Why Supplier Relationships Matter (a lot)

My entire career has centered around relationships—understanding people’s needs and finding ways to fulfill them. Rapid prototype development is inherently people-centric due to the constant and fast-paced changes requiring direct communication.

 

 However, the emergence of internet-based fabrication and assembly companies in recent years has introduced a potential pitfall. Ordering online, without any direct communication, might seem efficient for quick prototypes. Yet, the story often takes a different turn. After placing an order, you may experience design changes without a chance to discuss them, leading to receiving a product that doesn’t match the evolving specifications.

 

 Sometimes, the final product arrives with missing parts and discrepancies due to pad/package size incompatibilities. Such a scenario necessitates extensive rework, adding stress and causing project delays. This situation argues strongly for establishing relationships with companies specializing in proof of concepts and prototypes. Such firms have account managers for communication and dedicated documentation departments for thorough reviews, ensuring changes during fabrication and assembly are smoothly managed. This approach prevents engineers from getting involved in rework tasks, allowing them to focus on debugging designs while leaving the assembly to skilled assemblers.

 

 While it might seem convenient to order through a website, the long-term benefits of having a relationship with a reliable assembler, fostering effective communication, and ensuring a smoother process outweigh the initial ease of online ordering.