CUSTOMER RESOURCES
ORDER PROCESS
REQUEST FOR QUOTE (RFQ)
Customer submits a Request For Quote (RFQ) with necessary details such as product#, description, manufacturer, quantity etc.
QUOTE
Sourcing Forward, LLC issues quote via email (no verbal quotes or estimates are official).
PURCHASE ORDER
Customer emails a Purchase Order with product#, quantity, quoted pricing, delivery address and carrier information, etc. (available stock can be sold without notice so time is of the essence).
PAYMENT PROCESSING
Customer receives an Invoice for payment (credit card, wire, etc. unless payment terms are approved). Payment must be received and cleared before proceeding with the order.
SHIPMENT
Order is shipped using the chosen delivery method (FedEx, UPS, DHL, etc.) with tracking. If inspection/testing services are utilized, additional lead times must be expected.
DISCLAIMER
The supply chain information provided is general guidance and not a guaranteed process for each order. There is no responsibility for any errors, omissions or misinterpretations.
TARIFFS-STRATEGIC NAVIGATION
With global tariffs looming , sourcing electronic components strategically becomes critical to mitigate costs, maintain supply chain stability, and stay competitive. Here’s a breakdown of possible best approaches to help navigate the changing landscape:
DIVERSIFY SUPPLY CHAINS
Look to spread sourcing —This can help hedge against regional disruptions and tariff hikes.
PRIORITIZE LOCAL OR REGIONAL SOURCING
If you're in a country imposing tariffs, sourcing components domestically could bypass import levies entirely. Check if local suppliers can scale up or if incentives exist to boost domestic production.
STOCKPILE STRATEGICALLY
Overstocking vs Strategic Stocking -Consider building a buffer inventory of critical components (see below). This buys time to adapt, but requires balancing storage costs and the risk of obsolescence in fast-moving tech sectors.
NEGOTIATE WITH SUPPLIERS
Consider advocating for longer-term contracts or bulk discounts. Suppliers facing reduced global demand might be willing to lock in deals to secure your business, softening the cost increase.
SHIFT TO ALTERNATIVES
Research component substitutes. For example, if a specific chip from a heavily-tariffed nation has a comparable version from a trade-friendly one, test and validate that switch early.
INVEST IN DESIGN FLEXIBILITY
Engineer products to accommodate a range of components rather than locking into specific ones. This adaptability lets you pivot to cheaper or less-tariffed options without major redesigns.
MONITOR TRADE POLICY CLOSELY
Tariffs can shift with political winds. Stay ahead by tracking announcements (e.g., via government sites or posts, articles and interviews from trade experts) to anticipate which regions might face higher costs and adjust sourcing proactively.
Economic shrinkage would likely hit global demand, so pair this with lean inventory management to avoid blanket overstocking and focus on strategic stockpiling or strategic sourcing for more critical components. The key is agility—build a sourcing strategy that can flex as costs and policies evolve. Stockpiling can help ensure you’ve got what you need to keep production humming. For electronic components—where lead times can stretch months even in good conditions—having a buffer could prevent costly downtime. If prices are about to spike due to tariffs, buying now at current rates locks in savings. Think of it like insurance: you pay upfront to avoid a bigger hit later.
STOCKPILING DOWNSIDES
CASH FLOW RISK
Tying up capital in inventory can strain finances, especially if the world economy shrinks and demand drops. You don’t want to be stuck with a warehouse of parts you can’t sell.
OBSOLESENCE
Electronics evolve fast. That chip you stockpile today might be outdated by the time you use it, leaving you with dead stock.
STORAGE COSTS
Warehousing isn’t free—add in handling, insurance, and potential damage, and the bill grows.
UNPREDICTABLE DISRUPTIONS
If the disruption shifts (e.g., a new supplier emerges or tariffs get rolled back), your stockpile could become an unnecessary expense.
A MORE PRUDENT STRATEGY--TARGETED STOCKPILING?
