Three situations, three approaches
| Situation | What it means | How long it lasts | Where the parts are |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allocation | Demand exceeds the manufacturer's capacity; the authorised channel allocates supply to customers with order history | Months to a couple of years | Still in production; allocated stock also trades on the open market at a premium |
| Shortage | A supply interruption without formal allocation (a plant event, a material, a logistics change) | Weeks to months | Spread across channels and excess inventories |
| End-of-life (EOL) | The manufacturer has announced discontinuation (PCN/EOL notice) with a last-time-buy (LTB) date | Permanent after LTB | Authorised channel until LTB stock is used; then the open market |
The sourcing path
- Is the part available from the manufacturer or an authorised channel, in time for your line?
Yes: buy there; traceability is full. No: continue.
- Is the manufacturer's last-time-buy window open?
Yes: decide lifetime quantity (remaining production life × annual usage × service and repair allowance) and place the LTB; plan storage and moisture-sensitive handling. No: continue.
- Is there a replacement suggested by the manufacturer, or has your engineering approved an alternative?
Yes: qualify it through your own change process. No: continue.
- Buy from an independent source, with documented controls.
The type of source stated on the line; inspection before dispatch under controls aligned with SAE AS6081A; laboratory tests to SAE AS6171A methods when the risk requires them; quarantine of any part that does not pass; documents with the lot.
- For passives, connectors, terminal blocks, discretes, magnetics and parts to drawing: can a qualified factory make an equivalent to your specification?
Often yes. The technical approval is yours; the factory qualification, first article and inspection can be done by us.
- Plan the next cycle. Track PCN/EOL notices for your BOM, qualify a second source early for single-manufacturer parts and keep an EOL review in your supplier meetings.
MOQ and validity: the two numbers that set the pace
Open-market offers move daily. A quotation for an allocated or EOL part carries a validity date and a stated MOQ, because the lot offered may be the only one available and other buyers may be considering it. Lines with short validity are the ones to decide first.
What comes with each kind of source
| Source category | Traceability | What comes with the lot |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Full | Manufacturer documents |
| Authorised channel | Full | Certificate of conformance from the channel |
| Independent, with a quality system | Lot-dependent, stated on the line | Channel on the line; inspection before shipment; laboratory tests when the risk requires them; quarantine policy |
Planning for obsolescence
- Assign the PCN/EOL feed for your BOM to a named role.
- Rank your BOM by single-source exposure, alongside unit price.
- Qualify second sources for the parts your line depends on most; the cost is small compared with a week of production.
- For custom and semi-custom parts, keep drawings and specifications current so a factory-made equivalent can be qualified quickly.
- Review the list annually, and allocation status quarterly during a shortage.
Short answers on this topic
What is the best way to buy obsolete electronic components?
In order: authorised channel stock; the manufacturer's last-time-buy; an independent source that states its source category, with inspection before dispatch and tests when the risk requires them; and, where the family allows, a factory-made equivalent qualified to your specification.
What is a last-time-buy?
The final order window a manufacturer opens before discontinuing a part. Lifetime quantity is set from remaining production life, annual usage and service allowance, with storage and handling planned.
How is an independent source documented for an allocated part?
With the channel on the line, inspection before dispatch, laboratory tests when the risk requires them and a quarantine policy. Offers that share the same quantity and date code are treated as one listing.
Can you find an alternative for an EOL part?
For passives, connectors, terminal blocks, discretes, magnetics and parts to drawing, we can qualify a factory to make an equivalent to your specification, with first article and inspection; the technical approval is yours. For other families, we source the remaining stock and state the kind of source.
Why is validity short on open-market quotes?
Because open-market stock moves daily and may be offered to several buyers at once. The validity date tells you how fast to decide.
Other questions buyers ask first
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Read the guideTell us what you buy, and how often
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