Nuts & Volts - January 2005

suppliers. The following analogy puts these ideas into perspective:

The Internet is like a new interstate highway, where traffic passes by on a continual basis. The goal for companies is to make that flowing traffic stop and buy. Websites and Internet strategies provide the roadside storefronts and exit ramps from which these goals can be achieved.

What Does This Mean for the Future of Circuit Board Production?

Circuit board suppliers will continually streamline processes to drive down costs. Suppliers should hone in on the manufacturing capabilities they do best and streamline those processes. This will continue to drive down prices, while maintaining quality levels.

The Internet provides a level playing field for smaller board shops to compete with larger ones. Smaller board shops will focus on more concentrated product offerings, based on limited manufacturing capabilities. As more circuit board suppliers — both large and small — adopt online strategies, distinct product offering and categories will begin to emerge.

Consumers will have a greater variety of choice and options. As a result, consumers may not remain loyal as comparison shopping becomes much easier. Consumers will be able to first sort through what services they need and then compare between suppliers who offer the specific services or specifications required.

Finally, will this online evolution bring about the elimination of traditional face-to-face customer service? Not at all, since there will always be consumers who prefer human interaction. Offline interaction will decrease, but it will evolve into more of a complimentary method for ordering when problems and questions arise that cannot be accommodated through the online buying process.

However, consumers will continue to increase their use of online purchasing as long as the buying experience remains beneficial, providing lower cost products and processes while remaining easier, faster, and hassle-free. NV

About the Author

Robert Schnyder is the Marketing Manager for he Circuit Board Division of ECD, Inc. He can be reached at robert.schnyder@ecd.com For circuit board designs, the company offers three options to consumers: PCBexpress.com provides low cost, prototype pricing with set parameters and product features. PCBpro.com was created to provide more flexibility by allowing consumers to generate online quotes based on a variety of options and purchase boards online. PCB123.com is free design software that provides schematic and layout design functionality.

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