Mike Konrad is joined by two of the most respected names in the electronics manufacturing industry, Phil Zarrow and Jim Hall. Together, they bring decades of hands-on experience and unparalleled insight into the challenges and solutions within our field.

As the electric vehicle market accelerates, the reliability of the charging infrastructure becomes increasingly vital. Chargers that are down or malfunctioning can hinder adoption and erode consumer confidence. But who ensures these chargers stay up and running?

Terry's journey is as inspiring as it is innovative, leading a national movement for a more reliable and equitable EV charging network. With backgrounds in workforce development, clean tech, and digital operations, she’s uniquely positioned to tackle the challenges facing this growing industry.

Chapters:

00:00:00 Revolutionizing EV Charger Reliability with Charger Help

00:02:14 Meet Camille Terry, Entrepreneur and Innovator

00:04:15 Starting ChargerHelp: A Journey from EV Connect to Entrepreneurship

00:06:16 The Impact of Pollution on EV Adoption

00:08:37 Understanding Reliability as a Service Model

00:10:35 Benefits of Reliability as a Service Model

00:12:40 Optimizing Asset Performance with Data Insights

00:14:56 Common Causes of EV Charger Failures

00:16:50 Reducing Mean Time to Repair in Software

00:18:47 Evolution of Memory Cost and Data Collection

00:21:06 Challenges in EV Charger Reliability and Failures

00:23:28 Emerging Leaders in European EV Infrastructure

00:25:37 Workforce Development in EV Infrastructure

00:27:42 Impact of California's EV Charging Reliability Act

00:29:20 Tesla Charging Stations: Leading Reliability Standards

00:31:42 Automotive Firmware Failures: Responsibility and Transparency

00:34:32 Planning for Robust System Configurations

00:36:33 Future Trends in the EV Charging Industry

00:37:36 The Rise of Charger and Smart Engineering

00:39:26 The Rise of Slate EV and Building Great Electric Vehicles

00:41:25 Human Connection in Technology

00:43:24 Importance of Profitability in Business Strategy

00:45:20 The Role of Cash in Business Operations

00:47:26 Conclusion and Podcast Schedule

On this episode of PCB Chat, David Schild of the Printed Circuit Board Association of America and Mike Buetow discuss the current legislative environment for supporting the PCB industry.

We discuss the organization's latest annual meeting, the changing political environment, competition with China, and potential incentives.

Also covered:

Wally Rhines, spokesperson for the ESD Alliance, joins Mike Buetow to discuss the first quarter electronic design automation market results.

The good news: sales of PCB/MCM design software were up 5.5% to $399.8 million for the quarter, the 17th straight period of growth. Strength in Asia-Pacific offset slower results in some other regions.  The four-quarter moving average for PCB and MCM rose 8.9%.

The Americas, the largest reporting region by revenue, procured almost $2.21 billion of electronic system design products and services in Q1 2025, a 14% increase. 

Listen to the podcast for more data and analysis, including thoughts on tariffs.

Today we're diving into a topic that keeps many executives awake at night—ERP implementations. More specifically, why so many of them fail and, perhaps more importantly, how to fix them midstream before they derail your operations.

Chapters:

00:00:00 Common Failures in ERP Implementations and How to Fix Them

00:02:20 Transitioning from Calcot to Open Jar 

00:04:07 Embracing Innovative Ideas with Open Jar Philosophy

00:07:47 Why Your ERP Implementation Failed and How to Fix It

00:08:06 The Challenges of SAP and ERP Implementations

00:10:00 The Importance of Second Opinions in ERP Implementations

00:12:05 Common Misconceptions in ERP Implementation 

00:13:57 Navigating the Learning Curve in New Systems

00:15:53 Key Criteria for Successful Project Implementation

00:17:42 Identifying Unique Strengths in EMS Companies 

00:19:39 Challenges in Change Management for EMS Software

00:21:47 Early Warning Signs of a Failing ERP System

00:23:34 Navigating ERP Implementation Challenges

00:25:40 Keeping Cool Under Pressure: A Guide to Effective Problem Solving

00:27:32 Importance of ERP Functionality Prioritization 

00:29:33 Navigating ERP Implementation Changes 

00:31:56 Balancing Efficiency with Employee Discomfort in ERP Systems

00:33:22 Importance of Structured Approach in Consulting 

00:35:29 Challenges in Software Implementation 

00:37:40 The Challenges of Implementing Systems in Small Businesses

00:39:47 Challenges of Scaling a Business with Automation

00:41:55 Essential Strategies for Successful ERP Implementation 

00:43:55 Insights with Serial Entrepreneur Chintan Sataria

00:45:56 Podcast Updates and Listener Engagement

Cofactr is a supply chain execution platform that includes source-to-pay and 3PL solutions for electronics hardware developers.

Live from the show floor at PCB East in May, cofounder Phil Gulley and VP of marketing Libby Melton join Matt Leary, Geoffrey Hazelett and Mike Buetow to discuss the company's procurement process tools and software integrations.

Today we're turning our attention to a cornerstone of modern electronics manufacturing: pick-and-place technology.

On this episode of the Reliability Matters podcast, Mike Konrad left his usual studio for the IPC Apex Expo trade show.

Mike Konrad interviews three subject matter experts on various topics related to electronics assembly.

The guests are:

Chris Banton of EMA Design Automation joins Matt Leary, Geoffrey Hazelett and Mike Buetow to talk about how the EDA vendor's helps printed circuit board designers optimize their designs.

Recorded live on the show floor at PCB East 2025.