Working with Eurotech Three Way s to B uy Embe dde d C ompute r Te chno log y: Bo ar ds , Cust om Pro duct s a nd Archite ct ed De si gns

Eurotech starts the customer relationship for an Eurotech offers both ready-to-use devices and embedded systems for incorporation into an OEM device. component for their system, we work with them to embedded board with a development system (Figure 1). Built around one of our stocked products, the development system exposes the rich I/O subsystems for which Eurotech is known. achieve maximum cost efficiencies through the “DIME” model of product lifecycle cost (Design, optimized, efficient Windows Embedded or Linux development kits and can be easily adapted to many considerations). Within this...

meet all these needs with an appropriate production of the design and qualification, updates and adaptations as the specifications and availability of In general, Eurotech customers engage with us parts change. around our primary stocked products or COTS devices, optimized design/build and architected production production volume is the principal determinant in shaping considerations as well. Figure 3 indicates the general breakpoints for engagement for an OEM build. In each case, Eurotech provides the complete design and maintenance support. As the costs go down and volume goes up, the customer...

Figure 3 - Sourcing Agreements with Eurotech. As the OEM takes more responsibility for the supply chain, the product unit cost goes down. configuration. The Windows Embedded and Linux component changes without specific notifications distributions are huge, and building a ‘one size fits and recertification. In these situations, Eurotech has all’ embedded configuration is not efficient. At a service to essentially convert the standard product nominal cost, Eurotech can provide the specific OS to a custom product where any change to a Bill of configuration the OEM requires for the application. Material...

extended purchase commitments. In addition, for Benefits are high. An optimized custom design gives some products like the Catalyst series, Eurotech has the OEM exactly the configuration they want, on a been supporting the same form factor and pin-out single board of the size they need (Figure 4). configuration for multiple generations of processors allowing the user the possibility of continuous supply incorporated, and no extra parts complicate the bill over many years. of material. The manufacturing process, test fixtures, Finally, many of the customers for stocked products retain Eurotech...

larger benefit of the custom design process is the consequential maintenance cost for the duration of ability to integrate secondary sensor and I/O boards, further condensing costs. Of course, at this level of commitment, the OEM assumes some level of market risk. Since only a nominal charge is made for the design and introduction effort, Eurotech does not normally undertake an optimized build unless the OEM is committed to take at least 1000 units of production. There is an interesting variation on this model when the customer requires a fully built, assembled unit, for example a unit packed...

In these situations, it is best for the customer to paid as a per-unit cost consisting of declining assume management of the supply chain directly, in production license and a fixed per-unit maintenance a manufacturing facility of their choice. Most often, and support fee. This option improves the OEM’s this occurs where a product must be built off shore, cash flow versus the more typical up front licenses and must be built as a consumer-ready turnkey usually required by design firms. device. Sometimes this option is also merited for devices that must be built in controlled facilities, for example...

provided via an optimized design/build arrangement. If the market is receptive, an eventual architected production can be manufactured under a license. This transition model can be especially valuable to VC funded startups that must conserve capital for needed market and technology development during their initial growth stages, and then capture more margins by controlling the supply chain as they move into potentially large markets. SUMMARY Eurotech has an unusual business model. We aren't a design firm: we stay with you for the full product lifecycle. We aren't a CM: we have our own technology....