Supply Chain Management on ASICs
Reinhard Pusch, COO and Head of SCM at RoodMicrotec talking about one of its successful services
What is an ASIC and what is its importance?
An ASIC (or application-specific integrated circuit) is a tailored-made microchip which is designed for a specific application or purpose. Nowadays, there is a strong demand for this kind of solutions.
There are many reasons to use ASICs. One of the most important ones is the reduction of space. An ASIC potentially replaces a number of standard components on a printed circuit board, which allows significant reduction in size. This is of particular interest for many innovative manufacturers of modern machines and equipment. To those companies shrinking size, reducing weight and lowering power consumption of their electronics modules is an essential requirement.
In addition to already mentioned advantages, ASICs provide you with IP protection. Whereas it is relatively simple to reverse engineer your newest functions built on standard components, it is almost impossible for competitors to copy your know-how when those functions are embedded in an ASIC.
Why did you specialize in turn-key solutions?
There are basically different ways for obtaining ASIC components; ISM (Integrated Device Manufacturer), OSAT (Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test vendor) or DIY (Do-it-yourself). In this overview you see why our approach is the Turnkey Supply Chain Management model which clearly provides best flexibility to the ASIC user.
What distinguishes you from the other suppliers in the market?
In comparison to sole suppliers, we support our customers in each phase of their
ASIC project. We work together with reliable partners for those steps we don't execute in-house.
Our customers have the advantage of having one competent contact person who cares about all steps within the supply chain - from the first idea to the delivery of serial parts including worldwide logistics, project management and quality assurance.

Clients get one-stop solution - either as turnkey solution or as single services. No matter if test engineering, planning and execution of different tests, qualifications or failure analysis is needed - we completely conform to the requirements.
With which partners do you work?
Our network includes six design houses, four wafer foundries and eight packaging partners. Our design house partners are experts in different fields from analogue to mixed signal to complex digital electronics or the combination of all of them. We deal with a range of foundry partners which are market leaders with European operations. Package assembly partners are located both in the Far East and in Europe. Furthermore, we are engaged with two partners in the field of test engineering to support us with their specific know-how and capacity in cases of demand overload.
Which markets does RoodMicrotec cover?
Basically we offer our services to all markets; however, we specially focus on the automotive and industrial segments, including manufacturers of machines and equipment. Sensor and communication technology is an important field of expertise here. Furthermore, we are growing in the medical market by offering ASICs, qualification and reliability services for products like intelligent implants etc. A long served market is the HiRel industry where we develop new business related to Opto-ASICs, photonics and radar technology. With regard to the technology we are developing test capabilities in the range of 60/77 GHz. Relative to optoelectronics we offer optical characterization of image sensors on wafer level,while we are expanding into complex Opto-ASICs and integrated photonic components.
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RoodMicrotec presented its services at the embedded world 2018
RoodMicrotec started successfully in the new trade fair year 2018 by presenting its services at the embedded world fair in Nuremberg
RoodMicrotec attended the embedded world, the leading international trade fair for embedded systems this year. RoodMicrotec took the opportunity to meet their customers, but not only to stay in touch with them, but also making new and interesting contacts.

Our presence at this fair has emphasized our reputation as ASIC
turnkey supplier. Visitors had the opportunity to get a clear impression of RoodMicrotec's services.Customers had a chance to talk to our qualified staff. ASIC supply chain management and failure & technology analysis were the most discussed topics.
With more than 32,217 professional visitors from more than 78 countries and 1,021 exhibitors, the embedded world could attract 7,3% more visitors than last year.
We are happy about the number of new contacts which have been made at the trade fair. We expect a positive impact on our business.

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Upcoming event: Workshop Semiconductors Supply Chain Management Joint event organized by RoodMicrotec and BCS
RoodMicrotec and Business Cluster Semiconductor Netherlands (BSC) are organizing the workshop in Kleve, 12th April. The workshops's purpose is to gain more insight into the challenges and opportunities of SCM as a competitive model for the microelectronics industry.
"Using our extensive Dutch Semicon network, combined with the German network of both RoodMicrotec and our partner MWP.NRW, we will use this workshop to increase the cross-border cooperation while at the same time learn on Supply Chain Management in the semiconductor industry", says Barry Peet, Managing Director of BCS. 
In addition to experts from RoodMicrotec who will be sharing their knowledge, skills and strategies on SCM, other top speakers from various leading companies such as First Sensor (Germany),
Sencio (The Netherlands) and ICsense (Belgium) will be contributing their specific expertise.
Reinhard Pusch, COO and Head of Supply Chain Management at RoodMicrotec: "This workshop is not only a professional sharing of business & technology information, but it also provides a great opportunity to meet potential new clients or partners on the other side of the border."
The workshop is open for other people interested in the topic. If you want to attend the workshop, please send an email to: petra.bouwhuis@bcsemi.nl
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