Author Archive
Smart Grid Funds
Posted by: | CommentsBetter times are ahead for technology companies offering cutting edge products to utility companies. According to research company IDC Energy Insights, in the current year alone, total spending related to the smart grid will exceed $10.75 Billion, up 40% from last year. Items to be manufactured would be communication modules, home thermostats, power transmission and energy storage products. Coupled with increased consumer visibility and the demand for in-house displays, manufacturing companies will be scrambling to fill shortages of semiconductors, LCD panels and related products.
In the state of California there exists a number of tax credits for homeowners to upgrade and/or use alternative methods to energize their home. Our hope is that this growth and incentive remains on the upswing as it is good for business and our economy, not to mention the overall health of our environment.
Midsize Companies Growing Target of Cybercriminals
Posted by: | CommentsAccording to a recent study conducted on behalf of McAfee, more than half of the midsize businesses surveyed stated they had experienced an increase in security breaches over the past twelve months. McAfee arranged for a study of 900 midsize companies covering the countries of the United States, United Kingdom, China, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, India and Spain to determine not only the frequency of breaches but also the companies’ investment perspective toward prevention.
McAfee’s report, The Security Paradox, continues on to point out that even though there has been a significant increase in cyber attacks, a number of companies have either frozen or cut back on costs related to IT budgets. According to McAfee, almost 40 percent of the companies trimming their IT security budget plan to limit the purchase of new security products. And more than a third are switching to cheaper security software to cut expenses, even though they realize that may put them at greater risk.
While many companies carry a higher level of concern and awareness about increasing cyber threats, the pressure on budgets and resources has served as a disincentive for continued investment. Unfortunately, this creates a vicious cycle of breach and repair that costs far more than prevention. In McAfee’s report, they proceed to explain that the cost of dealing with a security attack far outweighs the cost of prevention in the first place. Based on the survey, over the past twelve months, one in five of the companies surveyed lost $41,000 in sales, on average, as a result of a breach. McAfee’s research shows that organizations that put more effort on preventing attacks can end up spending less than a third as much as those that allow themselves to be at risk.
Another interesting perspective common in midsize companies is the belief they are less prone to risk from cyber attacks than larger companies. Over ninety percent of the companies surveyed with an employee base of 500 or fewer felt they are protected from cybercriminals and believe they face a greatly diminished risk than do larger companies. But, as the report goes on to state, companies of this employment range averaged about 1.6 times the number of cyber attacks at companies with an employment level of 501 to 1,000.
While not addressed in the report, it is important to point out that regardless of how proactive a company is with regard to its IT security, that is simply a beginning point to a company’s overall exposure. If a company’s suppliers become disrupted due to a cyber attack, it have can long reaching impact on the company’s image and profitability. For example, failure of a supplier to deliver needed components for a production run due to disruption of its operating system can create delays in the company’s production and result in late deliveries possibly carrying substantial penalties; not to mention the long-term damage to a company’s reputation and performance rating. When such an event occurs, the company finds itself in a critical shortage situation for needed electronic components and must reach out to alternative sources to fill its production requirements; usually at a greater unit cost than budgeted.
It’s obvious that the focus on cyber attacks continues to be a major concern to everyone. While pressure on budgets continues, it is critical that companies not forfeit the protection needed to insure the necessary level of protection. It may be an issue companies need to raise not only within its own operation but with its key suppliers also.
Hospitals Going High-Tech
Posted by: | CommentsHow about a new term for your doctor – Tele-Intensivist. This is a doctor that can monitor critically ill patients from a remote site employing the latest in technology; even allowing the doctor to speak with the patient while visually interacting through video monitors. With the improvement of technology and the increased dependability of electronic components and equipment, doctors can greatly increase their oversight of a larger number of patients without the restrictions of time and geography.
And technology is becoming prevalent well outside of the critical care arena. In areas such as supply cabinets with biometric thumbprint readings, websites where patients can view test results, computerized record keeping and 3D imaging, high-tech products are integrating into the medical community as a whole while creating efficiencies necessary to assist in controlling medical costs for all. Additionally, high-tech equipment is creating a much safer environment for patients. The equipment leads to a quicker diagnosis, shorter hospital stay and helps to limit complications. In fact, an American Hospital Association survey found that at the nation’s 100 most wired facilities, risk-adjusted death rates were over 7 percent lower, on average, than at other hospitals. To further protect patients, healthcare facilities are moving to a “closed-loop” system with built in safeguards at each step of the prescribing process. When doctors enter orders on the system, the computer checks for allergies or drug interactions and confirm the proper dosage. Then, when the prescription is transmitted to the pharmacist, the safety checks are repeated and an electronic “stamp of approval” is issued. Drugs are stored in locked dispensing cabinets and the only drawer that opens is the one specifically holding the patient’s medication. When picked up, the nurse will then scan the medication’s barcode and match it to the patient’s wristband. Utilizing such a system has dropped error rate to less than one percent and allows for quicker treatment of critically ill patients.
