Case Studies & Articles

A BOM seems simple: just a list of part numbers and the quantities needed to build a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA). But in practice, no single team uses the BOM in the same way. Engineers care about tolerances and footprints. Buyers care about approved vendors and lead times. Manufacturing cares about packaging and no-stuff designators.

If you build hardware, you’ve probably been pitched one of the “big-name” procurement platforms; Coupa, SAP Ariba, Precoro, or something in that family. They promise full control over requisitions, purchase orders, and supplier spend.

Manufacturers know their data is messy. But they don’t realize it is costing them 30% of their operating budget, and they don’t understand the reason why.

New to buying electronic components? Here’s a no-nonsense guide to the basics at every stage from hobbyist to full production.

Procurement software is not a one-size-fits-all decision—especially in electronics manufacturing. While many industries share common purchasing challenges, electronics introduces a level of complexity that can overwhelm generic procurement tools. Shortages, regulatory demands, counterfeit risk, and the high velocity of product design changes all require systems built to handle detailed, component-specific requirements.

Managing procurement in a hardware startup can feel like juggling flaming swords while riding a unicycle. You're sourcing components, managing suppliers, and trying to keep everything on track, all without a dedicated procurement team. It's chaotic, it's stressful, and it's a major bottleneck.

Supply chain shocks used to be rare and isolated. Not anymore. From geopolitical instability to natural disasters and supplier bankruptcies, risk is now baked into the system. Here’s how to stand tall when the world shakes.

If shipping from Taiwan suddenly shuts down tonight, what will be the impact on your production? Do you use parts from Taiwan? How many do you have? How many do you need? Are there alternates? A supply chain disruption starts a race, and the winners will be those with the best supply chain visibility.

Logistics partners aren’t interchangeable. Understanding the three core types of 3PL providers helps you choose smarter and avoid mismatches.

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Logistics decisions can either support your production schedule—or disrupt it. When you’re dealing with reels of resistors and kits for PCB lines, generic warehousing won’t cut it. That’s where electronics-focused 3PLs (e3PLs) step in.

The hidden $140 box: how geography quietly multiplies your shipping costs.