Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/414663
14 The PCB Design Magazine • November 2014 quick solution, but it might also result in sub- par talent, perhaps someone not well-versed in complex PCB design. But good agencies do a better of finding good design talent. • Contract labor that companies can find on their own may be successful, but these de- signers may be sitting at home unemployed. Of- ten, these designers are unemployed for reasons that may make them a bad fit for your project. But if you manage to find a designer who meets your needs, this temporary solution can be a perfect fit. • Many companies that seek the best deal or lowest rate will engage with what is termed a moonlighter. Many of us have been there and done that over the years, so I tread lightly here! These are designers who have a full-time position during the day, and at night or in their spare time they take on other projects. I could elaborate on all the possibilities with this sce- nario, but I will leave to your own imagination what might happen if push came to shove. This could be a great solution if, for technology rea- sons, you know any moonlighters who know your particular circuit or design, and they also have an easy schedule during their day job. • Many firms will find a single designer who is referred to as a "garage shop" operation. This can be a really sweet situation for everyone concerned, because the designer is proficient enough to remain a self-employed sole propri- etor. They may have a select collection of choice customers. But if they're really good, they run the risk of becoming in demand, and a backlog may develop in their queue because they are one-man shows. Thus they may not be able to handle multiple boards simultaneously. • One often-used solution is the local ser- vice bureau. This is often a group of design- ers who successfully have built a following be- cause they are good designers, but can they run a business? If they are utilizing contract help to further outsource your project, and offering a pay-as-you-go to these contractors, it can be a delicate situation. There may be little commit- ment from this contractor and you may not get consistent quality of work from this carousel approach. However, if the business has a stable group of designers to draw from, they can offer more consistent quality. There tends to be little teamwork or consistency from a collection of lone wolves. Another concern: Businesses that run on this methodology have been known to do the old bait-and-switch. You may deal with a local interface person for the project, but then they may ship the bulk of the work offshore to a true sweatshop. This could be a real concern for ITAR work and protection of your IP. • Larger design centers have become more popular of late because they offer a more stable environment for their designers, provid- ing secure, well-paid salaried employment, great benefits, and a pleasing work environment. These factors seem to attract and retain the best talent, thus the commercial expression, "Happy cows make happy cheese." With a larger design staff, these firms can provide a team approach that does not burn out the designer, and in the long run the customer has a greater chance of seeing his project completed with high quality, on schedule and in budget. A team approach also tends to facilitate a more consistent look and feel to multiple boards within a project. Of- ten this larger design center will also provide a greater breadth of software platforms. • Large engineering R&D firms will of- ten sell the simplicity of a one-stop shop. How- ever, care should be taken to ensure that they are not a business whose core competency is engineering with a token design presence. • Contract manufacturers will, likewise, often sell the simplicity of a one-stop shop. OEMs should ensure these companies do not ThE VIRTuAL CAD DEPARTMENT: ThE CASE FOR OuTSOuRCING DESIGNS continues feature