Delkin Blog

One key component of industrial grade Flash storage devices is BOM control. BOM—or bill of materials—control allows OEMs and engineers to operate with confidence that devices won’t fail in the field due to parts changes. BOM control saves companies who are using industrial grade Flash memory a significant amount of time and expense associated with avoidable failures and the necessary repairs.

BOM Defined

The BOM for Flash storage devices covers multiple components, including the controller, Flash, printed circuit board (PCB), discrete components, lid set, connectors, and firmware. The inclusion of firmware in the BOM is important, since it is responsible for running the controller. Firmware changes are to blame for many bugs that enter Flash memory systems, which can be catastrophic for industrial grade users.

BOM Control

BOM control means that none of the items listened in the BOM will be changed without notice. With a controlled BOM, all of these components are locked, and they won’t be changed unless a completely new product number for the memory device is issued. As a result, OEMs and engineers can always know exactly what to expect from the storage solutions they are using in their applications.

Without BOM control, parts of the Flash memory—particularly the firmware—can be changed without any notification. As the memory with the firmware changes enters the field, the changes can trigger everything from occasional glitches to major failures or data corruption without any warning. This can lead to the need for costly repairs, if repairs are even possible. Companies may frequently make tweaks to firmware in memory products without BOM control in order to reduce costs, so the risk of a changed product impacting an industrial application is very real.

Industrial Grade BOM

BOM control is not expected with non-industrial grade products, since it isn’t necessary for consumer use. For OEMs and engineers working with products that cannot handle unpredicted firmware or parts changes, choosing industrial grade memory is the best way to ensure that BOM control is included.

Of course, industrial grade Flash memory products do occasionally need to be tweaked or updated in response to changing technologies. In controlled BOM products, customers are notified before any parts or firmware changes occur, and an entirely new product number will be issued. Customers are also provided with an opportunity to place final orders of the Flash memory product that is being phased out so that they can manage the change efficiently for their own applications.

If you have questions about BOM control or other aspects of industrial grade Flash storage, contact Delkin. Our team is ready to help with product and customization information for our range of industrial grade storage solutions.