With the recent emphasis for the medical industry to upgrade its record keeping systems to electronic formats and the growing use of remote analysis of patients’ tests results, it appears as if the medical field will continue to create a growing demand for equipment utilizing all sorts of electronic components, monitors and related hardware. There is no question as the medical industry’s demand for high tech environments and equipment ramps up, there will be a significant number of critical shortages and electronic component requirements that will need to be address by companies looking to meet future production schedules.
On the Hot Seat – Component Shortage Buyers
Posted by: | CommentsCan you feel it coming on? Remember the last time we rebounded from a down-turn in the electronics industry. All of a sudden, companies around the world had desperate needs for all sorts of components and nowhere to turn. Well, with OEM Executives’ ongoing caution of the recovery and still unsure of its customers’ demands, material orders appear to be below the aggregate demand needed. With recent capacity reduction implemented in key component areas limiting the ability of some suppliers to respond to the modest increase in demand, any incremental increase in demand may result in significant supply issues.
And, as reported in CCS, some component delivery times will greatly exceed previous levels. The components expected to be most impacted are: CMOS Logic, FLASH-Memories, Interface ICs, Suppressor Diodes, Al Electrolytic Capacitors-SMD, Ceramic Capacitors-SMD, Film Capacitors-EMI suppressed, Resistors-NLR, Tantalum Capacitors-wired, Film Capacitors-wired, and Switches- (Toggle / Slide)
We all know that being an electronic component buyer is difficult enough. But, when it comes down to solving shortage issues, it appears as if the world just became a tougher place and looks to remain that way for quite some time. While component shortages represent a very small portion of a company’s overall component budget, it tends to consume a significantly large portion of a buyer’s time. According to COMPONENTSResearch, solving shortage needs may take up to 40% of a buyer’s time.
With the present and looming shortages that many are surely going to face in the near future, now is the time to establish relationships with companies that have both the history and the capability of solving your shortage issues. While you may not need their services today, when the time comes that you must have those missing components on your dock immediately, it’s great to know that you have prepared for that eventuality.
Great News for American Manufacturing
Posted by: | CommentsPresident Obama has appointed Ron Bloom as the White House Senior Counselor for Manufacturing Policy. Mr. Bloom is well known to be a strong advocate for the retention and further development of what has historically been a key element to this country’s success – our strong manufacturing know-how and base. His feeling is that we need to quit simply “jaw-boning” about retaining onshore manufacturing capabilities and start taking positive actions to maintain this valuable asset of American enterprise.
And, this is a man who actually walks the walk. After working for Lazard Freres and then starting his own investment firm specializing in restructuring North American manufacturing companies, Bloom walked away from his firm in a renewed effort to support U.S. manufacturing. He has spent the last decade working as a special assistant to Leo Gerard, the President of the United Steelworkers. As Gerard stated, “He walked away from investment banking because of his values and commitment to manufacturing…..He really believes that you can’t have a successful economy unless you have a strong manufacturing sector.”
Of equal value is Bloom’s personal history in assisting in the restructuring of over 50 companies. This has provided him with invaluable insight into what it takes for a manufacturing firm to be successful; real world experience at a time when it carries the greatest of premiums. Robert Baugh, executive director of the AFL-CIO Industrial Union Council stated that he felt the appointment of Ron Bloom to the position of Senior Counselor for Manufacturing Policy is “the best thing that could have happened for manufacturing.”
It’s great to know that we finally have a strong advocate for American Manufacturing with access to the President. Perhaps now, we will start to see positive actions out of Washington to insure the continued presence, success and growth of manufacturing enterprises within our borders along with the employment that such growth promises.
Move Over iPhone, The Cliq is Here
Posted by: | CommentsMove over Iphone, Motorola has done it again and postured well to gain the kids’ attention this holiday season. Have you seen Motorola’s new cell phone device? We haven’t seen anything this cool out of them since the ever so popular Razr, which basically redefined and set a whole standard for the market a few years back. The new device is called “the Cliq’ and hosts a number of power features such as a 5megapixel camera ( iphone is only 3 mega pixels), social networking software allowing ease of use of facebook and email accounts, as well showing friends “status’ on the home screen.
The Cliq, which Motorola unveiled in September, uses Google Inc’s “Android” software – modern, well written operating software that allows many people to do many different things with their phones. Motorola plans to unveil a second Android phone sometime in October. It will also be available for the holidays.
There are thousands of apps already available for Android software. The phone offers a host of distinctive features that truly set it apart from the IPhone and Blackberry.
Jim Kelleher, an analyst at Argus Research, says “ the Cliq may be Motorola’s best stab at the smart phone market thus far. I think for Motorola to retain its tech edge and reputation for engineering, it really has to hit a home run — not necessary with this particular phone, but with its phones in the coming year, including this one.”
