What's happening in the electronics supply chain that will change the way business is done? News Editor Suzanne Deffree looks at environmental regulations, RFID, inventory levels, globalization, distribution, and a host of other issues that influence the electronics supply chain.
Advertisement
Profile
RSS Feed
-
Add this blog to your RSS newsreader!
Recent Posts
- Do you know enough about LEDs?
- Comments wanted on 15 possible 'Substances of Very High Concern'
- IPC shines light on solar industry, forms standards committee
- Top 25 distributors list: Avnet no. 1, Mouser shows 30% rev gain
- Mouser eyes UK, Digi-Key eyes Canada in customer service pushes
- Do you have what it takes to be the first Iron Circuit Designer?
- Avoiding counterfeit components
- IPC happy with proposed ROHS revisions, are you?
- Fairchild notes distributors reduced inventories as it lowers Q4 guidance
- Premier Farnell/Newark's $100K green design competition open
Recent Comments
- Dietroly on Top 25 distributors list: Avnet no. 1, Mouser shows 30% rev gain
- Doctorset on Top 25 distributors list: Avnet no. 1, Mouser shows 30% rev gain
- English escort London on Free MIT course materials and supply chain seminars
- Marcus on Free MIT course materials and supply chain seminars
- TABREZ AHMAD, ENGINEER, HAL INDIA on Avoiding counterfeit components
Most Commented On
- EDS: The shallow US talent pool (24)
- Hey, Gore, you could be right (23)
- ROHS under review: IPC argues for consideration of life-cycle impacts, but is it a futile argument? (22)
- More from Al Gore: Former VP takes job at Silicon Valley VC firm (19)
- Free MIT course materials and supply chain seminars (15)
Archives
- September 2009
- August 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- January 2009
- December 2008
- November 2008
- October 2008
- September 2008
- August 2008
- July 2008
- June 2008
- May 2008
- April 2008
- March 2008
- February 2008
- January 2008
- December 2007
- November 2007
- October 2007
- September 2007
- August 2007
- July 2007
- June 2007
- May 2007
- April 2007
- March 2007
- February 2007
By Category
Electronics Supply Chain Articles
- Outsourcing to China in question
- MIIT proposes China ROHS catalog
- BLE set for surge
- With spotlight on Asia/Pacific, don't forget Americas design
- European Union, other organizations propose 15 “substances of very high concern”
- More...
Blog
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Avoiding counterfeit components
Jan 21 2009 2:19PM | Permalink |Comments (4) |
EDN sister publication Electronics Weekly has a short article live today on how to avoid counterfeit components.
The article highlights a new booklet from UK-based COG (Component Obsolescence Group) titled The Counterfeit Electronic Components Minefield. I'm familiar with COG but haven't seen the booklet, although I am considering purchasing it, as I'm taken in by description and title.
"Minefield" is a great way to describe the counterfeit situation. After all, counterfeit components are scattered throughout the electronics supply chain, ready to trigger disaster in electronics. Even the most wary buyers can end up with counterfeit product, be it brought into the electronics supply chain through returns, direct imitation, or by other means.
But, to save a few bucks, normally wary people seem to be letting their guard down in this economic environment and going to the shady parts of the gray market instead of, say, sticking with their authorized distributor or at least a distribution channel they've worked with before. Not wise, not wise at all right now. That dollar saved could come back to bite you as hazardous counterfeit parts and a trashed reputation, which will stick with a company a lot longer than the downturn will stick around.
If you've already read the booklet and have something to share on it, do so below. Comments on the counterfeit situation are also welcome below.
Reader Comments
at 1/22/2009 9:03:20 AM, Ken Rogers said:
Counterfeiting of electronic components is a growing problem. The U.S. aerospace and military industries are responding with new standards and development of best practices such as the SAE''s new AS5553 standard to be published early this year and with leadership by members of the Aerospace Industry Association through their Counterfeit Parts team. An excellent resource for current information on these activities and other ways to combat counterfeits in the electronic component industry, see the web site www.combatcounterfeits.com.
