Understanding the True Definition of Obsolescence Management

By Logan Wamsley

It is widely understood that “obsolescence” as it relates to the manufacturing industry is defined as the transition of electronic components toward end-of-life. There are many reasons this could occur – some as the result of a component’s natural life cycle, others as the result of unforeseeable circumstances – but regardless of precisely why it…

The 4 Most Common Mistakes Associated with Last Time Buys

By Logan Wamsley

Last time buys, even in the best of situations, rarely go smoothly. There are dozens of variables in play – and if one miscalculation is made, it could have profound consequences for your product, business, relationship with consumers, and profit margins. If you are prepared to make a last time buy, below is a brief…

Allocation: The Forgotten Supply Chain Disruptor

By Logan Wamsley

OEMs across the world are gradually coming to understand the importance of staying ahead of obsolescence in the acquisition of critical electronic components – and the consequences of not accounting for it. However, especially in competitive markets where component demand far outweighs an OCM’s ability to meet supply orders, there is another variable that can…

Medical Devices vs. Consumer Electronics: Why Are Their Life Cycles so Different?

By Logan Wamsley

Trends in today’s manufacturing industry have long indicated that product life cycles are lengthening against the electronic components required to assemble them, but nowhere is this conflict more pronounced than in the healthcare industry. The average life cycle for consumer electronics, such as smartphones or tablets, is conservatively about 18 months. While supporting a consumer…

OCMs: OEMs Want Flexible Delivery Schedules

By Logan Wamsley

In a manufacturing supply chain, there are precious few constants. The price of a critical electronic component will fluctuate in accordance with customer demand, for example, as well as the demand for the OEM product among consumers. Yet, somehow, in a marketplace where change is the only true constant, manufacturers must find a way to…