Using ECAD Software to Track Part Availability During PCB Design

It comes as no surprise that artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI (GenAI) demand electronic components that can handle higher compute power. Moreover, Max Blanchet at Accenture states: “Leaders are investing heavily in increasingly sophisticated technologies to build the next generation of supply chain capabilities”. And he is not wrong, because companies can now leverage traditional electronic computer-aided design (ECAD) for important supply chain and procurement functions.

Engineers and procurement will soon realize and act upon their lack of collaborative, integrated CAD in order to reap the inherent benefits. Gone are the days when CAD was just a tool for building products as it can now be used to manage activities on a global supply chain scale. 

With this article, you will:

• Recognize the core issues with siloed data and poor communication methods among electrical engineers, mechanical engineers, and procurement teams. 
• Understand how ECAD software integrations can improve data sharing among departments. 
• Learn the fundamental functions to look for in CAD-integrated supply chain solutions. 

The Problems in Conventional Parts Sourcing

Conventional parts availability practices suffer from siloed work and piecemeal accountability. CAD tools were originally built for designers alone, and only recently have organizations begun to see the value of systems that also serve procurement and other supply-chain-related functions. 

For years, information has been poorly translated across teams, managed through spreadsheets and ad-hoc documents. While once useful, spreadsheets quickly become outdated and are rarely reused across designs. Component data is trapped in isolated spreadsheets or disparate systems, errors and delays are common, making it harder for engineers and procurement teams to respond to shortages or navigate obsolescence. 

As companies spend time manually sourcing alternative parts, the following frustrations arise: 

• Alternate parts discovery is a reactive procedure. When a problem occurs (a part is out of stock or becomes obsolete) is when procurement teams spring into action. 
• Production may be waiting. Sourcing sometimes has to occur in mid-assembly. In the time it takes to manually source new parts to requirements, production schedules get repeatedly pushed back.

How ECAD Software Helps

ECAD software alone is not the remedy for every supply chain challenge, but it plays a vital role in closing the gap between engineering and procurement teams. By embedding up-to-date supply chain data (such as parts availability) directly into the design environment, engineers and buyers can work from a common source of truth as opposed to relying on disconnected spreadsheets and manual inputs that are instantly outdated. 

This is where more recent developments in CAD have allowed both parties to enjoy greater visibility of the others’ pain points, and aid them in fixing long-term recurring problems. CAD is now capable of doing just that.

Benefits of ECAD Integration for Engineers

Electrical and mechanical engineers still struggle to speak the same language. However, the need may be filled using ECAD-MCAD collaboration that incorporates enclosure designs into the electrical layouts.

In order to fully reap the benefits of ECAD, electrical engineers (EEs) can benefit from improved supply chain functions. Altium Develop is a prime example of a solution that brings sourcing into the design environment.

How effective an ECAD solution is depends on the ways it incorporates parts availability data, price comparisons, and obsolescence controls and alerts. Knowing more about the parts landscape gives engineers the power to quickly respond to disruptions, and design products to support a number of stand-in parts.

• Engineers Become Invested: Incorporating supply chain insights into software that engineers use naturally makes it much easier for them to access data and develop strategies based on availability and risk insights. 
• EEs Understand Procurement Better: It is entirely possible for EEs to educate themselves on procurement with a solution that enables faster and more reliable parts availability information. Moreover, the learning process takes fewer man-hours away from procurement experts. 
• EEs Can Focus on Mechanical Collaboration: Electrical and mechanical teams suffer silos of their own, and simplifying ongoing sourcing activities frees up space to focus on their relationship. 

Benefits of ECAD Integration for Procurement

The procurement function has largely been distant from electrical engineering. Historically, the two departments have seldom collaborated effectively, which may have been the single cause of many company-wide issues.

ECAD insights have largely supported the development of their relationship, and will continue to aid their combined efforts to design products that are lean in time and cost. Not only collaboration, but reinventing the way businesses use their bills of materials (BOMs) has a huge impact as communications are built between teams through a greater understanding of multi-level BOMs within the context of CAD.

• Greater Input from Procurement: Inherently, both EEs and procurement teams bring their own concerns to the table. Bringing procurement data into their ECAD design software allows them to not only gain a clearer view of proceedings, but also build a more profound understanding of their neighboring departments.
• Curb the Use of Endless Spreadsheets: The blight of many organizations is the constant stream of spreadsheets required, only to achieve sub-par data management. While procurement leaders could adopt their own systems to manage this information, they need not compile data that is readily available. Also, the same issues may still occur among siloed teams if they operate their own distinct systems.
• Avoid Delays: One of the most common problems with design or rework is the need to expel resources to find parts while also maintaining the rate of progress. For example, in 2021 the global semiconductor shortage hit the automotive industry with over US$210 billion of revenue losses. It is an essential step for procurement to access regular insights from design to ensure they can collectively maintain product timelines.

Incorporate ECAD into Procurement Activities

ECAD software that integrates supply chain intelligence acts as a tool for both engineers and procurement to move beyond siloed responsibilities. The shift from spreadsheets to live data is an action to be coordinated between both teams. By integrating availability data into ECAD, both parties are able to cross-reference their actions to ensure everything they do works in their partners’ interests.

Here are some of the things to look for in a CAD software: 

• The Latest Availability Insights: Direct feeds from distributors that show the stock levels, lead times, and minimum order quantities. 
• Obsolescence Alerts: Knowledge of when components are set to go bad can be achieved with automated end-of-life notifications. 
• Shared BOM Management: Centralized and version-controlled BOMs that update instantly when engineers make changes in the design environment. 
• Price Transparency (Supplier Integration): Connections with approved vendor lists (AVLs) and preferred contracts as well as pricing update on demand.
• Cross-References and Alternatives: Built-in support for second-source or equivalent components in order to reduce risk.
• Regulatory Compliance: Automated checks for RoHS, REACH, EAR99, or industry-specific certifications. 

Whether you need to build reliable power electronics or advanced digital systems, Altium Develop unites every discipline into one collaborative force. Free from silos. Free from limits. It’s where engineers, designers, and innovators work together as one to create without constraints. Experience Altium Develop today!