Steves Optical Services can now offer a wider range of Service Contracts for all Bio-Rad manufactured Confocal Systems (excluding the DVC 250) based on the Contracts that were previously available from Bio-Rad Microscience, but the good news is my Service Contracts actually offer more features than the old Bio-Rad (Zeiss) versions did to keep your system performing optimally for your research.
There are three types of Service Contract on offer from an ‘All Inclusive’ option to a more basic option. All of the Contracts can be upgraded to a new Service Contract from the ‘Plus’ range, which also includes the microscope attached to your system.
This makes a total of six Service Contract possibilities to protect your investment and cover a wide range of needs.
Another very popular choice has been for my additional 7th option of a ‘Pay As You Go’ Agreement. A serious consideration if a contract is not really what you are looking for.
All the Service Contracts include the following features:-
 | Maintaining the performance of your system, for optimal imaging. | ||
| Priority service with a specified response time. | ||
| Enhanced technical support via phone and e-mail. | ||
| Reduced administration. | ||
| Less Budgetary concerns | ||
| Quantity discounts to the contract price if more than one system is covered at the same location and both PM visits are carried out at the same time. |
The ‘Gold Select’ Contract includes:-
| Laser replacement for all the lasers, including discriminating filters. |
| All Bio-Rad (Zeiss) spare parts. |
| All labour and travel costs. |
| One Preventative Maintenance (PM) visit per contract year. |
| Peace of mind knowing there are no hidden costs. |
The extra benefits added by Steves Optical Service are:-
| All lasers include any external lasers. |
| Any other Bio-Rad (Zeiss) peripherals and Data Stations are also included. |
The ‘Gold Plus’ Contract includes everything covered by the ‘Gold Select’ Contract plus the following additions:-
| The opportunity to have the microscope that is connected to your system serviced. This would be performed when the PM visit is carried out on the Confocal Imaging System. This has the added advantage that I can re-align the Confocal system after the microscope has been serviced. |
| Personalisation options, which could include additional PM visits or additional microscopes that are not attached to the system. |
The ‘Silver Select’ Contract includes everything covered by the ‘Gold Select’ Contract except for all the lasers, including discriminating filters and all the costs to replace them, so there is slightly less peace of mind. The following additional benefits are included instead:-
| Fixed price for any additional labour required in the event of a laser repair or failure. | ||
| For any laser replacements, including discriminating filters that are provided in the event of failure a discount applies all of the time (e.g. not just after a PM visit). |
The ‘Silver Plus’ Contract covers the same additions (only) as the ‘Gold Plus’ contract.
The ‘Bronze Select’ Contract includes everything covered by the ‘Silver Select’ Contract except for all the spare parts and the travel costs (those required for the PM visit are still included) as well as any other Bio-Rad (Zeiss) peripherals and Data Stations. The following additional benefits are included instead:-
| Fixed price for any additional labour required in the event of a system malfunction. |
| For any spare parts including lasers that are provided in the event of a system malfunction, a discount applies all of the time (e.g. not just after a PM visit). |
Once again the ‘Bronze Plus’ Contract covers the same additions (only) as the ‘Gold Plus’ contract and also includes any other Bio-Rad (Zeiss) peripherals and Data Stations.
The ‘Pay As You Go’ option is not an actual Service Contract, but an Agreement. How it works is very simple, I hold a pot of your money to be used on your behalf, and any service work carried out (lasers, spare parts, P.M. Visits, labour & travel time with their associated costs) is paid for up to the limit of your pot of money. Unlike the Service Contracts I offer, the ‘Pay As You Go’ Agreement is not time dependent and therefore your pot of money lasts until it runs out. Some customers have even used the money to purchase system upgrades or microscopes. With this Agreement you still have the ‘additional’ benefits of the ‘Bronze Select’ Contract.
Perhaps you are looking for an option that is not described, if so please do use the ‘Contact’ page to request your bespoke tailored solution.
The Bio-Rad Microscience (Zeiss) Service Contracts were conditional upon a billable inspection and, if necessary, a repair of the system being carried out before a Contract would be offered. Please note, the same condition will apply to the Service Contracts offered by Steves Optical Services.
Spare Part Clarification Notes.
Optical Parts, including discriminating filters are more commonly known as excitation filters, emission filters and Dichroics.
The Radiance Confocal Imaging Systems owners need to be aware that the Scanhead optics are factory bonded into the scan head casting and therefore can no longer be replaced, Steves Optical Services will endeavour to replace the Scanhead with a like for like alternative if the concave mirrors degrade or are damaged to the extent where they affect the imaging quality of the Confocal system, but half the cost of the Scanhead will need to be borne by the customer if the chosen Service Contract (Gold or Silver) would normally include spare parts (i.e. not the Bronze Contract or the Pay As You Go Agreement).