The device lifecycle is the sequence of states a product occupies from the factory to the scrap bin. A common breakdown is manufacture, where identity and keys are injected; provisioning, where the device is registered with its platform; commissioning, where it is installed and configured on site; operation, with monitoring and OTA updates; and decommissioning, where credentials are revoked and data is wiped.
Thinking in lifecycle terms forces questions that are easy to skip at launch. Who holds the keys if the manufacturer is acquired? How long will security patches be published? What happens to a smart lock when the cloud service shuts down? Regulators increasingly want these answered before sale. The guide on device management and OTA updates covers the operational middle of the lifecycle.
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