What is the smartest way to outsource custom parts, assemblies and services?
Create your request for quote (RFQ) online, including specification files (CAD). Select pre-qualified suppliers who specialize in your needed materials/processes, or have the online service find them for you. Specify quantities, vendor quality certification requirements, delivery dates, prototypes, critical tolerances, etc.
Today's online marketplace can match a sourcing professional or engineer’s drawings and specifications to qualified suppliers. This creates efficiencies in the creation, distribution, tracking and awarding of RFQs for custom manufactured parts and assemblies by matching buyers and suppliers at an exact moment in time, when they need each other. Pre-qualified vendors reduces the risks associated with developing new business relationships.
A buyer who wants to use the (free) service uses an Internet-based tool to create an RFQ (Request for Quote). The system will lead them through the process, determining the attributes needed by the prospective supplier, allowing the outsourcer to upload specifications (e.g. a CAD file). The user can select vendors from pre-qualified sources provided, or let the computer software match the RFQ attributes with those of the vendors, yielding a list of suppliers with those attributes. The RFQ is only sent to suppliers that the buyer approves, and once it is released they begin to interact online.
Look for sites that specialize in suppliers solely in the US and North America. The premier sites are outsourcing and information gathering tools designed to help OEM engineers and buyers of custom contract manufactured parts, services, components and assemblies. Their Internet-based collection of technical articles and high-quality North American job shop vendors can be quickly and thoroughly searched, sorted and called upon to help solve many of your toughest manufacturing problems. Intuitive RFQ capabilities allow you to request help from any number of our job shop vendors with ease. They even provide mechanisms to securely transfer your CAD data, images or PDF's to any list of quality vendors that you select.
The services then “get out of your way” and let you do your business, all at no charge. They do not attempt to collect on-line bids, award contracts or involve themselves in your business. They respect your privacy and do not try to be your new ERP system, your bid analyzer or your accounting system. They most skilled at helping you find the right experts, right when you need them.