FOCUS MORE ON CRITICAL COMPONENTS
Stock up on high-risk, single-source, or long-lead-time parts (e.g., semiconductors) where disruption would halt everything.
USE DATA
Analyze past supply chain hiccups and demand forecasts to set stock levels. Don’t guess—calculate.
PAIR WITH FLEXIBILITY
Keep some sourcing options open (e.g., secondary suppliers or substitutes) so you’re not all-in on inventory.
TIME IT
Build the stockpile just before disruptions hit, based on real signals (e.g., tariff announcements, shipping delays trending on X), not speculation. If the disruptions are short-term (a few months), overstocking could be a winner. If they’re prolonged or demand tanks due to a shrinking economy, you may want to consider a leaner approach. For electronics, where just-in-time manufacturing is king, overstocking bucks the trend—so it’s gotta be deliberate, not knee-jerk.
What’s your production timeline and component dependency like? If you’ve got specifics—say, a key part with a shaky supply—contact us at Sourcing Forward, LLC for help. Let us be an extension of your Purchasing Department TODAY!
DISCLAIMER
The supply chain information provided is general guidance and not a guaranteed solution. This does not constitute legal, financial or technical advice. There is no responsibility for any errors, omissions or misinterpretations. Please refer to the below Terms and Conditions for more information.
AVAILABLE INSPECTION & TESTING SERVICES
We are thrilled to introduce additional value-added services to our customers- available anti-counterfeit and specialized integrated component testing services from Global ETS, a global provider of testing services. Global ETS' facilities and teams are committed to delivering precise and reliable testing solutions for your technical requirements. Headquartered here domestically in the U.S., Global ETS has additional locations in Malaysia, China, Taiwan and Hong Kong. Sourcing Forward, LLC does not charge customers any additional costs associated with inspection or testing services.
INCOMING INSPECTION
EXTERNAL / VISUAL INSPECTION
X-RAY / XRF
ELECTRICAL TESTING
CHEMICAL & DESTRUCTIVE TEST
BAKING
TAPE & REEL
QUESTIONS?
Contact us at contact@sourcingforward.com
GLOSSARY
RESISTOR
A component that resists the flow of electric current, used to control the voltage and current in a circuit.
CAPACITOR
A device that stores electrical energy in an electric field, used to smooth out voltage fluctuations and filter signals.
INDUCTOR
A coil of wire that generates a magnetic field when current flows through it, used to store energy and filter signals.
DIODE
A semiconductor device that allows current to flow in one direction only, used for rectification and signal modulation.
TRANSISTOR
A semiconductor device used to amplify or switch electronic signals, fundamental to modern electronics.
INTEGRATED CIRCUIT (IC)
A set of electronic circuits on a small chip of semiconductor material, used in virtually all electronic equipment.
MICROCONTROLLER
A compact integrated circuit designed to govern a specific operation in an embedded system.
OSCILLATOR
A circuit that generates a continuous, oscillating electronic signal, often used in clocks and radios.
TRANSFORMER
A device that transfers electrical energy between two or more circuits through electromagnetic induction.
RELAY
An electrically operated switch used to control a circuit by a low-power signal or multiple circuits by one signal.
POTENTIOMETER
A variable resistor with three terminals, used to adjust voltage levels in a circuit.
LED (Light emitting diode)
A semiconductor light source that emits light when current flows through it, used in displays and indicators.
PCB (PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD)
A board used to mechanically support and electrically connect electronic components using conductive pathways.
SENSOR
A device that detects and responds to changes in the environment, such as temperature, light, or pressure.
ACTUATOR
A device that converts electrical energy into physical motion, used in various applications like motors and solenoids.
FUNCTIONAL AND PARAMETRIC TESTING
Comprehensive analysis of device functionality and parameters to ensure compliance with specifications.
DEVICE UPSCREENING
Rigorous testing to qualify components for higher reliability and performance standards.
