The primary concern of any conscientious purchaser is to maintain a predictable supply of parts that can support projects from development through to final production. However, this seemingly straightforward objective is fraught with a number of significant logistical challenges that can jeopardise even the most well thought out projects.
In the electronics industry, there are many ways that the flow of parts can be impeded, from unforeseen obsolescence to incorrect data sheets, but purchasers can make their jobs vastly easier by partnering with a reliable electronics distributor that understands how to maintain effective supply chains.
Since the start of the semiconductor era, Mouser has served as a crucial connection in the electronics supply chain, partnering with engineers and procurement teams across countless projects and possessing an intimate knowledge of the difficulties that purchasing teams frequently encounter. In this article, we will look at the top frustrations that purchasers face and how to overcome them.
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Limited product availability or stock shortages
Not being able to secure critical components due to limited product availability or stock shortages can result in disruptions to development and production schedules, driving up project delays and costs. These shortages can often stem from increased market demand, supplier constraints, or sudden changes in production requirements and can be hard to predict. To overcome the risk, purchasers need to work with trusted distributors that provide robust inventory management and real-time stock updates. Additionally, identifying alternative components early in product development can prevent production halts when primary options are unavailable.
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Difficulty in tracking orders
Without access to real-time order tracking, purchasers face challenges in managing timelines, communicating delays internally, or addressing unforeseen disruptions effectively. This lack of visibility hinders all aspects of production planning and creates uncertainty throughout the procurement process. Collaborating with distributors that provide clear and consistent order tracking, whether through online portals, automated notifications, or inventory management tools, ensures that purchasers remain informed and maintain better control over their supply chains.
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Lack of detailed product information
Purchasers require comprehensive product information to make informed decisions, yet incomplete or insufficient data can often impede this process. Missing specifications or technical datasheets can lead to delays, incorrect orders, or compatibility issues. Mouser addresses this issue by maintaining comprehensive, up-to-date online information, including detailed specifications, technical resources, and datasheets for all stocked parts, enabling informed purchasing decisions. Furthermore, when manufacturers issue a product change notice (PCN), Mouser automatically forwards that information via email to anyone who has purchased a part in the last two years or has the part saved into a project, bill of materials (BOM), or shopping cart for up to 60 days. Moreover, Mouser’s tech support team will help to find compatible replacement parts.
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Unclear or complicated compliance information
It’s not just product specs; insufficient information of any type is a barrier to making decisions in a timely manner. Compliance documentation, whether related to environmental, safety, or regional regulations, is a critical factor in procurement decisions. When this information is unclear, incomplete, or difficult to access, it slows approval processes and complicates the purchasing workflow. To resolve this frustration, purchasers need suppliers that compile compliance documentation clearly and make it readily accessible, helping to ensure purchasing decisions can be made promptly without unnecessary hurdles. To help streamline compliance activities, Mouser hosts relevant product datasheets and compliance documents on each individual product page. Mouser’s own compliance certifications, such as Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) documentation, can be viewed on Mouser.com.
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Lack of product lifecycle information
Each component specified in a BOM directly impacts the ultimate cost of the finished product, and unforeseen product discontinuations can cause extensive redesigns, adding unforeseen development and manufacturing expenses. To ensure purchases don’t have any unforeseen surprises, Mouser tracks end-of-life (EOL) information across thousands of parts it stocks, clearly labelling parts on Mouser.com that are scheduled to be discontinued as not recommended for new designs (NRND). Furthermore, Mouser’s free BOM tool, FORTE, gives purchasers instant access to NRND data and EOL notices for their projects, helping to avoid problems with obsolescence.
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Minimum Order Quantities (MOQ)
Sometimes the barrier that purchasers need to surmount isn’t a circumstance, it’s a policy. Minimum order quantity (MOQ) policies pose additional challenges, particularly for projects requiring smaller volumes, such as prototypes or low-volume production runs. Rigid MOQs can drive up costs, increase unused inventory, and result in inefficient procurement. For procurement teams, distributors with no MOQ offer the flexibility to obtain precisely the required items, helping them to avoid unnecessary waste and financial strain.
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Difficulty in sourcing new or niche products
In the ever-evolving electronics industry, keeping pace with the latest innovations and technologies is crucial. Delays in acquiring the latest components can significantly impact product development, potentially resulting in a loss of market competitiveness. As the industry’s leading New Product Introduction (NPI) distributor with the widest selection of semiconductors and electronic components, we continuously partner with over 1,200 suppliers to provide our customers with access to niche or innovative components as quickly as possible.
A trusted partner makes purchasing easier
Purchasing can be rife with frustration, but a reliable distributor can help drastically reduce, if not eliminate, the peeves that go with the job. All components available to purchase on Mouser.com are sourced through authorised channels, responsibly handled and stored, and promptly shipped to customers when needed. To enhance supply chain and operational efficiency, Mouser is a coveted AS9100D certified distributor, securing the supply chain for the aviation, space and defence industries, as well as adhering to the SAE AS6496 standard for anti-counterfeit measures.
Mouser works to be the ideal partner for purchasing teams by providing comprehensive product details, a vast part selection, traceable supply chains, and robust product lifecycle management, ensuring a smooth and confident buying experience.
About the author:
Marie-Pierre Ducharme, Vice President, EMEA Marketing & Business Development, Mouser Electronics
