Separate catalog from history
Stop accepting new requests for the retired option, but preserve its identifier, description, and past order links. Deleting historical references makes it harder to answer coverage or billing questions for purchases already accepted.
Review open obligations
List active orders and any ongoing written coverage associated with the retired service. Confirm how the supplier will handle them. Catalog removal does not automatically cancel accepted work or erase the terms under which customers purchased.
Offer substitutions transparently
If a replacement is available, compare its scope and ask customers to approve material changes. Do not map old customer orders to a new service merely to keep the storefront looking available. Record the reason and date for retirement internally.
Decision checklist
| Decision | What to check |
|---|---|
| Catalog | No new submissions |
| History | Preserved past terms |
| Open work | Existing obligations reviewed |
Worked example
A hypothetical reseller retires service 81 and introduces service 92 with a higher minimum. New customers can choose 92 after reading its terms; an existing 200-unit order on 81 should not silently become a 1,000-unit purchase on 92.
Example figures explain the decision; they are not current prices or promised results.