Minimizing use of parts that will reach their end of life prior to the products for which those parts are usable

摘要

Use of parts in products is managed to minimize the use of parts that will reach their end of life prior to the products for which those parts are usable. To manage use of a part, end of life data for the part is estimated and compared to the actual or projected end of life data of a product for which the part is to be used or is used. If the comparison indicates that the part will reach its end of life prior to the product, then various factors are considered to determine whether the part is to be used in the product. The factors include cost, scheduling, alternate part availability, redesign options and/or other factors.