The supply chain continues to suffer the effects left by the pandemic and Russias’ invasion of Ukraine, which has affected the chip industry, creating a shortage of these components so necessary for all areas of technology in general. The chips are basically a series of integrated circuits to a board of extremely small dimensions that are intertwined with each other in order to make a certain signal, sent by a device in question, travel through this circuitry and fulfill a specific function.
Recommended actions to secure the supply chain
Faced with a panorama that at the moment looks unstable and with the aim of maintaining the correct functioning in the supply chain due to the shortage of chips and the recurring technical problems that unfortunately will continue to affect the industry, it is propitious to provide some recommendations to preserve the security and reputation of your business:
Highly flexible product assembly in the face of change
Assembling products with components that can be reused and that do not depend on specific software to function are just some of the ways to deal with the shortage of chips. The design part is also fundamental for these purposes, since the simpler or more standard it is, the fewer the complications when it comes to its reuse in components belonging to other lines of business.
Periodic evaluation of those chains that could be most affected
Given the growing shortage of chips, companies have increased the number of periodic evaluations focused on detecting which chains could be affected in the near future through the advice of experts in the detection of risks who prepare these accurate reports with the aim of allocating efforts in those points of weakness.
Closer relationship with the component supplier
Every good business relationship is based on transparency and total trust between the supplier and its customers, which influences the quality of good communication when coordinating efforts or renewing important points related to the shipment of components such as chips. In this context, the proximity with those assemblers or suppliers of chips will be a good step to follow in order to strengthen relationships and thereby receive recurring information on the current state of these supply chains.
Greater communication fluidity between engineering, marketing, sales and purchasing
Another good practice is to give greater emphasis to cogent communication between engineering, marketing, purchasing and sales departments. In this way, these
Departments will be able to adapt more effectively to any change in the chains related to the supply of components by creating strategies that allow the sustainability of the company in those difficult times.
Source:
” Pragmatic measures to protect against chip shortages.” Mexicoxport
