2015/10/01Japan、Africa、Asia、Europe、Middle East、North America、Oceania、Latin America
If you have been following our display technology blog series, you already know the importance of understanding common touch technologies and documenting your display requirements before you begin your search for a supplier. Only after you have clearly defined your requirements are you ready to take that next step. As you begin your search, beware of the following common pitfalls when sourcing custom display technology. While they may not seem important early on, they can have big repercussions down the road.
Most software is designed around a specific aspect ratio (ex. 800x600, 1280x1024, 1366x768 or 1920x1080). If your product includes custom software, it is important to consider the resolution of the program and how it will impact your display selection. Ideally, your program will be written to support a common resolution which is expected to remain readily available from multiple manufacturers. Some LCD resolutions are only supported by Commercial-off-the-Shelf (COTS) manufacturers who specialize in the laptop/tablet market. You can end up in a bind quickly if they go end-of-life (EOL) without warning.
The addition of one or two seemingly small features can turn a simple solution into a completely custom ODM platform. While your supplier may be able to accommodate your request, your cost could increase dramatically. Examples include:
You can prevent design creep by working closely with your supplier. Openly discuss any design requests that may be transitioning your product from a modified platform-based solution to a fully custom build.
If you need your product to be supported for several years, make sure you get a clear statement of life cycle from your supplier and their supplier(s). Resellers often consider a product is “long life” if it has been available for 1 or 2 years. Unfortunately, there is a flaw in that logic. The length of time a display has been on the market is not an indicator of how long it will remain available. It is always helpful for all parties if you can clearly define these requirements up front.
Selecting the best display supplier or manufacturer is no small task. If you do not have experience in the industry or your timeline is tight it can be tempting to collect a few quotes and pick the supplier with the lowest bid. Don’t fall into this trap! It is essential to the ongoing success of your project that you find a partner you can trust. Do not work with any manufacturer until you have audited their facility. You need to see their manufacturing facility and understand their process and quality controls. Request copies of their ISO certificates, last ISO audit results, key component specifications, proof of product quality documents, references, etc. Do not be afraid to insist on these; a high quality manufacturer will be more than willing to accommodate.
The unit price on a custom display quotation is based on three factors:
Do not confuse EAU and MOQ. The EAU represents the annual volume which is used to estimate the number of production cycles. The MOQ is the minimum number of units you must commit to purchase in a single order. MOQs are typically divided into separate “shipment releases” over a specific period of time. The higher the MOQ and Shipment Release Quantity, the lower your unit cost should be.
Production Lead Time reflects the time your supplier requires to plan, produce, test, pick, pack and prepare your product for shipment. Most custom display suppliers start the clock after receipt of order (ARO). It is important to remember that this lead time does NOT include the transportation time during shipment from the supplier to you. If you are an American customer receiving products from an Asian supplier you must allot 4 – 8 weeks in transportation time. The timeframe varies depending on the method of freight and the number of stops along the way. To avoid last minute insanity, I recommend you always overestimate your transit time.
The list above highlights some of the common challenges you may face when sourcing a custom display solution. Unfortunately, there are many more. You can optimize your chances of success by taking the time upfront to find the right partner and along the way make sure to verify.
The good news is you are not alone. Whether you are embarking on a new display project or trying to improve an existing one, don’t hesitate to reach out to me and the expert team at Contec for afree consultation. We have been providing OEM displays for over 24 years and are happy to provide guidance as you chart your course.
Stay tuned to my blog for more tips and tricks on sourcing the best display solution.
Written By: Harley Firth, Director of Display Solutions
About the Author: Harley is a 16-year veteran of the display industry. During his career he has held positions ranging from sales and business development to product marketing and executive management. This extensive experience provides a unique perspective to help clients grow their business and meet the constantly changing needs of today's display customer. Harley has particular expertise in the Healthcare Industry and specializes in diagnostic, clinical and medical grade HMI displays.
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