About Author

Oliver J. Freeman, FRSA

Oliver J. Freeman, FRSA, former Editor-in-Chief of Supply Chain Digital magazine, is an author and editor who contributes content to leading publications and elite universities—including the University of Oxford and Massachusetts Institute of Technology—and ghostwrites thought leadership for well-known industry leaders in the supply chain space. Oliver focuses primarily on the intersection between supply chain management, sustainable norms and values, technological enhancement, and the evolution of Industry 4.0 and its impact on globally interconnected value chains, with a particular interest in the implication of technology supply shortages.

Recent Articles

Structuring Your Product Data is the Key to PLM Success Having a well-structured product data system is fundamental to a successful product lifecycle management (PLM) implementation. Without it, companies struggle with information silos and inconsistencies that slow down operations through errors and hindrances to collaboration. Fortunately, there are three key methods that companies can implement to achieve a successful product data structure; these include the establishment of standardized data Read Article

Achieving Design Excellence: The PLM Pathway

Achieving Design Excellence: The PLM Pathway In the PCB industry, engineers must now, more than ever, strive to achieve design excellence; it is no longer a choice but a necessity. It signifies high-performance, reliable electronics that not only meet stringent industry standards but also deliver superior functionality in a volatile market that pushes engineers to meet tightened deadlines and budgets caused by shifts and rising demand. To lessen the burden on designers and engineers Read Article

Overcoming Design Hurdles with Integrated PLM Solutions

Overcoming Design Hurdles with Integrated PLM Solutions PCB design has always been intertwined with product development, spanning into realms like mechanical design and software development as progressively more advanced products are released to market. How does the electronics design portion of a system get rolled in with the rest of the product data? The answer is integration between CAD data management systems and PLM systems. On paper, the integration of PLM with existing design tools can sound Read Article

Revolutionizing PCB Design: The Role of PLM

Revolutionizing PCB Design: The Role of PLM The increasing number of printed circuit boards needed in electronics today is pushing designers and engineers to pursue relentless miniaturization, level up performance capabilities, and shrink the development timeframe, shifting the way that PCBs are conceived and brought to life. In such a high-demand environment, traditional design tools are maxing out, which necessitates a change. To answer this need and transition the industry into a more Read Article

Teams Might Require Extensive Training to Adapt to New PLM Tools

Teams Might Require Extensive PLM Training to Adapt to New Tools Discover how to assess team needs, tailor training programs, and measure success throughout your company’s PLM adoption journey. Read Article

Integrating PLM with Existing Systems Can Be Challenging and Time-Consuming

Integrating PLM Software with Existing Systems Is Challenging Optimize PCB design efficiency with PLM software solutions. Overcome PLM software integration challenges and empower teams for innovation, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. Read Article

Centralized Data Management Minimizes Chances of Design Errors and Redundancies

Centralized Data Management Minimizes Chances of Design Errors and Redundancies Find out how centralized data management enhances collaboration, reduces errors, and optimizes production efficiency in PCB manufacturing. Read Article

Improved Compliance: Easier Tracking of Regulatory Requirements and Standards

PLM Improves Regulatory Compliance: Easier Tracking of Requirements and Standards Explore product lifecycle management’s (PLM) influence on regulatory requirements and compliance in the PCB manufacturing industry. Read Article

PLM Ensures All Design Documentation is Consistent Across Platforms

PLM Ensures All Design Documentation is Consistent Across Platforms Consistent documentation is a foundational block in a product’s life cycle; how does PCB design PLM help to ensure its continuity at all stages? Read Article

Should Buyers Recommend Alternative Parts to Engineers?

Should Buyers Recommend Alternative Parts to Engineers? Given the extensive supply chain disruptions that we’ve witnessed across the last few years, ranging from conflicts in Europe and the Middle East to the Suez Canal blockage and droughts in Taiwan to the global pandemic and evolving environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards, access to specific electronic components was strained significantly. Currently, inventories with distributors have returned to a state of excess , but the cyclical Read Article

Electronics Preferred Vendor Relationships

How Companies Build Their Preferred Vendor Relationships Explore strategies for building preferred vendor relationships that foster trust and adaptability in today’s globally interconnected business landscape. Read Article

Allocation in the Semiconductor Industry

What Is Allocation in the Semiconductor Industry? From silicon to supply chain: In this article, I’ll give you a better understanding of allocation in the semiconductor industry. Read Article