AC/DC PARAMETER TESTING
Accurate measurement of voltage, current, power and frequency characteristics.
SIGNAL INTEGRITY TESTING
Detailed assessment of signal quality to identify and mitigate issues related to noise, distortion, and timing.
POWER DISTRIBUTION NETWORK ANALYSIS
Evaluation of power integrity to ensure stable and reliable power delivery to components.
TEMPERATURE-HUMIDITY-BIAS (THB) TESTING
Accelerated aging tests to evaluate component reliability under combined temperature, humidity, and bias conditions.
HIGHLY ACCELERATED STRESS TEST (HAST)
Intensive stress testing to quickly identify potential reliability issues.
THERMAL SHOCK TESTING
Rapid temperature cycling to assess component durability under extreme temperature variations.
BURN-IN TESTING
Extended operation at elevated temperatures to precipitate early-life failures.
THERMAL CYCLING AND PROFILING
Controlled thermal cycling to evaluate material properties and solder joint integrity.
EXTERNAL VISUAL INSPECTION
Thorough examination for physical defects, counterfeit indicators, and workmanship quality.
SOLDERABILITY TESTING
Verification of component lead and terminal solderability to ensure reliable solder joints.
INTERNAL VISUAL INSPECTION
Microscopic examination of internal component features and structures.
X-RAY AND X-RAY FLUORESCENSE (XRF)
Non-destructive imaging and elemental analysis to verify material composition and detect internal defects.
SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPE (SEM) AND ENERGY-DISPERSIVE X-RAY SPECTROSCOPY (EDX)
High-resolution imaging and elemental analysis for in-depth material characterization.
ELECTRICAL SIGNATURE ANALYSIS (ESA)
Advanced electrical testing to detect counterfeit components by comparing electrical signatures.
ROOT CAUSE ANALYSIS
Systematic investigation to identify the underlying causes of component failures.
FAULT ISOLATION
Precise localization of faults using advanced diagnostic techniques.
NON-DESTRUCTIVE TEST
Evaluation of component integrity using non-invasive methods.
DESTRUCTIVE PHYSICAL ANALYSIS (DPA)
In-depth examination of component internals to identify failure mechanisms.
MATERIAL ANALYSIS
Comprehensive analysis of material properties and composition to ensure conformance with specifications.
MECHANICAL TESTING
Assessment of mechanical properties such as tensile strength, hardness, and flexibility.
CHEMICAL TESTING
Evaluation of material chemistry to detect contamination and ensure purity.
ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE TESTING (ESD)
Verification of component resilience to electrostatic discharge events.
PCB DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION
Custom PCB design and fabrication services to support your testing needs.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Expert project management to ensure timely and efficient execution of testing projects.
CUSTOM TEST SOLUTION DEVELOPMENT
Tailored test solutions designed to meet your specific technical requirements.
ELECTRONIC COMPONENT OPEN MARKET
Refers to a decentralized network of independent distributors and suppliers that provide access to a wide range of electronic components outside traditional franchised channels. This market is a critical resource for businesses looking to source components quickly and flexibly, especially during supply chain disruptions.
ELECTRONIC COMPONENT FRANCHISE DISTRIBUTOR
Is an authorized distributor that has a formal agreement with electronic component manufacturers to distribute their products. These distributors are often referred to as "franchised" because they have exclusive rights to sell specific brands or product lines. Here are some key points about franchise distributors
ELECTRONIC COMPONENT INDEPENDENT DISTRIBUTOR
Is a company that sources and sells electronic components without formal agreements or exclusive relationships with component manufacturers. These distributors operate in the open market and provide a valuable service by offering a wide range of components, often including hard-to-find, obsolete, or surplus parts.
FFF
Form, Fit and Function
DIR
Drop In Replacement
IGBT
Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor
DISCLAIMER
The supply chain definitions provided are for informational purposes only and are not exhaustive. There is no responsibility for any errors, omissions or misinterpretations.
