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Two heads, not one
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19/01/2006
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In recent years, the fabless business model has come into its own. Outsourcing manufacture has allowed companies to focus on product design and marketing without the costs of building, operating and managing a manufacturing facility. Meanwhile, foundries can specialise, offering ‘bleeding edge’ process development, and dedicated assembly, test, and IP companies have appeared.
Managing and getting the most out of the relationship between design house and fab has become the subject of many a treatise. For there is one disadvantage, particularly in times of plenty – can you get what you want from your foundry of choice at the right time? With time to market key to success, it has become increasingly important to develop strong relationships so that, when there are issues, your design team is not ‘just another customer’.
Like any relationship, maintaining two way communication is key – with the fabless model on the path to maturity, there has been a growing realisation that close relationships between design house and fab can be key to success.
CSR and TSMC believe openness is key to one of the most successful relationships between foundry and design house – dating back to 2001. Chris Ladas, vp of manufacturing, suggests CSR was committed to using a pure play fab. “The commitment of an IDM foundry in support of its customers tends to vary, depending on the IDM’s internal demand. If capacity becomes tight, you can be sure the IDM will focus on its own internal support. Pure play foundries are 100% focused on their customers.”
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Author
Vanessa Knivett
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