Successfully Sourcing Materials Requires Critical Information
Information is power. Whether you are designing new electronics components for military applications or responsible for maintenance at a chemical facility, the ability to access accurate, detailed information regarding parts is essential to meet production goals, shorten time to market, and assure continued operation. Putting in place a robust system to manage the sourcing process takes planning and thorough needs identification. Let’s look at some types of information to consider for your sourcing materials information system.
Information System Considerations
Vendor information such as location, contact information, and ordering details influence the decision to add a company to an approved vendors list (AVL). Shipping costs, differences in quality standards or specifications, and logistics associated with using foreign vendors may be concerns if you’re purchasing safety-related parts or materials for use on military contracts.
Having access to CAGE codes is useful when putting together AVLs and bills of materials (BOMs) to fulfill U.S. government contracts. Since CAGE codes indicate that the company is approved to work on government contracts, using a company with a CAGE code reduces risks related to quality, performance, and financial and business practices.
When manufacturing products, accurate detailed technical part information can mean the difference between meeting orders and lost production days. Procurement officials in manufacturing need parts information that allows them to identify multiple suppliers and provides them the ability to predict and resolve supply issues. Since the lead time to approve additional suppliers can be long, having advance notice of parts availability issues can prevent a crisis.
Management of parts obsolescence relies heavily on access to comprehensive parts information. Critical information required for managing parts obsolescence includes including part status, manufacturer datasheets, end of life notices and predicted end of part life.
When you know in advance that a part is no longer going to be produced by your supplier, you are able to adjust parts inventories and take the time necessary to cost-effectively identify an alternate part. If an alternate part con not be located, a re-design may be necessary.
The ability to make re-design decisions in a timely manner increases the likelihood of a successful effort compared to designing in response to a crisis. Easily and quickly accessing parts information from multiple sources streamlines re-design efforts.
If you’re sourcing materials for facility management maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO), then in addition to the parts availability you need information that is comprehensive covering everything from fire system sprinkler heads to nuts and bolts. When you’re managing activities with a broad scope, being able to quickly locate multiple suppliers and do meaningful cost comparisons assures that budget constraints are met and that the procurement process is streamlined.
During design, essential sourcing information includes
- Parts availability
- Quality assurance
- Standards compliance
- Hazardous materials
- Physical characteristics
Access to this information can help keep the design process on track. Similar to MRO and parts availability during manufacturing, the ability to search multiple suppliers using defined search criteria and easily making comparisons can save time and money.
Available Solutions to Meet Sourcing Needs
Because the need for information regarding sourcing materials is so important, IHS offers customers a series of products and services to streamline and cost effectively support procurement, MRO, manufacturing, and design activities. IHS provides customers access to information covering electronics components, fasteners, government-approved supplier logistics information, and access to more than millions of catalog pages. IHS provides sourcing materials support through several products including Haystack, CatalogXpress, 4DOnline Parts Universe, 4DOnline BOM Optimizer, and Fasteners eCatalog.
Haystack is a comprehensive parts and logistics management system providing access to information on over 100 million items in the U.S. Federal Supply Catalog and related government and commercial databases. Haystack provides engineers with part numbers, manufacturers, competitive analyses, and alternative sources of supply.
CatalogXpress can be searched using keywords, brand names, part number, standards as well as many other characteristics. Delivering data from more than 300,000 catalogs and more than 16,000 manufacturers, this is the world’s most comprehensive source of parts information. Engineers can view descriptions, data sheets, and technical specifications from the manufacturer.
4DOnline Parts Universe provides Internet access to current information on electronics parts. Side-by-side comparisons and up-to-date lifecycle information assures that component selection decisions can be made quickly and easily. This database includes detailed part attributes, current and historical manufacturer documents, and component replacement solutions for semiconductors, passives, electro-mechanical, and connector parts.
4DOnline BOM Optimizer examines the supply-chain viability of component and supplier information in customer’s existing AVL or BOM. BOM Optimizer focuses on the cleansing and verification of part numbers and manufacturers allowing engineers and buyers to make part life-cycle decisions and assure accuracy of information for procurement.
For information, including online demonstrations, about Parts Universe and other related products, visit 4D Online. For information regarding other sourcing related products and services offered by IHS including enterprise solutions, visit IHS Parts Solutions. To talk to an IHS subject matter expert, call 1-888-752-0334 (outside U.S./Canada call 303-397-2892).