When you first hear about a Customer Value Agreement (CVA), it can sound a little technical. Acronyms, monitoring tools, preventative services… it’s a lot to take in. But here’s the good news: once you break it down, the pieces are simple, practical and designed to make your life easier as an equipment owner.

And the best part? A CVA isn’t one-size-fits-all. You can choose the path that fits how you like to run your equipment — whether you’re the type who prefers doing your own maintenance with the right parts delivered on time, or the type who wants the added confidence of Cat-certified technician support from your trusted Cat dealer.

This glossary will walk you through the core terms you’ll see connected to a CVA. Think of it as your quick reference guide. By the end, you’ll see why a CVA isn’t just a stack of services, it’s a smart, hassle-free investment in your equipment and your business.

Customer Value Agreement (CVA)

Definition: A CVA is a tailored ownership plan that brings Cat parts, services and dealer support together around how you want to own and operate your equipment.

Why it matters: Instead of chasing down maintenance tasks or worrying about unexpected repairs, you have a plan in place from day one. CVAs simplify ownership, control costs and protect your uptime.

Services Commitment

Definition: Cat’s commitment built into CVAs — parts and service are delivered within set timeframes, with financial credits if commitments aren’t met.

Why it matters: It’s not just support. It’s reliable support. Services Commitment gives you certainty when downtime threatens your schedule.

Preventative Maintenance

Definition: Regularly scheduled services to keep equipment in top shape before issues arise.

Why it matters: Preventative maintenance helps reduce costly surprises, maximizes uptime and extends the life of your machines.

Condition Monitoring

Definition: Using machine data and inspections to track the health of your machine over time.

Why it matters: Think of it as an early warning system. Condition monitoring helps spot potential problems before they turn into downtime, saving you money and freeing you from worry.

Expert Dealer Support

Definition: Hands-on help from your Cat dealer, including diagnostics, repairs and expert advice.

Why it matters: Machines are only as strong as the support behind them. Having trusted Cat dealer experts means faster fixes and peace of mind.

Flexible Payment Options*

Definition: The ability to roll your CVA costs into one easy monthly machine payment or choose another structure that works for you.

Why it matters: Clear, predictable budgeting without surprise expenses makes managing ownership costs much easier.

S•O•S^℠ Services / Fluid Analysis

Definition: Lab testing of your machine’s fluids (oil, coolant, hydraulic) to check for early signs of wear or contamination.

Why it matters: It’s like a blood test for your machine. Regular fluid analysis can prevent costly breakdowns by catching issues before they become serious.

Genuine Cat Parts

Definition: Parts built specifically for your Cat equipment, delivered when and where you need them.

Why it matters: Genuine parts fit right, perform better and last longer. They keep your equipment running like it should and protect your investment.

Planned Maintenance Kits

Definition: Pre-packaged kits with everything you need for scheduled service intervals, delivered to you on time.

Why it matters: No more guessing, no more searching. Everything arrives when you need it, ready to go, saving you time and hassle.

VisionLink^®

Definition: A web and mobile platform that shows machine data (hours, location, health alerts) in one easy dashboard.

Why it matters: VisionLink puts powerful information in your hands. With a few clicks, you can monitor your fleet, plan maintenance and make data-driven decisions.

At the end of the day, every piece of a CVA is designed to make your ownership experience simpler, smarter and more reliable. From genuine Cat parts delivered on schedule, to dealer support you can count on, to advanced tools like VisionLink^® — it all adds up to fewer headaches and more uptime.

A CVA isn’t just a set of services, it’s a partnership that helps you reduce downtime, extend equipment life and save money.

Ready to take the next step?

• Explore Cat CVA offerings.
• Watch the CVA Fundamentals Video
• Or connect with your local Cat dealer to build a CVA that fits your needs.

^{* Subject to restrictions and availability. Dealer participation may vary. See your participating Cat dealer for details.}