Before you begin your EMS request-for-quote (RFQ) processs, think about which EMS providers you want to be the bidders. Which providers do you prefer to engage? Larger OEMs might already have an idea of at least a few of the EMS manufacturers you want to participate in your bidding process.
Provided you have an adequate RFQ package, your RFQ process can then proceed relatively fast with three to five providers you move immediately into the final round before selecting one or more EMS partners best suited.
For many other OEMs and hardware startups or you’re new at this you might spend time doing research or use a third party to help you with it and look at considerably more providers, and look at the range from Tier-5 and -4 to Tier-1 contract electronics providers.
Its going to be in your best interest to understand how and where you and your company will benefit from outsourcing. This is an important decision for you as a company, and for you as a leader in this area because the better EMS decisions you make the more scalable your chosen outsourcing solution will be.
Make it count
As you proceed through your RFQ and selection processes look at each solutions provider carefully. Understand who they are. Break out your decision process into a couple of stages where you go from having 10 to 15 EMS providers down to three or four in the final round including ODM and EMS supplier quality and factory audits.
You’ll want to bring at least two providers into your final selection round because you want to maintain the competitive element in your process, plus this helps ensure your team does their due diligence.
Invest the time internally and talk among your internal functional groups. Let your team talk to each other about what they see as different companies’ strengths and weaknesses and strength and weaknesses they see in your own company.
