Customer-Managed Inventory
Defining the Speed, Precision, Quality, Flexibility, and Personalization of the Electronics Industry.
Take Control of Your Component Supply Chain
In today’s fast-moving electronics market, having the right parts available at the right time can make or break your production schedule. BESTProto’s Customer-Managed Inventory (CMI) program puts you in the driver’s seat, giving you dedicated storage space for your components while we handle the logistics, security, and inventory tracking.
Why Customer-Managed Inventory Matters
Managing electronic components has become increasingly complex. Supply shortages, extended lead times, and unpredictable pricing have created significant headaches for product engineers and managers. When a critical component isn’t available, your entire production line can grind to a halt, costing time, money, and market opportunity.
That’s where CMI comes in. By storing your components in our secure, climate-controlled facilities, you eliminate the risk of delays caused by supply chain disruptions. Your parts are already here, inspected, and ready to go when your boards arrive for assembly.
How Customer-Managed Inventory Works
When you join our CMI program, we assign specific inventory locations exclusively for your components. Think of it as your own personal warehouse within our facility, except you don’t have to worry about overhead costs, climate control, or inventory management systems.
Flexible Procurement Options
You have complete flexibility in how you stock your inventory:
Direct Procurement
We can purchase components on your behalf from our network of authorized distributors and chip manufacturers. You'll receive a detailed quote before we proceed with any purchases.
Consignment
Have hard-to-find or proprietary parts? Send them to us, and we'll integrate them into your CMI account. We follow strict receiving protocols to verify and document all consigned components.
Hybrid Approach
Mix and match: we can source some components while you consign others. This works particularly well for custom assemblies where you have specialized parts that complement standard components.
Counterfeit Prevention
In an industry plagued by counterfeit components, we take authentication seriously. Our multi-layered approach includes:
Visual Inspection: Every incoming component undergoes detailed examination, comparing markings, packaging, and date codes against manufacturer specifications and shipping documentation.
Supplier Verification: We prioritize purchases from authorized distributors and franchise dealers. When components must be sourced through brokers, we use only pre-approved suppliers with proven track records.
Advanced Testing: For critical components, we employ electrical testing, X-ray inspection, and other specialized techniques to verify authenticity.
Documentation: We maintain complete traceability for all components, creating an audit trail from supplier to finished assembly.
Built-In Quality and Security
Industry-Standard Storage Practices
Your components are valuable, and we treat them that way. Our facilities maintain:
- Moisture Sensitivity Level (MSL) compliance: Temperature and humidity-controlled environments protect sensitive components from degradation
- Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) protection: Proper grounding and handling procedures prevent static damage
- Organized storage systems: Components are clearly labeled and systematically arranged for quick retrieval and accurate tracking
Bill of Materials (BOM) Management
Verification and Optimization
When you submit your BOM, our engineering team doesn’t just accept it at face value.
We:
- Verify part numbers against manufacturer databases
- Check reference designators for accuracy
- Identify quantity mismatches or potential issues
- Flag obsolete or hard-to-find components
Design for Assembly Review
Before components are added to your inventory, we conduct a Design for Assembly (DFA) check.
This critical step ensures that:
- Mechanical dimensions match your PCB layout
- Electrical specifications are compatible
- Components won’t create assembly bottlenecks or quality issues
Alternative Solutions
When a component isn’t available through normal channels, we require your substitute approval before we proceed. Our experienced team can suggest suitable alternatives, considering factors like:
- Electrical and mechanical compatibility
- Current availability and lead times
- Cost-effectiveness
- Future availability projections
Who Benefits Most from CMI?
Research and Development Teams
For R&D engineers working on tight timelines, CMI eliminates the waiting game. Stock components for multiple prototype iterations, knowing they'll be ready when you are.
Small to Medium Production Runs
Companies producing specialized equipment or limited quantities benefit from CMI's flexibility without the overhead of maintaining their own inventory systems.
Projects with Rare Components
If your design uses specialized, obsolete, or long-lead-time components, CMI ensures they're always available when you need them.
Multi-Project Operations
Managing several concurrent projects? CMI lets you maintain separate inventories for different product lines while consolidating storage and logistics.
Dedicated Support
Every CMI customer receives a dedicated Program Manager who serves as your single point of contact. Need to check inventory levels? Want to discuss upcoming builds? Have questions about component availability? Your Program Manager is here to help, ensuring smooth communication and quick issue resolution.
Complete Ownership and Control
Let’s be clear: the components in your CMI account belong to you, period. You can request the return of any or all components with just three days’ notice. There are no hidden fees or complicated retrieval processes – your parts, your decision.
Getting Started with Customer-Managed Inventory
Ready to take control of your component supply chain? Here’s what happens next:
- Consultation: Contact us to discuss your inventory needs and production requirements
- Setup: We establish your dedicated inventory locations and portal access
- Stocking: Choose your procurement method - direct purchase, consignment, or combination
- Management: Monitor your inventory through our online portal and coordinate with your Program Manager
- Production: When you're ready to build, your components are already here and verified
Move Faster, Build Smarter
In electronics manufacturing, speed to market often determines success. Customer-Managed Inventory gives you the supply chain agility you need while eliminating the headaches of component management. Focus on designing great products – let us handle the parts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Customer-Managed Inventory (CMI)?
CMI is a program where BESTProto provides dedicated, secure, climate-controlled storage for a customer’s components, handling logistics, inspection, and inventory tracking so parts are ready when boards arrive for assembly.
Who owns the components stored under CMI?
The customer does, at all times. Components can be returned with just three days’ notice, with no hidden fees.
How can I stock my CMI account?
Three ways: Direct Procurement (BESTProto purchases on your behalf from authorized distributors), Consignment (you send BESTProto your own parts), or a Hybrid approach combining both.
How does BESTProto prevent counterfeit components?
Through visual inspection against manufacturer specs, supplier verification with authorized distributors, advanced testing (electrical testing, X-ray inspection) for critical components, and full documentation/traceability.
Who typically uses CMI?
Does CMI require a minimum commitment?
No specific minimum is required. The program is designed to scale with your project-related inventory needs, from a single component line to multi-project operations.
More Questions and Answers
Ready to streamline your component supply chain?
Contact BESTProto today to learn more about our Customer-Managed Inventory program and how it can accelerate your path to production.
Contact Us Today