Electronic component distributors, suppliers, manufacturers, and retailers have all experienced heavy disruption from the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the show must go on, and procurement rockstars know how to achieve the best possible results while sourcing electronic components—even at a challenging time for the industry. Here are four procurement tips to help you maximize the relationship with your electronic component distributor or other sourcing partner:
4 Procurement Tips That Will Make You a Rockstar
1. Check Your Distributor for IDEA-ICE-3000 Certification
You should always procure from licensed and IDEA certified distributors with an extensive quality management process. The only way to know you’re procuring the highest quality electronic components is with rigorous testing and inspection.
Sensible Micro takes testing seriously. We are one of the rare distributors with an on-site, state of the art testing lab, which we use to perform quality assurance, counterfeit detection, and visual inspection protocols for any components we procure. Our inspection protocols are only administered by IDEA-ICE-3000 certified inspectors, who use a 72-point IDEA-STD-1010-B visual confirmation procedure—the industry-preferred method, as cited in AS5553—to confirm component integrity.
2. Leverage Hybrid Distribution to Boost Procurement Consistency
Authorized distributors may have flagship and high-demand products, but there will come times—such as the current industry upheaval due to the pandemic—when you need expanded options. Perhaps your primary suppliers are out of stock, or you need access to niche or obsolete components that authorized distributors don’t usually provide.
In these situations, there are always independent distributors (without authorized lines) who are ready to help fulfill your orders. However, the best solution is not to hop between distributors, but leverage the modern hybrid distributors, who feature a combination of independent, factory direct, and authorize lines all under one “roof,” so to speak.
Sensible Micro provides a robust hybrid line card with eight authorized lines in addition to a fully vetted network of independent and direct suppliers, all of which we monitor and rate with a rigorous internal system to ensure they always meet customer expectations. Procurement is easy and supply is consistent when you have access to a dynamic and reliable hybrid distributor.
3. Take Advantage of Product Liability and Errors & Omissions Insurance
Nothing feels worse than placing an order with your electronic component distributor only to encounter units lost during shipping, component omissions, or products coming back with liability issues. If your distributor offers insurance to protect you from these mishaps, it’s a worthy investment. If an electronic component distributor doesn’t offer insurance, this is a sign that they lack confidence in the products they source or the vendors they utilize.
At Sensible Micro, we don’t have that problem. Not only do we offer both Product Liability insurance and Errors & Omissions insurance to any interested customer, but we provide a 12-month warranty standard (in addition to factory-direct warranties that can range from 1-5 years). This guarantees the security of your investment and insulates you from mistakes made in logistics, underperforming products, or other errors.
4. Lean Into High-Traceability Web-Based Solutions
One of the most critical advancements in the industry supply chain over the last decade has been the rise of digital, web-based platforms for electronic component buyers. Traceability—ever-important to source vetting and logistics in the supply chain—is unparalleled with electronic systems that automatically track, record, and store all necessary information for easy access through any device. This gives you the real-time data you need to feel confident and remove the guesswork from component procurement.
Sensible Micro provides streamlined access to data on every order through one easy-to-use web portal. You’ll be able to monitor tracking information, review quality inspection reports, and evaluate hi-resolution photos of all components from any of the authorized, direct, or independent lines we’ve used to fulfill your order.
Want to Become a Procurement Rockstar? We Can Help.
Our mission from the beginning has been to fix the problems we saw in the electronic component distributor market with professionally certified QA, a rigorously vetted hybrid network of vendors, and reliable, straightforward service for our customers. Procurement has never been so easy. Contact us to learn more today!
