Headline finding. Across the major elevator control platforms, obsolescence is not a single date - it is a spectrum. A handful of widely-installed controllers (notably the Dover DMC family) have zero OEM parts support today, while others are merely aging, and a few independent platforms are actively supported. This index puts them in one place so an owner can see where their equipment sits before a board fails.
Audience: building owner + consultant. Last reviewed: 2026-08-04 · Editorial review · Confidence: high on cited platforms. Data updates quarterly.
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Methodology
This index aggregates two things: ElevatorBlueprint's own controller references (each linked below), and publicly available manufacturer support information, safety orders, and technical bulletins. Each row is labeled with a confidence level and links to the full guide that supports it. Where a status rests on a published safety order or bulletin, confidence is high; where it reflects a general market timeline, it is moderate and open to correction. No individual building's, owner's, or contractor's private data is used.
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The Index
| Platform | Era | OEM parts / support | Independent support | Status | Confidence | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dover DMC | 1985-2001 | None available | Board repair only, parts scarce | Obsolete | High | Guide |
| Dover DMC-I | legacy, ~80k+ units | None (no repair path) | Very limited | Obsolete | High | Guide |
| KONE (LCE, V3F16, KCE) | varies by platform | Newer supported; older tightening | Restricted (proprietary) | Mixed / at-risk | Moderate | Guide |
| TK / ThyssenKrupp (TAC20, TAC32, MC2) | TAC20 oldest | TAC20 aging; MC2 current | Restricted (proprietary) | Mixed / at-risk | Moderate | Guide |
| Schindler (Miconic NX, MX-GC, TX-GC) | varies | Newer supported | Restricted (proprietary) | Mixed / at-risk | Moderate | Guide |
| Mitsubishi (SP-VF, GPS, ELENESSA, NEXIEZ) | varies | Platform-dependent windows | Restricted (proprietary) | Mixed / at-risk | Moderate | Guide |
| MCE (iControl, Motion 4000) | current-era | Supported | Field-serviceable | Supported (safety bulletin) | High | Fire-risk bulletin |
| Smartrise (SRA) | current-era | Supported | Field-serviceable | Supported (drift bulletin) | High | TSSA bulletin |
| Virginia Controls (MH3000) | 30-yr track record | Non-proprietary | Fully field-serviceable | Supported | Moderate | Guide |
| Alpha | current-era | Non-proprietary | Field-serviceable | Supported | Moderate | Guide |
Status key: Obsolete = no OEM parts path; continued operation depends on scarce salvage/board repair. Mixed / at-risk = supported on newer generations, tightening on older ones within the family. Supported = parts and service available; a safety-bulletin note flags a known issue to check, not an obsolescence problem.
Owner implications
- If you run a Dover DMC or DMC-I, you are on borrowed time: when the board fails there is no OEM repair, and emergency modernization is the most expensive way to buy an elevator. Plan a modernization on your schedule.
- If you run a proprietary OEM platform (KONE/TK/Schindler/Mitsubishi), "obsolete" often depends on your specific generation and is sometimes a sales framing. Confirm your exact platform and generation before accepting an obsolescence-driven quote.
- If your controller carries a safety bulletin (MCE, Smartrise), that is a check-your-unit item, not an obsolescence problem - verify the bulletin number applies to yours.
Consultant implications
This index is a starting reference for a modernization recommendation, not a substitute for confirming the specific platform, generation, and condition on site. Consultants delivering branded obsolescence assessments can build them - with the underlying references and their own findings - in ConsultantOS.
Limitations
Obsolescence timelines move, and OEM support windows are not always published, so "at-risk" rows reflect general market signals rather than a fixed date. Independent parts availability varies by supplier and region. This index states confidence per row precisely so it can be cited honestly and corrected as better information arrives. It deliberately makes no claim it cannot support from a published source or ElevatorBlueprint's own reference.
Data update schedule
Reviewed quarterly; next review in Q4 2026. Corrections from verified field professionals are incorporated as the community system comes online.
Recommended next step
Not sure which controller and generation your building runs, or whether an "obsolete" claim on your quote holds up? Assess your equipment against this index → - free, no signup to start.
Cite as: ElevatorBlueprint, "Elevator Controller Obsolescence Index (2026)." Sources: ElevatorBlueprint controller references (linked) and public manufacturer/regulatory information. Revision history: 2026-08-04 initial index.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How is the Obsolescence Index compiled?
It aggregates ElevatorBlueprint's individual controller references and publicly available manufacturer and regulatory information (safety orders, technical bulletins, published support timelines) into one maintained table. Each row carries a confidence label, and each links to the full guide behind it. It does not use any single owner's or building's private data.
Is a controller on the 'obsolete' list impossible to keep running?
Not always. 'Obsolete' here means the OEM no longer supplies parts or support, so continued operation depends on independent board repair and salvaged parts - which gets harder and more expensive over time. The index tells you where a platform sits so you can plan a modernization on your schedule rather than after an emergency failure.