Contrary to the name, contract manufacturers actually do a lot more than "just manufacturing". 
Although contracting with a third party electronics manufacturer is certainly ideal for businesses looking for a partner to shoulder the burden of production, the reaches of a great manufacturing company's services go far beyond that. In fact, those who make the decision to work with contract manufactures can reap a host of benefits. In this post we will explore some of the many services that the best third party electronics manufacturing businesses have to offer.
Design Services
Regardless of whether you are in need of a contract manufacturing company to completely design a board from scratch or to simply review the existing design plans that your team already has in place, you will find exactly what it is that you are looking for. Expert designers and engineers with years of industry experience can make use of the latest and greatest technologies to help you develop the greatest board possible, to give you a competitive edge in the marketplace. When looking for a contract manufacturer, look for a business that offers design services such as:
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Review of product requirements
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System design
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Circuit design
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Mechanical design
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Embedded software (firmware)
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Algorithm development
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Test strategy
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Documentation creation and management
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Sustaining engineering
Your contractor should be able to utilize these services to help you to customize a solution that will fit your program's specific requirements.
Design Re-Working
There may be times when your board design works "well enough", but isn't performing up to the standard that you had hoped for. Perhaps it is not operating as quickly as you would like, or is not as efficient or effective as that of your competition. In these situations, contract manufacturers can step in, assess your design, and help you to find ways to re-work it in such a way that you achieve your desired results. This may also involve scaling down the amount of parts and components that are required for a particular board, which may not only improve performance, but can also significantly reduce your costs.
Supply Connections 
After spending years in the electronics industry, contract manufacturers have often established solid and long-lasting relationships with various suppliers. This can work to the benefit of electronics companies in several ways. First, you will be able to enjoy the peace of mind that the components that you utilize for your PC boards will be of the highest quality. This means that your products will meet industry standards, and will fully satisfy your clients. Secondly, you will get better deals on the parts that you order. Finally, you may find that you are connected with system components more quickly than ever before, speeding up production.
Testing
A reputable contract manufacturer will always have processes in place that will enable them to properly test your boards for operability, functionality, and efficiency. This will prevent a faulty batch from being shipped out to a customer and giving your business a bad reputation. It will also cut back on the costs of recalling or re-producing an entire defective batch.
Compliance
Not just any third party manufacturer can produce your PC boards. In order for you to receive a safe and high-quality product, your manufacturing partner must adhere to industry standards, complying with all regulations.
Repair
In most cases, when something goes wrong with a PC board, it can be traced back to a single faulty component. Instead of wasting money on entirely replacing a board, then, contract manufacturers can take the time to troubleshoot for the issue and make the repair in a way that is far more cost-effective. This satisfies customers and helps your business to save a lot of money in the long run.
Don't limit your idea of contract manufacturers to only production value. By taking advantage of all of the services offered by your outsource partner, you can significantly improve your business and thrive.
