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Dec 5, 2025 | Biopharma, Blogs, Clinical, Environmental / Industrial, Food / Beverage, Forensic, Life Science Research, Pharma, Service, Support, Technology | 0 comments
Read time: 4 minutes
In today’s environment in which labs are under pressure to reduce operating costs, many will compare the cost of a service contract between third-party providers and the original equipment manufacturer (OEM). At first glance, going with a service contract from a third-party provider may seem like a smart financial move, but experience shows they can introduce risks that affect reliability and compliance.
The risks with third-party service contracts
While third-party service contracts may initially seem appealing because of their lower upfront costs, you may find that they lack the knowledge or access to the right parts that can ultimately jeopardize the effectiveness of your operations.
Issues with third-party service contracts may come in the form of:
When your business relies on productivity and producing reliable results, having systems idling in your lab is not a risk you can afford to take.
When third-party support falls short: A customer experience
One research facility experienced this firsthand. Throughout the time they were on a third-party contract they experienced incomplete and improvised repairs, inconsistent maintenance, and use of non-standard parts on their SCIEX systems. The service engineers also lacked specialized knowledge of SCIEX instruments.
What followed was a series of setbacks as a result:
Not only did these issues cause their productivity to suffer, but it also created costly delays in their research timelines.
Winning back confidence with SCIEX
When the research facility turned to us for help, we did more than offer a quick fix. We delivered a comprehensive recovery plan that focused on restoring long-term reliability and compliance.
Our team provided a thorough assessment of their SCIEX systems to uncover the root causes of instability and other issues that were causing downtime, we worked quickly to re-certify all systems, and we designed a customized service contract for them to address their needs, including:
“When the customer returned to SCIEX, it wasn’t just about fixing multiple instruments — it was about restoring confidence across their entire lab. Several systems had fallen out of spec, and it took a coordinated effort to recertify each one and bring them back to compliance. Our team worked closely with their scientists to help ensure every instrument met regulatory standards and was fully operational. It was a powerful reminder of the value factory-trained expertise makes — not just in response time, but in long-term reliability and audit readiness.” — Gary Chambers, Sr. District Service Manager, SCIEX
Not only was this research facility able to get their operations back on track, but they also regained peace of mind knowing their systems were in good hands.
How you can avoid the same (costly) mistake
While keeping costs low is important, it shouldn’t be at the expense of your operations. At SCIEX, we understand the critical role your systems play in your lab’s success and how they are the lifeline to your business. That’s why we deliver more than just service. We deliver reliability, compliance, and confidence that OEM standards deliver.
Don’t wait for downtime to reveal the true cost of inadequate support. Choose SCIEX for service options designed to help protect your investment, support your research, and maintain your reputation.
Contact us to learn more
In the field of food chemistry and health, Prof. Nils Helge Schebb and his team at the University of Wuppertal are at the forefront of applying cutting-edge analytical methods to investigate how dietary components affect inflammation and chronic disease. Their work focuses on lipid mediators, particularly oxylipins, and how these molecules can be precisely measured and interpreted using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS).
Investing in a new liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) system is a big decision, especially when your lab handles a wide variety of analytical tasks. With so many options out there, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
Useful FAQ document to enable researchers to focus on their scientific discoveries and insights rather than the complexities of data management.
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