The Challenge

PCB Fabricators are Job Shops. A PCB is one critical, custom part in an OEM's electronics product. Each is a unique design, owned by the OEM. Some are extremely complex. The buying process is much more than negotiating the lowest price this week from candidate Fabricators.

Errors, omissions, and delays are costly and damage the reputation of all: The Fabricator, the EMS who assembles the end product, and the OEM.

The Opportunity

Consistently doing it right the first time (DIRTFT)* will keep the OEMs happy and generate recurring and growing revenue for the EMSs and the Fabricators. In turn, the Fabricators and the EMSs grow and prosper. The Fabricators will be able to afford, and will buy, more and better equipment to carry out the increased demand for their work.

Success Story

P. D. Circuits, Inc. ("PDC"), a U.S. company, was co-founded and owned by David M. Wolff. He built the company specifically to serve EMS and OEM customers by matching their needs for PCBs with well-qualified PCB Fabricators.

David engaged two PCB and EMS veterans to help PDC become established and effective. Gene Weiner is a member of the IPC Hall of Fame, and a consultant through his company. Keith Robbins, helped PDC identify, qualify, and even pre-sell manufacturers' reps and direct sales personnel.

The business culture was critical. Every link in the supply chain, from Customer RFQ to the PCBs delivered to the customer's Receiving dock, was handled correctly and quickly by qualified, motivated PDC staff. They shared the same knowledge about each order among themselves and openly with the customer and fabricator.

David engaged Ewarenow LLC, owned by Douglass W. Maclean, to develop a custom software application that automated the capturing and sharing of data throughout the supply chain process. The base: Customers, Suppliers, Parts, and Quotes went live in 2002. By 2004 all the features and modules were running.

PDC used the application until early in 2015 when a Swedish company, NCAB Group acquired it.

10-Year Customer Satisfaction Results

Quality: 98%

Fully met requirements when delivered.
Production orders were over 99%.
Quick-turns were somewhat lower.

Schedule: 96%

Delivered to the customer's dock on time.
Most delays were only 1-2 days late.

Cost: Fair to all three

Customers (EMS or OEM), Fabricators, and P.D. Circuits

98% QUALITY Fully met requirements when delivered. Production orders were over 99%. Quick-turns were somewhat lower. 96% SCHEDULE Delivered to the customer's dock on time. Most delays were only 1-2 days late. Fair COST Fair to all three: Customers (EMS or OEM), Fabricators, and P.D. Circuits

QCS Supply Chain Manager ("QCS")

Ewarenow LLC owns QCS. It is a Microsoft Windows application. It is up to date with the current 2025 level of Microsoft technology. It can be licensed to and readily installed and configured on any organization's Windows IT environment.

Who Can Use It?

P. D. Circuits was a VAR (Value-Added Reseller) of PCBs. Other companies can replicate that role.

A Distributor with some in-house PCB expertise can replicate the VAR role themselves.

OEMs or EMSs can use it specifically for "doing circuit boards right" as part of their overall process.

Want to Learn More?

Discover how QCS can transform your PCB procurement process and achieve exceptional quality metrics.
Start Your QCS Journey
On the Purpose line, select the "Learn about an Ewarenow Application" option.
* DIRTFT is one of Philip B. Crosby's key principles. Learn more: Philip B. Crosby on Wikipedia