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54 DESIGN007 MAGAZINE I NOVEMBER 2020 To meet these pressures, companies need PCB design tool features and capabilities that help reduce product cost, accelerate time-to- market, and ensure product reliability in their electronic product's space. For example, in the cellphone market, you know that product dimensions, physical interfaces, buttons, and screen locations, etc., are all influenced by the competition and the consumer. Therefore, in this space, a PCB tool with features, including MCAD collaboration, rigid-flex, and RF-centric design capabilities—along with the ability to simulate and address possible signal integrity, power delivery, and thermal issues—is essen- tial. 2. Size PCB Design Tools to Fit Your Products As the spectrum of PCB design complexity is very broad—from very simple, inexpen- sive, single- and double-sided PCBs to highly complex, high-density, multilayer, and mixed- technology systems—so is the range of PCB design products. Thus, PCB design tools are developed with various levels of functionality and cost targets to support different product markets. Determining the PCB design tool flow that fits your specific product space is critical for ensuring that you have all the functionality your designs require. Likewise, selecting a PCB design tool that is too complex for your designs can unnecessarily complicate and delay prod- uct creation. There is a vast array of design tools—from freeware tools created predominantly for makers and hobbyists to enterprise tools, also referred to as enterprise application soft- ware (EAS), used by the world's leading tech- nology companies. Maker and hobbyist tools are typically easy to use and intuitive. They are best suited for one-off or short-run produc- tion designs. Enterprise software must provide the sophistication to drive innovation and invention in all areas of electronic design. Step two in a PCB tool purchasing decision is to determine your product complexity and busi- ness needs. 3. Select PCB Design Tools That Match Your Business Keep in mind the technologies your product requires, as well as your business' capabilities, expertise, and challenges when selecting a PCB design tool. PCB design tool companies in each PCB tool segment compete by implement- ing design features and functionality that dif- ferentiate their tool from those of competitors, Figure 1: Pressures to improve PCB design.