Chapter 14 - EDC and the Supply Chain

Abstract

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews engineering documentation control (EDC) and the supply chain, which include supply chain analysis, purchased proprietary assembly changes, and customer review and approval of changes. Engineering interaction with suppliers should always be done with the buyer's knowledge. The management must expect all communications with a supplier to be done with the buyer's involvement. The customer should have a specified method of requesting changes that apply to all suppliers. It is suggested that when an assembly of design is purchased with a company assembly drawing and company bill of material, all changes to them need to be furnished to the supplier. The product specification and warranty are the customer's expectation and if the product does not perform as promised, then the problem must be fixed. The customer approval, if absolutely necessary, should be subject to a contractual default clause. Companies have agreed upon contracts with such a default clause as it is good business for both parties. Most customers know that the longer the wait, the higher your costs go and the higher their price, and when excessive time is spent in approval cycles, deliveries are delayed.