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Alternative parts and BOM engineering review
When the original part is gone, too slow or too expensive, we list candidate alternatives with every parameter that differs. Your engineers make the decision; nothing changes without written approval.
- Drop-in, pin-compatible and functional candidates kept apart
- Differences listed parameter by parameter
- Free initial guidance; detailed review scope agreed separately
Three levels of match
Same function, package, pinout and ratings that meet or exceed the original. Often a second source of a standard part, such as an MLCC or a logic IC. Still needs your approval before it is shipped.
Same footprint and pinout, but one or more parameters differ: a peripheral, a timing value, a register map. Firmware or test changes may be needed.
Does the same job in a different package or pinout. Needs a layout change, so it is a redesign input, not a substitution.
A candidate is not a replacement until your engineers have checked it in your design.
What we compare
Package and pinout
Package code, pitch, pin functions, exposed pad
Decides whether the board changes
Electrical ratings
Voltage, current, power, tolerance, temperature coefficient
Margin in your circuit
Performance
Speed, noise, accuracy, switching losses
System behaviour
Temperature and grade
Operating range, AEC-Q qualification where relevant
Your product’s environment
Firmware and tools
Core, memory map, peripherals, programming
Software effort for MCUs and processors
Compliance and lifecycle
RoHS, REACH, lifecycle status
Whether the new part has the same problem soon
BOM risk review
Send a BOM before a build or a redesign. Each line comes back with its supply risk, so you can fix problems before they stop production.
Lifecycle
EOL, NRND and last-time-buy notices flagged per line.
Lead time
Lines whose factory lead time exceeds your build date.
Single source
Lines with only one manufacturer and no approved second source.
Candidates
Alternatives proposed for the high-risk lines, with their differences.
Who decides
We do the search and the comparison. The decision and the qualification stay with your engineering team, because only they can test the part in your design.
- Initial guidance on candidates is free
- Detailed reviews, samples for evaluation and test plans are scoped and quoted separately
- Approved alternatives are recorded and reused on your next quote
Alternatives questions
Do you substitute parts without telling us?
Never. An alternative is a separate line on the quote and stays open until you approve or reject it in writing.
Can you supply samples of a candidate?
Yes. Samples for evaluation are quoted like any other line, so your engineers can test before you change the BOM.
Is the review free?
Initial guidance on one part or a short list is free. A full BOM risk review is scoped and agreed with you before work starts.
Which documents come with a candidate?
The manufacturer datasheet and a comparison of the parameters that differ. Qualification data comes from the manufacturer, not from us.
Related: Obsolete & hard-to-find parts · MCU & processors · BOM template