With the trend for increased OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) outsourcing to EMS (Electronics Manufacturing Service) providers, competition for business between those providers has increased significantly. One of the first competitive engagements is in the form of the quotation. Many OEMs will send a blanket request-for-quotation (RFQ) to many EMS providers with the goal of singling out which company has the best solution for them. To provide the potential customer with the most compelling proposal possible, the EMS company will need to look closely at the way the quotation is presented and developed. Due to the complexity of equipment configurations and manpower allocations in the factory, the quotation needs to be flexible and reflect how the customer's product will fit into the EMS provider's environment. Presently each EMS provider develops the quotation in different ways. Some are using a standard machine platform cost to quote while others are using various SMT line configurations to get the best fit for the customer's products. One way to achieve the best fit is to use software tools to simulate present machine configurations with manpower and link its output to the quotation. Simulation tools are used in various industries to improve efficiency and utilization of processes. They can also be used in new process startups and for reviewing existing processes. By using a simulation tool to analyze our current machine configurations and layout we can give the customer the optimum s olution in terms of price and product throughput. This paper will discuss the implementation of a simulation tool into the quotation process. The paper will cover the initial development of joining these two processes and the benefits and difficulties of using these together. This will include comparisons of quoting manpower, line configurations and tact times using the simulation tool/quotation model.
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