Outside the U.S., the Cliq will be known as the Dext. It will be available through wireless carrier Orange in the U.K. and France, Telefonica in Spain and America Movil in South America.
Good Job Motorola, we would expect nothing less from such a superior organization that defines todays technology trends in PDA and cellular devices.
How to Avoid Component Shortage Nightmares
Posted by: | CommentsShortages happen, and there’s nothing more stressful than tracking down the right component with a gun to your head. You need it now. You need it to be right – not a fake, a refurb, or something that’s ‘almost’ right. And you need to know you’re not paying way too much because the supplier or broker knows you need it now.
The key to avoiding the pitfalls of component shortage nightmares is to do your homework before the shortage hits the fan.
Start by researching your suppliers to find out who you can trust and who can deliver – not just for routine purchases, but in shortage situations. Knowing who has been reliable in the past can give you a go-to list for future shortages.
Next, do some research on the secondary market to speed up your search when components get scarce. Often, a shortage means a frantic website search which reveals plenty of people advertising the part you need. But most want you to call for pricing and availability. They may tell you it’s in another time zone, or in an overseas warehouse, while they buy time to track it down. Before you know it, you’ve lost a day or more and still don’t have full and accurate information. You can call on brokers to find the part, hoping to get it faster. But the more desperate you are, the more likely the broker will open with a high price and negotiate up from there.
Finally, make sure you – and the suppliers you’re researching – know all the angles, from alternate parts options and packaging requirements to customs fees and regulations. There’s nothing worse than thinking you’ve solved a shortage problem only to find out that the shipment has been held up at port.
With today’s tight requirement windows and high-speed global supply chains, it’s important to prepare ahead. Finding out NOW who you can trust to locate the part you need quickly and accurately, then follow through from warehouse to delivery, can take a whole lot of stress out of your shortage situations.
Welcome to the Bluefin Blog!
Posted by: | CommentsThis is the site for the latest industry news, timely technology component updates, and valuable tips from our experts on sourcing, procurement, and business strategy. But it’s more than that. We want the Bluefin Blog to be an interactive forum where people from across the industry can post comments, share insights and get fast, reliable and relevant information. When we have news you can use, we’ll share it here. And we’ll let you contribute to the conversation, too.
We’ve got a lot of folks at Bluefin ready to share their thoughts, discoveries, and some really creative solutions. Here are some of the people you’ll be hearing from, starting with myself:
David Scribner: Chief of Quality and Operations
David has been in the Supply Chain Management arena for more than a decade. His service within the U.S Army’s Intelligence Branch helped develop an attention to detail, a positive attitude and an ability to build systems with superior accuracy and efficiency that has earned him a national reputation. Over the years, he has given multiple TV and radio interviews, sharing his insights on Global Business Strategy. David heads up our quality systems and oversees the entire AS9120 SAE ISO 9001:2000 certified process.
Travis Thoman: VP Aerospace/Military Supply
Travis’ expertise stems from his service in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Nebraska 739, a Trident Submarine. During multiple tours, Travis performed duties in supply, quality assurance, and maintenance for the ship’s mechanical systems. It takes team work and a critical sense of urgency to keep a naval vessel humming at operational perfection, and Travis carries those skills into his work as the lead of all Military and Aerospace material fulfillment at Bluefin. After his military service he worked in technical sales and purchasing for the Allegheny York Company, a manufacturer, and Parker Hannifin distributor, where he traveled around the United States and South Africa helping clients solve technical issues. In 2001, he launched his own consulting firm, which he sold when he joined Bluefin. As a member of our team, he has helped take the entire Military/Aerospace materials campaign within our company to a whole new level. His goals are simple: “to establish and grow a successful client and vendor base that becomes the premier source for attaining hard to find hardware and components in the industry.”
Jeff Smith: Senior Procurement Specialist
Jeff comes to Bluefin with over 10 years of sales and customer service experience across several industries including corporate payroll and pharmaceuticals. His favorite part of working at Bluefin is “the opportunity to work so closely with my clients.” In his spare time, Jeff enjoys spending time with his 4 year old daughter.
Christine Lutheran: VP Procurement
Christine is second to none when it comes to tracking down hard-to-find and obsolete material. She taught high school for a few years in Cocoa Beach, Fla. before making a career selling milspec/aerospace materials. We’re glad she made the switch! A decade later, she holds a host of Fortune 500 clients, who rely on her to find materials that cannot be sourced elsewhere. When lines go down, Christine has a reputation for saving the day. She currently heads up our purchasing initiative from York , PA.
Tiffany Solano
Tiffany Solano has been on the Bluefin team for the past 6 years. She started in our warehouse and quality department and has consistently moved from position to position within our system. Tiff has worked along side purchasing, data entry, customer service and expediting, before finally landing in OEM Sales where she currently handles 2 dozen active accounts.
