Elementary, Mr. Watson: High Power: When Physics Becomes Real
The Shaughnessy Report: Watt About Power Integrity?
Global PCB Connections: Understanding Your Fabricator’s Capabilities (or Niche)
Digi-Key on Adapting to the Changing Industry Landscape, Part 2
December 12, 2019 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamEstimated reading time: 1 minute
To read Part 1 of this interview, click here.
The I-Connect007 editorial team recently spoke with Chris Beeson, executive vice president of global suppliers and new business development at Digi-Key Electronics, about trends and the changing landscape of the industry. In the second half of this interview, Beeson discusses the EDA tools market, and how Digi-Key works with PCB designers to present the most efficient, seamless process for selecting components.
Happy Holden: Does Digi-Key have or provide a PCB design EDA tool? There’s one that I use a lot, and with one click, they send a quote for all of the parts within a few seconds because they’re tied in with a distributor. Is this driven by the distributor, or is this a loose alliance? Do you have those value-added services like the free EDA tool?
Chris Beeson: You’ll see a variety of different things related to our EDA tools, and PCBs is a large area of conversation for us and something that we’re currently enhancing. I jokingly said, “We’re in the pizza business, but we only provide the ingredients; we’ve never provided the crust.” Doesn’t that seem oddly related to the service we provide? There’s an opportunity to provide greater services in the entire PCB arena, but as a distributor, how do you do that? In general, that’s not a stocked item that’s part of the bill of materials (BOM) that gets ordered every day. There has to be an arrangement where you have a user experience where you can buy the components as well as access to a design orientation for the circuit board and be comfortable with the dropship orientation of the circuit board going to the user as well.
To read this entire interview, which appeared in the October 2019 issue of Design007 Magazine, click here.
Share on:
Testimonial
"Your magazines are a great platform for people to exchange knowledge. Thank you for the work that you do."
Simon Khesin - Schmoll MaschinenSuggested Items
From Onboarding to Empowerment: How Milwaukee Electronics Invested in Its Workforce—and Its Future
09/23/2025 | Corey Lynn, Global Electronics AssociationIn the competitive, fast-paced world of electronics manufacturing, success is often measured in units shipped, defects avoided, and deadlines met. But for Milwaukee Electronics, a company with more than 70 years of history and operations across the U.S., Mexico, and Asia, true success is defined by something deeper: the people who make it all possible.
Marcy’s Musings: Advancing the Advanced Materials Discussion
09/17/2025 | Marcy LaRont -- Column: Marcy's MusingsAs the industry’s most trusted global source of original content about the electronics supply chain, we continually ask you about your concerns, what you care about, and what you most want to learn about. Your responses are insightful and valuable. Thank you for caring enough to provide useful feedback and engage in dialogue.
Industry Icon Walt Custer Passes Away
09/02/2025 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamWe regret to announce that Walt Custer passed away on Aug. 30, 2025. Walt’s son, Jonathan, shared the following: I am in complete shock that my dad, Walt Custer, is gone, and I am comforted that he died peacefully at 81 years old. Walt built CCG from the ground up 26 years ago, guided by his passion, hard work, and commitment to the printed circuit board community. His dedication not only established our company, but he frequently shared his experience as a chemist and industry executive veteran to provide market insights as an analyst, an avid speaker, a magazine columnist, a board and committee member and a data contributor for the electronics manufacturing community.
New Episode Drop: MKS’ ESI’s Role in Optimize the Interconnect
08/26/2025 | I-Connect007In this latest episode, Casey Kruger, director of product marketing at MKS’ ESI, joins On the Line With… host Nolan Johnson to share how CO₂ laser technology delivers faster, more accurate vias in a smaller, more energy-efficient footprint.
Hall of Fame Spotlight Series: Highlighting Jerry Siegmund
08/15/2025 | Dan Feinberg, I-Connect007The Raymond E. Pritchard Hall of Fame (HOF) Award has been awarded to those who have contributed significantly to the Global Electronics Association (formerly known as IPC) and our industry. Though many early HOF members have passed away and are unknown to today’s membership, their contributions still resonate. This special series on Hall of Fame members provides a reminder of who was honored and why.