bosch Rexroth Series / Platform | Lifecycle Status | Notes / Replacement Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| PLC / Controllers | Indra Logic XLC / XLP | Obsolete / Discontinued | Superseded by IndraControl platforms |
| PLC / Controllers | IndraControl SLC | Obsolete | Replaced by IndraControl L / V / P |
| PLC / Controllers | IndraControl V Series | Discontinued / Legacy | Migrated to newer Rexroth platforms |
| Motion Control / Drives | IndraDrive C | Obsolete / Discontinued | Replaced by IndraDrive Mi / MX |
| Motion Control / Drives | IndraDrive H | Obsolete | Architecture replaced by Mi / MX |
| Servo Drives | VT Series Servo Drives | Obsolete | Replaced by IndraDrive Mi / MX |
| Hydraulics Control | Hydraulic PLC / Controllers | Discontinued | Replaced by newer hydraulic platforms |
| Operator Panels / HMIs | VT / VB HMI Series | Discontinued / Obsolete | New HMIs in Automation Platforms |
| Fieldbus Modules | Profibus / DeviceNet adapters | Obsolete | Replaced by Ethernet & OPC UA |
| Scale / Position Sensors | RSxxxx Legacy Series | Obsolete / End of support | Replaced by newer sensors |
Lifecycle Status Verification
Product lifecycle status can vary by model, revision, and region. If you require confirmation of lifecycle status, availability, or sourcing options for specific PLC, drive, HMI, or automation components, PLC Automation can assist with parts identification and lifecycle verification.
Contact us for a no-obligation lifecycle status check.
Disclaimer
All product names, trademarks, brand names, logos, and company names referenced or displayed are the property of their respective owners. Such references are used solely for identification, informational, and illustrative purposes and do not imply any affiliation, endorsement, authorization, or partnership with PLC Automation Pte Ltd.
Lifecycle stage descriptions, product status information, and technical references are based on publicly available original equipment manufacturer (OEM) documentation, official OEM websites, technical notices, industry publications, and general market knowledge available at the time of preparation. While reasonable efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, PLC Automation Pte Ltd makes no representations or warranties, express or implied, regarding the completeness, accuracy, or current status of the information provided.
Product lifecycle stages, availability, support levels, and replacement recommendations may vary by region, model, revision, or OEM policy and may change without notice. The information presented is intended for general reference only and does not constitute engineering, procurement, or professional advice. It should not be relied upon as a substitute for official manufacturer documentation or direct OEM confirmation.
To the fullest extent permitted under the laws of Singapore, PLC Automation Pte Ltd shall not be liable for any loss, damage, downtime, or consequential or incidental damages, whether direct or indirect, arising from or in connection with the use of, interpretation, or reliance upon the information contained herein. Users are advised to verify all technical, commercial, and lifecycle details independently before making procurement, maintenance, or migration decisions.
Users are advised to independently verify all technical, commercial, and lifecycle-related information prior to making any procurement, maintenance, operational, or migration decisions.
Reference Sources (Official OEM Websites)
Lifecycle and product information referenced in this material is derived from publicly available resources, including but not limited to the following official OEM sources:
- Siemens
https://support.industry.siemens.com,
https://www.siemens.com/plm - ABB
https://new.abb.com/service/lifecycle-services,
https://search.abb.com/library - Lenze
https://www.lenze.com/support,
https://www.lenze.com/en-sg - Mitsubishi Electric
https://www.mitsubishielectric.com/fa/support,
https://www.mitsubishielectric.com/fa/products/cnt/plc - Omron
https://www.industrial.omron.eu/en/services-support/product-lifecycle-management,
https://www.ia.omron.com - Schneider Electric
https://www.se.com/ww/en/work/services/lifecycle-services,
https://www.se.com/ww/en/product-range - FANUC
https://www.fanuc.eu,
https://www.fanuc.com/support - Bosch Rexroth
https://www.boschrexroth.com/en/xc/service-and-support,
https://www.boschrexroth.com/en/xc/products
Additional information may also be referenced from OEM technical bulletins, product discontinuation notices, and officially published lifecycle announcements.
