What Is IATF 16949 Standard? The IATF 16949 standard is the global benchmark for automotive quality management systems, built on ISO 9001 and tailored to the automotive supply chain. It defines how organizations design, develop, produce, install, and service automotive products while continually improving, preventing defects, and reducing variation and waste.  Standards often get a […]

BOM Data Integrity in a “Post‑BOM” World (and Why I Disagree)   Reading “2026 – The year we have to unlearn BOMs!” immediately brought back decades of scars from broken configurations, field failures, and costly recalls rooted in poor BOM data integrity. The thesis that classic assemblies and traditional BOM thinking have become obsolete misses […]

Prototype Parts vs Production Parts: Understanding Key Differences and the Path to Production Introduction The journey from an initial concept to a finished product involves several crucial stages, including prototyping and production. For both engineers and procurement teams, it’s vital to understand the differences between prototype parts, their uses, and the technical, regulatory, and supply chain […]