2018 Supply Chain Prediction: Putting Big Data to Work

By Logan Wamsley

The supply chain industry is hardly alone in supporting the global push for Big Data technologies. Nearly every industry, from telecommunications to energy to healthcare, has been steadily accumulating detailed, relevant information on their products and clients with the intention of one day incorporating it into their future offerings. But for 2018, we anticipate that…

The Flawed Logic of Planned Obsolescence

By Logan Wamsley

In the last month, technology titan Apple has found itself caught in the crossfire of customers (and a few mainstream media publications) accusing them of “planned obsolescence” in regard to their decision to slow down processing speeds in older iPhones. Hardly an original concept, the idea behind a planned obsolescence conspiracy is simple: Manufacturers deliberately…

Three Benefits OCMs Receive with a Last Time Buy Solution

By Logan Wamsley

A flexible, personalized delivery schedule. Guaranteed business continuity throughout the entire lifecycle of the OEM’s product. An average of 42 percent savings on inventory carrying costs. 20+ years of preserved working capital. These are only a few of the benefits OEMs and EMS providers receive upon adopting a Last Time Buy Solution. These are more…

The Obsolescence Problem In Your Supply Chain

By Logan Wamsley

Obsolescence is one of the greatest challenges for today’s manufacturers – but it can be overcome. A manufactured product, regardless of industry or function, is, quite literally, the sum of its parts. And each end product, crafted from a wealth of electronic components, semiconductors, and peripheral products, reflects the designs and labor of dozens, even…

BOM Monitoring and The Life Cycle Mismatch

By Michael Stratton

There is a life cycle mismatch between the life of an electronic component, or semiconductor, and the life of an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) product. This problem requires that during design, engineers must be cognizant of which electronic components and semiconductors will be available, and which parts may be obsoleted during a product’s manufacturing process.…

Last Time Buy for PCN and EOL Parts

By Michael Stratton

As the demand for improved technology continues to increase month by month, so does the need to conduct Last Time Buys (LTB) for electronic components. Companies are changing their products at such a rapid rate that end of life (EOL) and Product Change Notifications (PCN) seem to be flying out like a scared flock of…