Well Bay area is undoubtedly the best place to live. The weather reamins awesome. I agree with many of your comments that companies who are dominant in one market wants to be the key shareholders in all that business matters in that industry. One way its and one way you ar e killing the competetion.
Many semiconductor companies especially those manufacturing General Purpose processors, DSPs, Multimedia processors, FPGAs et al have at various points in time tried to consolidate the software expertise and sources. Key software development teams or individuals have been absorbed to ensure the "Supply" remains reliable. Does this sound like supply chain strategy of the Soft kind?
I think what we're getting at is that in addition to managing suppoly chain for the processors, high tech companies that are getting into the content and integrated solutions business also need to start managing the content that is being managed on those processors. There is now a parallel content product life cycle that high tech companies will need to consider as they move their businesses beyond just "boxes." This may not necessarily be as significant an issue for suppliers, however your point regarding embedded software illustrates how this can reach down through the supply chain as well.
Movies being delivered right to your TV, via the Internet. Software updates and new apps straight to your device. Hard to stand in the way, except to check off approvals. I guess there's some paperwork (or keyboard time) involved, but it's not the same route that a capacitor takes.
I agree SFO it's a great place to live, but too expensive unless your perform in Pear 39 with some of your best skills.
Talking about managing the software as a commodity Ive seen lately that companies such DELL have to emerge in that field also, they are good supplying hardware but now the techology trend is demanding more development in soiftware applications than they core bussines as the PC and Laptops.
in a few years most of the companes will require their our software develeopment department, however I'm not sure if sourcing for software will be considered a commodity or if should managed by the develepment teams.
The biggest issue, one Apple doesn't have to deal, is what you mentioned, having control of the content supply chain, specially when you have an open structure.
Apple deals very well with content delivery because I controls everything but what can Android do? Problems that have come up lately (Skype, for instance) are a clear indication that they haven't solved that problem yet.
A couple simple reason why APPLE & DELL are very succesful and no-one can have a better market price is mostly due their distribution channels and their long partnership with their main suppliers.
As far as the content delivery and management is concerned the Mobile service companies have taken the lead. With Caller tunes, Music downloads, news update and what not, these service providers employ innovative marketing campaigns to sell their soft merchandise to the mobile owners connected to their networks. The revenues earned from the content sale is much more than the basic voice call call t services. Their Content management and delivery procesess and their link to the content suppliers is the best example of how the soft product supply chain works.
EBN Dialogue enables and encourages you to participate in live chats with notable leaders and luminaries. Not only editors and journalists, but the entire EBN community is able to comment and ask questions. Listed below are upcoming and archived chats.
Archived Dialogues
Thailand Stages a Comeback Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Euro-Crisis: What It Means for High-Tech Firms Join EBN Editor in Chief Bolaji Ojo and Contributing Editor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday, July 12, at 10:00 a.m. EDT for a Live Chat on high-tech and Europe's economic difficulties.
Microsoft Surface: Potential Winners & Losers What are the implications for the electronics industry supply chain of Microsoft Corp.'s decision to launch its own tablet PC? Join industry veteran and EE Times' systems and OEM expert Rick Merritt on Tuesday, July 3, at 12:00 pm EDT for a Live Chat on this subject.
Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Peter Drucker famously said "Trying to predict the future is like trying to drive down a country road at night with no lights while looking out the back window." Yet in the razor's-edge world of electronics—with a lean supply chain and just-in-time demands—the need to know the future is vital.
You've heard the saying "the No. 1 supply chain risk is your people." That hasn't always been the case. But today's complex global supply chain requires a new type of multitalented employee. It's one who understands, finance, marketing, economics, is savvy with technology, graceful with relationships and can think analytically.
Where are these people? Are universities properly preparing the next generation supply chain professionals? How do train your existing workforce for these new, demanding positions?
Brian Fuller, editor-in-chief of EBN, will lead a 60-minute Avnet Velocity panel discussion that will ask and answer these and other questions swirling around today's supply-chain talent challenges.
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