ATLANTA – ECIA is convening experts to help modernize the component distribution channel’s design registration process. The trade group is assembling a group of subject matter experts and industry stakeholders representing the authorized component channel to include semiconductors, electromechanical/interconnect and passives, and will develop a multiphase initiative to assess the current state and what the future state might look like.

“The initiative was proposed by ECIA’s Manufacturers’ Council,” said Don Elario, vice president of industry practices, ECIA. “It will bring representatives from all the component technology sectors together. In addition to participation from each of the three ECIA councils, there is representation from GEDA (Global Electronics Distribution Association) and ERA (Electronics Representatives Association). This is a longstanding process in the industry, and modernization is a likely next step.”

The first phase on the design registration project launched June 18 and will assess what works and what doesn’t work with the current process in all three technology areas. This will be accomplished through an anonymous, collective sampling of surveys and interviews with the key stakeholders. The deliverable from this phase will be a best practice document revealing the results of this fact-finding activity. A possible second phase will be ideas for a future state to modernize the process using new and/or current technologies available.

“ERA is delighted to join representatives of ECIA and GEDA in this industry-wide initiative. We will be sharing the results of our own DREG study that was presented at our 2018 ERA Conference that may help in framing this initiative. Most manufacturers’ DREG programs rely on their reps to review and approve the registration. Thus, the reps are a key piece of any DREG program,” said Walter Tobin, ERA’s CEO.

“Component manufacturers understand the value of authorized distribution in supporting their customers’ design efforts, who invest time, resources, and capital to educate customers on manufacturers’ products.  Manufacturers utilize design registration to help compensate distributors for those investments,” said David Loftus, ECIA’s CEO and president. “The industry has the opportunity to modernize the process. No single component manufacturer can do this. It must be an industry-level initiative to drive industry improvements that benefit customers and the entire supply chain. ECIA’s goal is to bring the channel together and find solutions to the challenges we all face today.”

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