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Planning interconnect supply for naval and shipboard programmes

WireMasters’ global head, shipboard & marine programs, Rush Holladay, looks at why programme complexity is changing the way interconnect requirements are planned and sourced  Naval and shipboard environments set some of the most demanding interconnect requirements across any engineering programme. Qualification standards must hold under shock and vibration while saltwater exposure and electromagnetic interference add further pressures to systems that often remain in active service well … Read more

What defense buyers need to know

Freedom’s VP of business development, Andy Barnett, explains why certifications, testing, traceability and trusted networks are essential safeguards for modern defense procurement  Sourcing electronic components for defense applications is not a procurement exercise. The stakes demand more. Every part that finds its way into a weapons system, communications platform or drone carries a responsibility that demands discipline, documentation and accountability at every step. The consequences of … Read more

Time-to-market is mission critical in defense electronics

TTI IP&E senior director, aerospace & defense market segment, Regis Balaban, outlines practical approaches for reducing schedule risk in electronics-intensive defense programs  For decades, defense electronics programs operated on long timelines with sourcing optimized around qualification discipline and cost control. That model no longer reflects reality. Across aerospace and defense, time-to-market is now a defining measure of program success and … Read more

DigiKey Marketplace: Expanding Access While Simplifying Procurement

Procurement professionals today operate in a complex environment. Product lifecycles are shortening, supply chains are becoming more global and fragile, and expectations around speed, transparency and reliability continue to rise. In this context, sourcing strategies must evolve beyond traditional models to remain resilient. As a global distribution leader, DigiKey saw an opportunity to help sourcing teams address these challenges through an innovative platform that expands access to products and suppliers while reducing friction, risk and … Read more

Industrial connector sourcing questions answered

Lumberg key account manager, Al Turin, answers the most common connector sourcing questions facing original equipment manufacturers’ purchasing and engineering teams  In today’s fast-evolving electronics landscape, selecting the right connectors for industrial automation, appliances, automotive, building technology and harsh-environment applications can be challenging. Buyers frequently ask the same practical questions. Here are the top 10, with clear answers to help buyers make better … Read more

End-of-life, start of trouble

Smith’s director of global commodities, Claudio Chan, explains how to navigate the complexities of the ongoing DDR4 end-of-life with flexibility, strategy and knowledge  DDR4 may be dead, but the challenges are just beginning. A little more than a year after Samsung, SK hynix and Micron announced that they were transitioning away from DDR4 to focus on new generations and higher bandwidths, DDR4 demand remains strong on the open market. Existing backlogs, lower-end server infrastructure, ongoing expansion of online platforms and upgrades to installed systems have sustained the … Read more

Obsolescence and end-of-life challenges

Quiksol Global’s president, Brian Ellison, outlines practical steps manufacturers can take to navigate end-of-life notifications, supply disruptions and accelerating semiconductor change  Component product lifecycles continue to shorten due to OEMs’ demand for higher performance. This leads component manufacturers to push their architecture technology forward and balance their manufacturing capacity to serve broader customer market verticals. The downstream effect on supply chain professionals is inevitable end-of-life notifications, longer lead times and end product redesign cycle times.  Maintaining a resilient supply chain involves a process of continuous improvement, communication and selecting the right supplier partners to maintain consistent supply.  Product lifecycles are … Read more

Bridging the obsolescence gap

Discover how independent distribution is evolving beyond procurement support, helping manufacturers anticipate shortages, manage lifecycle risks and maintain production  For years, electronic component obsolescence was treated as a predictable lifecycle milestone: manufacturers planned for parts to eventually reach end-of-life status; procurement teams executed last-time buys; engineering groups qualified alternates; and production continued with manageable disruption. That model no longer reflects today’s market reality.  Modern obsolescence is … Read more