When key components that are urgently needed for the production or repair of long-lasting systems, machines and devices are suddenly no longer available anywhere, this can have far-reaching economic consequences for the companies affected. Most industrial managers, purchasers, developers and logistics specialists have realized during the coronavirus pandemic how painful these consequences can be.
Four years later, the supply situation has eased somewhat in many areas. However, the latent obsolescence risks have not diminished as a result. On the contrary. “It is not only the increasing number of change notifications and component discontinuations from year to year that worries us at the industry association COGD (Component Obsolescence Group Deutschland) e.V.. The problem is that PCB materials, auxiliary materials, software tools etc. are suddenly no longer available for a variety of reasons. Sooner or later, at least larger companies will therefore find it difficult to avoid the introduction of strategic obsolescence management covering all areas of the company,” predicts Axel Wagner, Corporate Layer at Asteelflash and honorary chairman of the COGD.
Interested exhibitors and visitors to electronica 2024 will find out how best to protect themselves against obsolescence, what needs to be considered when implementing obsolescence management in their own company and which tools are indispensable for efficient reactive risk management at the 5th Obsolescence Day 2024 organized by COGD in cooperation with Messe München on 15 November in Munich.
From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the PCB & EMS Marketplace in Hall A1, twelve experts will explain various aspects of the topic of obsolescence and present corresponding solutions in six sessions and a subsequent discussion round. The presentation topics include how obsolescence risks in the parts list can be reduced through strategic management of component identity, why professional obsolescence management begins in the design-in phase, what useful synergies exist between obsolescence and configuration management, and why obsolescence management will be a key factor for future cooperation between EMS companies and OEMs. In addition, the correct handling of special microelectronics for mission-critical applications and business aspects of obsolescence will also be discussed.
At the same time, trade fair visitors and exhibitors can find out about the various proactive and reactive obsolescence strategies, methods and tools at the booths of 15 COGD member companies throughout the day. The participants in this unique event:
Accuris (Hall B5, Stand 102), formerly known as IHS and a founding member of COGD, has been providing obsolescence management solutions for over 40 years. Claimed to be the world’s most accurate and up-to-date database of electronic, electromechanical components and fasteners with over 1.2 billion registered parts, it is updated daily and provides access to technical specifications, prices, stock levels, lifecycle forecasts, environmental and export compliance, PCN/EOL monitoring and more.
Asteelflash (Hall A1, Stand 129), part of USI, is one of the world’s twelve largest manufacturing electronics service and solution providers for the entire supply chain. The company offers services ranging from a strategic approach in the quotation phase to proactive support for regular BOM improvements during high-volume production and last time buy activities. PCN and PDN management as one of the most important tasks of reactive obsolescence management is optimized by tools such as Agile PLM together with the automated, workflow-driven Part-Obso App.
Bay-Soft (Hall A1, Stand 653) offers various software modules for obsolescence management. The highly automated Bay-2 PDM with PLM manages and updates standard and special parts, taking into account the life cycle and compliance requirements. The integrated Bay-2 Best Price Engine researches customer-specific prices and daily stock levels in real time and autonomously orders hard-to-find parts as soon as they are available again. Other modules, such as the mapping of customer-specific workflows, risk management and the RoHS REACH report, simplify day-to-day work even further.
BMK (Hall A1, Stand 461) is a full-service provider with over 30 years of EMS expertise, offering its customers a broad portfolio of services from development and production through to end-of-life management. BMK’s obsolescence management protects electronic projects from the risks of component discontinuation, among other things. PCN management tailored to the respective customer requirements extends the service life of the products and enables efficient cost savings and planning security.
btv Technologies (Hall B5, Stand 570) has stood for process optimization and sustainable supply security in the automotive and consumer goods industry for over 30 years. The extensive expertise in the areas of logistics, programming, long-term storage, quality management and testing enables comprehensive complete solutions for the sustainable planning of the entire life cycle of electronic components.
Cicor (Hall A1, Stand 353), a global provider of complete electronic solutions from research and development to production and supply chain management, sees obsolescence management as an integral part of all design, development, production and service activities. A thorough life cycle cost analysis helps users to avoid high indirect costs in the long term. In addition, customers receive complete traceability over the entire product life cycle.
