Managing Obsolescence in Electronics Manufacturing

6 May 2024

For contract manufacturers (CMs) and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), navigating the ever-evolving landscape of electronic components poses a constant challenge.

What is Obsolescence Management?

Imagine you've meticulously designed a product, sourced components and production is in full swing. The forward orders are healthy and the production looks to be secure for the foreseeable future. Then a key component goes EOL (End-of-Life), throwing your streamlined inventory management into a panic buy to kick the problem down the road bide you time to figure out a long-term solution. Obsolescence management is the proactive approach to this scenario, anticipating and mitigating the risks associated with component lifecycles.

Neglecting strategic obsolescence plans are numerous and costly:

Production disruptions: Imagine halted assembly lines due to unavailable components. Delays frustrate customers, damage reputations and eat into profits.

Increased costs: Scrambling for last-minute replacements often means inflated prices and potential design changes, impacting margins.

Quality compromises: Substituting obsolete components with subpar alternatives can affect product quality and reliability, jeopardising brand image.

Inventory inefficiencies: Holding onto large quantities of soon-to-be-obsolete components ties up valuable resources and risks depreciation.

Obsolescence management isn't a one-time fix; it's an ongoing process requiring continuous monitoring, adaptation and collaboration.

Obsolescence Management Solutions

Whistler Assured Component Obsolescence Management Program (COMP) is a range of obsolescence management solutions designed to meet your business needs. COMP is a flexible monitoring and BoM appraisal solution and provides you with a safety net. It provides you with industry and sector intelligence relevant to the components you require.

Keeping you lean and compliant

• Obsolescence Management with live BoM Health Checks.
• Environmental compliance, ECCN Governance and Conflict Mineral Data.
• Advanced Predictive obsolescence algorithms and Life Cycle data.
• EOL, PCN and other real-time Alerts.
• Available Drop in Fit-Form-Function alternatives.
• Single and Multi-Source BoM line identification.

Flexible monitoring and BoM appraisal

COMP provides dynamic product change alerts, BoM health checks, predicted obsolescence dates and current life cycles. Live monitoring is designed to minimise the impact of obsolescence and reduce your costs by the early identification and use of appropriate strategies and resources.

It’s a free service and comes with the Whistler Assured Program.

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