Global supply issues: how to avoid unnecessary costs for your industrial PCs

Is your company suffering unforeseen costs due to a lack of delivery of your industrial PCs for your production line? Or has your supplier suddenly increased their price due to rising material costs? Discover how Microtron strives to minimize these consequences.

What is the root of the problem?

The Covid crisis exposed the vulnerability of the global supply chain system. The lockdowns and quarantines imposed to limit the spread of the virus led to a drastic decrease in or even temporary halt of production and mining of essential resources. In addition, it was not simple to transport the resources that were available to the right location, as many countries closed their borders.

When the restrictions were being gradually lifted and the economy started up again, the demand for resources suddenly experienced a high peak. The existing buffer stocks were soon exhausted. The shortages exist to this day as the production of essential resources is still climbing back up to speed due to the existing Covid measures.

This shortage in resources in turn leads to a shortage in microchips, the basic components for all industrial computers.

How does this affect industrial computers? Which components are currently difficult to obtain?

Not all components of industrial computers are difficult to obtain, but we are experiencing a shortage for some crucial components. CPUs or central processing units, for example. These form the heart of the PC and are essential for putting one together. LAN and audio chips are scarce, although these can sometimes be substituted by an alternative. There are also long lead times for connectors, as manufacturers cannot keep up with demand.

The situation is especially pressing for custom components. These do not benefit from large-scale production like the standard products that are also offered on the consumer market. Resource suppliers often prioritize large orders of a scope that smaller players cannot realize.

Established players can get ahead

We work exclusively with manufacturers of components who are established players in their industry. Their reputation makes it easier to obtain the required resources compared to newer and lesser-known players on the market.

Naturally, this also applies to distributors with an extensive and reputable track record. They have spent years building a deep bond of trust with their suppliers and can demand priority in delivery now and then.

In addition, they also work with various suppliers with varying delivery times, allowing them to pick the party with the fastest lead time.

Good agreements make for good friendships

When negotiating, try to make clear agreements on what happens if the price of resources skyrocket. A distributor keeps an eye on the price for you and will always try to use their reputation to avoid or limit price increases or to look for alternatives when necessary. Transparency is of the essence in this: they should always inform their clients of developments to prevent any unpleasant surprises.

Finally, good distributors will always ensure a larger buffer supply of certain key products. If suppliers can deliver more than initially ordered, they are happy to accept that opportunity. This allows them to keep the most common industrial PCs available from stock.

Reasonable timeframes are key to a good collaboration

We absolutely recommend that you order on time: having enough time allows us to ensure a smooth process for getting the order to your business in time.

It gives the suppliers of our suppliers, and perhaps even their suppliers, the time to produce and deliver all the required components. The largest issues occur mostly with ad hoc orders.

Are you experiencing issues in having your industrial PCs delivered in time?

Microtron works with various key suppliers in the industry. We look for the supplier that can deliver the soonest. We can also offer alternative configurations if they are available for faster delivery. We continuously monitor the price and always stand up for our clients when needed.

Are you also experiencing issues in the delivery of your industrial computers? Contact us for a non-binding consultation!