Navigating the challenges of technological obsolescence in manufacturing
EDITOR’ S CHOICE REAL-WORLD SOLUTIONS
BYTESNAP DESIGN
Navigating the challenges of technological obsolescence in manufacturing
Dunstan Power, ByteSnap Design
The recent ublox withdrawal from cellular bombshell clearly illustrates how obsolescence poses a significant challenge for manufacturers. Some businesses reportedly face re-development costs of hundreds of thousands of pounds.
A recent industry survey shows 90 % of manufacturers face obsolescence issues at least once a year, with 28 % experiencing these challenges more than once a quarter. This hampers product development, production efficiency and competitiveness, in a market where agility and innovation are key.
Overcoming Obsolescence Challenges
Manufacturers facing complex design and obsolescence challenges need solutions that address immediate problems, and future-proof product designs and operations.
UK-leading electronics engineering consultancy ByteSnap Design has been trusted by companies since 2008 to navigate such scenarios, by redesigning existing PCBs and replacing obsolete components.
ByteSnap’ s expertise in embedded systems development and product redesign are highly valued by clients. For example, global bearings manufacturers SKF benefitted from collaborating with ByteSnap on a rugged shaft alignment tools redevelopment project.
ByteSnap’ s expertise in embedded systems development and product redesign are highly valued by clients.
SKF were able to increase productivity and focus internal resources on major projects. Amongst other benefits:
• The newly upgraded products have been SKF’ s most successful devices ever with high perceived quality and very low warranty rates
• ByteSnap’ s strong technical ability, especially in legacy OS systems, ensured smooth project progression on time, within budget
• Access to ByteSnap’ s user interface framework, SnapUI, led to easier and quicker GUI development
ByteSnap’ s Redesign service is also a particularly effective match for addressing obsolescence challenges- avoiding costly upgrades or production halts:
“ We had a product we couldn’ t produce anymore, but with just one meeting a week during development, ByteSnap have redesigned the device and successfully dealt with the technical issues. Very pleased – very little management from our side needed on this.”
– Smart City Infrastructure Manufacturer
Future-Proofing Strategies
Manufacturers should adopt best practice strategies to manage technological obsolescence, including:
1. Regular system audits: Conduct regular audits to identify potential obsolescence risks early. This allows for timely planning and mitigation.
2. Strategic partnerships: Collaborate with technology providers like ByteSnap to leverage their expertise in custom electronics design and IIoT solutions. Such partnerships can help manufacturers stay ahead of the competition by integrating the latest technologies seamlessly into their operations.
3. Check longevity plans: particularly on microcontrollers where the pain is not just in redesigning the PCB but could also be in many months of software porting to a new platform.
By embracing these strategies, manufacturers can keep product development agile and responsive to technological advances, positioning themselves for long-term success in fast-moving markets.
For further information, please visit www. bytesnap. com
10 PECM Issue 74