PCB Chat

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.

For early 30 years, the International Electronics Manufacturing Initiative (INEMI), has been the go-to consortium for many leading OEMs companies and their suppliers to identify and develop next-generation technology, and then help deploy it for high-volume manufacturing.

Frank Mullaney, director of roadmapping, and Emma Hudson, new project manager, discuss some of the consortium’s ongoing projects, including new content on PCB test methods, solders, and laminates.

Mullaney has a Ph.D. in electronic engineering from University College Dublin, and spent 20 years in managerial and technical roles for Bell Labs, where he worked on a range of wireless and networking technologies, and established Bell Labs’ Internet of Things research program. He is also cochair of the Complex Integrated Systems section of the INEMI Roadmap.

Hudson previously was distinguished member of technical staff at from Underwriter’s Labs, and has a bachelor’s in materials engineering from Coventry University, and worked in the automotive electronics sector in three continents. 

Tom Britton and Nataliia Matsiuk join Geoffrey Hazelett of FreedomCAD, Matt Leary of Newgrange Design and Mike Buetow of PCEA to share work on a Department of Energy program that pair scientists with real-world industry problems.

In particular, Britton and Matsiuk are focused on developing an AI solution for the PCB manufacturing industry. Among the topics discussed are roadblocks US companies face to develop a smart factory in which AI systems communicate with equipment, and how the public solution could involve an open AI model partnership.

Recorded live on the show floor at PCB East 2025.

Robert Bryne, director of marketing at Allspice.io, joins Geoffrey Hazelett of FreedomCAD, Matt Leary of Newgrange Design and Mike Buetow of PCEA to talk about the five-year-old company's GIT hardware platform that helps hardware and electrical engineers streamline hardware design reviews.

We discuss the ECAD formats that Allspice engages with, the templates used, why GitHub matters for software teams, and the company's target markets.

Recorded live on the show floor at PCB East 2025.