Ken Rogers
Electronic Supply Chain Solutions, Inc.
at 2/18/2009 9:36:16 PM, Matthew Heaphy said:
While many believe that www.combatcounterfeits.com is one of the best resources for information to mitigate risk and combat counterfeits another website www.safesourceseal.com which was pioneered by Electronic Supply Chain Solutions Inc. provides Aerospace Sourcing Assurance and will be discussed at the up coming Quality Leadership Forum at NASA Kennedy Space Center on March 18th & 19th 2009
at 3/2/2009 4:43:19 PM, Jan Salatino said:
As the Quality Manager at ESCS I was proud to be part of a company that was a participant in this years Future Aerospace Congress It was well represented by senior members of prime contractors such as : ABB, Boeing,, Bell helicopter, NASA, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, and United Space Alliance just to name a few. The three day event consisted of roundtable discussions on the Evolution of Advanced Materials, recycling, automation and the importance of full disclosure. A second round table discussion was on Supply Chain Strategy including best practices, sourcing and overall effectiveness. As an owner of an electronic component distribution company, Electronic Supply Chain Solutions’ President Matthew Heaphy III provided other panel members a unique prospective as to the approach his company has taken to “Combat Counterfeits with a free web site ESCS maintains to educate the electronics industry. Mr. Heaphy discussed what it meant to be AS9120 Quality Certified company and how teaming up with organizations such as :GIDEP, AIA, IDEA,ERAI and his association with the CACP (Coalition Against Counterfeiting and Piracy) were just some of the steps companies can take to protect their supply chain. ESCS also showcased a process called ICPHOTOSYNTH.com which captures every single lot code of every single date code of every part that enters ESCS during the inspection process. This years Future Aerospace Congress also featured several keynote speakers during the event.The first speaker this year was Electronic Supply Chain Solutions President Matthew Heaphy III on the topic of “Best Practices in Supply Chain Sourcing to Combat Counterfeits” During his speech Mr. Heaphy touched on many of the issues identified during the panel discussion but also conveyed the size and scope of the counterfeiting problem in the USA and the trickle down effect it has on all U.S. citizens. He also outlined some of the steps companies need to take to protect themselves. As an independent distributor that services the aerospace industry ESCS is asked to procure obsolete products that are required to maintain aircraft for many years. ESCS uses tests and evidence based protocols to mitigate our customers risk especially as it relates to the loss of human lives. A watch or DVD seems like a victimless crime however intellectual property is stealing the life blood of companies today. Information sharing is becoming more popular when conducting business with supply chain partners. But how can you protect your IP? This topic was on the minds of everyone in attendance and many companies requested private discussions with ESCS to explore their options.Electronic Supply Chain Solutions staff has been collecting data as part of commitment to safe supply chain and has published an Industry Assessment entitled Awareness and Industry Efforts to Combat Counterfeits in Aerospace & Military Electronic Component ProcurementBy clicking on the above link you can learn the views and prospective of many aerospace industry leaders and use that information to Combat Counterfeits at your company. ESCS has also tried to raise awareness in the industry by offering it’s product called “Infomins” Have you taken yours today? Infomins are like vitamins that give you the information you need to make sound business decisions. Visit www.infomins.com Mr. Heaphy wrapped up his speech on Best Practices in the Supply Chain by announcing thier latest brainchild of www.escsgps.com which navigates to the information you need. This GPS “Graphic Procurement System” utilizes many of ESCS graphics to hyperlink you to our proprietary suite of web products designed to make buyers and engineers well informed. ESCS an AS9120 Quality Company to learn more visit Electronic Supply Chain Solutions Information Source at www.escsinfo.com
at 10/16/2009 10:12:00 AM, TABREZ AHMAD, ENGINEER, HAL INDIA said:
ONE OF THE VERY NICE AND ENLIGHTENING ARTICLE ON COUNTERFEIT COMPONENTS....
I WANT TO KNOW IF ANY ONE OF U HAVE COME ACROSS COUNTERFEIT IC DETECTOR FROM ABI ELECTRONICS, UK ?
HOW IS ITS PERFORMANCE ?
THANKS
TABREZ
tabrezahm@gmail.com
Engineer, HAL
India
Post a comment
About Us | Contact Us | Free Email Newsletters | Free Magazine Subscription | Advertising | 
RSS
©1997-2009 Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Use of this Web site is subject to its Terms of Use | Privacy Policy