Ultimate Guide to Outsourcing Your Industrial Electronics to an ECM

The benefits of outsourcing are numerous. Partnering with an ECM gives you access to equipment, expertise, and knowledge to take your emerging project to the next level, as well as completing the job as quickly and efficiently as possible. However, you must consider if the reward outweighs the risks.

There is some uncertainty that comes with outsourcing. After all, you are turning over control of your project. If something goes wrong, it’s your reputation. That is why it is important to choose the ECM that is the right fit for you. The best design and/or manufacturing partner will have all of the right tools and procedures in place right from the start.

An Extension of Your Team

Outsourcing is like adding a team of experts to your current workforce. You immediately gain all of their industry experience, vetted network of suppliers, and knowledge. Partnering with an electronic contract manufacturer (ECM) gives you access to experts that will be able to fully flush out your project from design to prototype and on to full assembly. You should form a close working partnership with your ECM so that you can be confident that only the best decisions are being made for your project.

Your Goal is Their Goal

You must be confident your ECM has your best interest front and center. They should be dedicated to your project and not shove you aside if and/or when another job comes alone. You need to feel you can rely on your ECM 100-percent. The right manufacturing partner will keep you updated along every step of the development and manufacturing process.

Cost Control

Outsourcing can get your project developed and save money at the same time. Your ECM will already have equipment and staff on hand. This means you won’t need to invest in additional infrastructure and personnel. You also gain your manufacturing partner’s access to better rates on supplies from their existing vendors.  Plus, not only will outsourcing keep your costs in check, but it will free you up so you can focus your attention elsewhere (like networking and expanding your sales.)

Industry Certifications

You need to know your manufacturing partner can meet your needs and handle your project. Find an ECM that has certifications relative to your industry, has a wide array of industries they work with, and one that is capable of meeting your unique manufacturing needs.

Certifications to look for include:

• ISO 9001 – The most widely recognized quality certification that demonstrates statutory and regulatory requirements and customer satisfaction.
• AS9100 – An aerospace quality management system considered a “highly stringent” quality standard.
• ITAR – International Traffic in Arms Regulations certification from the US Department of State controls the import and export of sensitive defense-related materials and information.
• IPC and J Standards – These are electronic workmanship certifications for soldering cables and circuit board assemblies.

A company with any of these certifications indicates a company’s commitment to quality and excellence.

On-Site Engineers

Outsourcing your project to an ECM with engineer’s in-house comes with even more advantages. It ensures your project is overseen by project managers who know your project. Design engineers on-site bring optimizing and reverse engineering capabilities. In addition, they are available for troubleshooting on the fly if issues do arise. They can also streamline to cut costs and make your design better by improving the function.

Let Levison Work for You

Outsourcing to Levison Enterprises means you are partnering with an ECM ready, willing, and able to take your project to the next level. We are your one-stop-shop for electronic design and assembly manufacturing.

Levison Enterprise is AS91100C certified, ISO 9001 certified, IPC and J Standard certified, and U.S. SBA certified, as well as ITAR registered.  We have the experience and knowledge to help you build your next product.

Start Your Quote Now!

Let Levison work with you to develop and deliver the highest quality product to take to market. Contact Levison Enterprises today to see how our team can work for you.