When sourcing electronics services design or manufacture for your OEM product program (electrical, PCB design / layout, SMT and PCBA, electro-mechanical assembly, final systems test…) there are a few tips OEMs can keep in mind for a win-win.
Managing ambiguity early on will help both the OEM and the provider of electronics services minimize risk and uncertainty in the quote process.
The provider risks quoting too high and possibly losing the opportunity. And if he quotes too low to win the OEM program he ends up taking the program in at a loss.
The OEM risks production and shipping delays because the electronics product doesn’t meet spec or, overly paying for provider prices with excessive PPV and inflated pricing because the provider felt a need to protect himself from the ambiguity.
Both sides want to act-in-good faith but as most OEM buyers of electronics services know there is no standard pricing when sourcing relative electronics services.
So, savvy OEM buyers of complex, product-specific electronic services remove this risk by communicating their program technical requirements and anticipate manufacturing and marketplace challenges as clearly as possible and are usually rewarded with more reasonable pricing when comparing provider quotes plus, fewer quality issues in manufacturing.
