This new 2006 report provides industry roadmaps on connector technology, connector market segments, product categories, long-term forecasts, and some input on other electronic components and product sectors.

Information used to create this report includes input from Bishop and Associates and other key industry sources. This report is more market oriented and connector specific than the important iNEMI national technology roadmap.

This new report from Bishop & Associates identifies areas where roadblocks or other barriers will occur, and where industry forces are moving in a direction that will impact connector applications. There are forces at work that will shape future connector use, and in some cases radically change or eliminate traditional connector applications.

Connectors are an important component of electronic equipment, accounting for approximately two-percent of total equipment value. Although a small percentage, connectors represent billions of units in many different product categories. They provide separable interconnects to circuit elements during test, assembly, upgrade, repair, and connect peripherals, batteries, antennas, wires, cables, etc.

Connectors are increasingly becoming electronic in their application. Their use is limited only by the specific application need, designers’ imagination, available materials and manufacturing capabilities. As an assembly of metal and plastic parts, their potential form factor is almost infinite. Mating cycles can be 1X, or 100,000X in the case of test sockets, with a key attribute being the inter-metallic reliability of the connection over the life of equipment.

Specific designs within connector categories are subject to change and obsolescence as product life cycles shrink at the equipment level, and business becomes a global commodity. Historically these pressures were less urgent in connectors than in some other components, with many designs lasting for many years. Even now, devices such as modular jacks, D-subminiature, .100 CL headers, etc. remain after 2 decades or more of use, although some are in serious decline or replacement.

The pace of change in connectors lags that of semiconductors, but the two are inextricably connected in their market applications. Proprietary connector designs are needed in many specific applications and are subject to industry standardization as volume rises. Core technologies are well known and practiced worldwide. Life cycles are shorter, and competitive advantage includes cost leadership, customer support, and other expertise that customers value. In addition, OEMs are outsourcing on a very large scale. This means that they and their subcontractors are looking for suppliers who can do more, support them globally, and provide error-free, product at world-competitive pricing.

There are also increasing questions about the future direction of component technologies, where roadblocks exist, and what suppliers will do about them. Customers want data on these trends, particularly contract manufacturers who may have less historical data. They will respond to suppliers who have formalized road mapping programs and are capable of enunciating these trends in their products and technologies. Thus, technology roadmap activities are becoming a vital part of high-level business relationships. Put another way, roadmap documentation will be an important aspect of your customers’ future design direction and supplier selection.

A roadmap is a well-organized and informed view of the future, broken down into specific product or technology segments and their important technical parameters. It identifies technology and business roadblocks and can propose solutions. It is not a numbers forecast, although long term ‘trend’ forecasting can be an important tool. The roadmap first & foremost is a guidepost for R&D, product developments and business planning.

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