The invention of the mariner’s compass revolutionized navigation, making it possible for ships to venture into uncharted territories while exploring the world’s oceans and seas with greater confidence.

Just as maritime captains sought to discover new lands, the process of onboarding a new business partner requires the right tools to ensure you reach your intended destination.

A well-defined and established electronics onboarding process acts as a compass or guide to determine whether an OEM and contract manufacturer (CM) are a good fit. The onboarding journey is critical to ensuring your project arrives safely into harbor rather than stranded on the rocks.

Steps in the contract manufacturing onboarding process

  • Initial qualification

    Similar to plotting your navigation, the first step in your contract manufacturing voyage is to find the right pathways to get your product to market.

    Each project has unique nuances and requirements – from custom printed circuit board assemblies to turnkey box builds. The initial qualification stage helps both the OEM and CM evaluate whether a new business relationship is the right fit.

    Whether a new product introduction (NPI), contract manufacturing transfer, or supply chain diversification, OEMs typically have a new vendor analysis process to identify partners with the desired combination of expertise, capabilities, and price point.

    Similarly, an experienced CM will mutually qualify the OEM’s project at hand using a defined, step-by-step discovery process to ensure it can effectively manage its complexity, volume, capacity, and growth requirements.

    Initial qualification provides both parties with key indicators for success and is required to move to the next phase of onboarding – quotation.

  • Quotation stage

    Some OEMs will request a rough order of magnitude quote based on its known BOM parts cost, current, and projected volume.

    Progressive discovery is required to ensure an accurate, formal quotation. Like knowing what cargo will be on the ship, the CM will need more data to ensure it has all the necessary provisions onboard. This could include a detailed bill of materials (BOM), PCB design files, testing protocols, quality certifications, regulatory compliance requirements, and even packaging.

    Providing the contract manufacturer with this detailed information ensures they can accurately assess the project’s scope, estimate the required resources, and calculate the costs of manufacturing the product. It’s important for the OEM and CM to communicate openly and collaborate throughout the quoting process to ensure a successful and efficient partnership.

  • Prototyping and DFM

    Once the quote is accepted and an order is placed, the contract manufacturer can work on creating the prototypes. Prototyping is required for every product – whether NPI or existing – to make sure the OEM’s documentation package is up-to-date and the product can be assembled as designed.

    At this stage, the CM can integrate design for manufacturing (DFM) principles into the onboarding process. DFM ensures best practices for component lifecycle management, layout, assembly, traceability, and improved yield and performance.

    Test fixtures are needed at this stage, as well. OEMs with existing test fixtures will provide them to the CM. If a test fixture is needed, a quality contract manufacturer will work closely with the OEM’s design engineers to design and develop an ICT or FCT test fixture. The level of testing equipment required is typically based on volume, complexity, and timeframe.

    First Article Inspection (FAI), testing, validation, and assembly instructions are all completed during the prototyping phase. This prepares the final product for faster and more efficient transfer to production. Prototyping is akin to weighing anchor and setting sail on your production voyage.

  • Full Production

    Getting your electronics assembly to production quickly is the number one goal. Your product is better positioned to scale when a detailed onboarding process is followed. Parts acquisition begins, work orders are issued, and scheduling occurs. Leveraging a knowledgeable CM with expertise in onboarding is like hiring a vigilant captain to get your product to its final destination.

Make sure you’re headed in the right direction

The right choice of an electronics contract manufacturer ensures your products get to market in a predictable timeframe, meet all quality and regulatory standards, and perform to specifications.

CO-AX Technology institutes a comprehensive onboarding process for each customer that moves beyond an initial inquiry. Our extensive design engineering assistance, dedicated prototyping capabilities, DFM proficiency, supply chain management expertise, and scalable production allow us to deliver the highest quality products on time and within budget. Our crew is committed to transparency and accountability in all we do – helping you chart a course to success.

Contact us today to get started.