D+D+M (Hall B5, Stand 241) has set itself the task of advising companies in the field of obsolescence management and providing various other services, including the programming of individual solutions. The company’s portfolio also includes its own industry-independent database (pcn.global®), which has established itself in recent years as one of the largest and most reliable sources for the digital processing of PCNs and PDNs through the use of smartPCN.
DMB Technics (Hall B6, Stand 221) specializes in the development of custom display ads and systems. Each work step is carefully verified and validated. First, the experts check all specifications and the specific properties of the samples and series parts. The customer then approves the individual work steps. This ensures the high quality of the products. To optimize supply security, the company also relies on proactive and reactive obsolescence management.
Factronix (Hall B4, Stand 428) is an owner-managed sales and service company that has made a name for itself over the past 15 years as a certified partner for the reconditioning of obsolete components, among other things. A unique BGA laser reballing process ensures reliable and absolutely gentle precision recycling. With the in-house realloying or re-tinning processes, any component shape up to size 0402 can be processed. The company also offers in-depth X-ray analysis.
GPV Germany (Hall A1, Stand 115), founded in Denmark in 1961, is now one of the leading manufacturing service providers in Europe with around 8,000 employees. As a customer-oriented EMS partner, GPV provides complex electronics, in-house mechanics and cable assembly, test and assembly of mechatronics and box build, including ODM product and application design, as well as test development across the entire high-mix EMS value chain.
HTV (Hall A3, Stand 554) has stood since 1986 for comprehensive technological expertise in the areas of testing, component programming, long-term storage and preservation for up to 50 years, as well as analysis and processing of electronic components and assemblies. The HTV Institute for Material Analysis offers state-of-the-art procedures for failure analysis, material testing, quality control and determination of component manipulation in its accredited test laboratory. In addition, numerous courses such as IPC-A-600/610 training can be booked at the HTV Academy.
IC-Direct (Hall B5, Stand 528) is an independent certified distributor for electronic components. The company offers a wide range of customer-specific services, from sourcing hard-to-find components or discontinued ICs to price optimization and overstock management. IC-Direct is also committed to sustainability in other areas. For example, the company was the world’s first distributor of electronic components to achieve the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement in 2021.
Rafi Group (Hall A2, Stand 341) is major E²MS service provider, and offers customers a complete range of services covering all phases from development to comprehensive product lifecycle management. The portfolio includes control and signaling devices, electronic assemblies, touchscreens, joysticks and complex system solutions, which are primarily used in the fields of robotics and automation, agricultural and construction machinery, medical technology, mechanical and plant engineering as well as new mobility and smart infrastructure.
TQ-Group (Hall A1, Stand 421), one of the largest technology service providers and electronics specialists in Germany, implements customized, innovative complete solutions for a wide range of industries in both the hardware and software sectors. The TQ mission “From the idea to beyond series production” is supported to a large extent by a sophisticated internal obsolescence management system that ensures the long-term availability of devices and systems in all phases of the product life cycle.
Würth Elektronik eiSos (Hall A6, Stand 502) is one of the largest European manufacturers of passive components. The availability from stock of all catalog components with no minimum order quantity, free samples and comprehensive technical support characterize the company’s service orientation.
COGD’s aim with the extensive program of the 5th Obsolescence Day is to encourage as many managers, purchasers, developers, logisticians and project managers as possible to deal with potential obsolescence risks and the resulting negative consequences both for their own company and for the company’s customers even more intensively than before. Unfortunately, the fact that not only product discontinuations can quickly develop into a real problem, but also supplier insolvencies, company takeovers, natural disasters, epidemics, geopolitical conflicts or even regulatory requirements from the authorities is still all too often consciously or unconsciously ignored. That applies not only to RoHS, REACH and the reporting obligations for conflict minerals, but also to internationally differing environmental regulations, quality and safety standards, conformity tests, certifications and product liability. Axel Wagner sees a particular need for action among manufacturers of durable industrial goods. “It is pleasing that there is now a wide range of options and measures available to effectively protect against obsolescence and its usually expensive consequences. What is unfortunate is that in many companies, all of these strategic, proactive and at least reactive options are often only used when things have already gone wrong. From COGD’s point of view, this needs to be changed as quickly as possible”, says the COGD Chairman.
Detailed information on the 5th Obsolescence Day of COGD (Component Obsolescence Group Deutschland) e.V. and the other activities of the non-profit industry association can be found on the association’s website at www.cog-d.de www.cog-d.de.
