Survey: Half of engineers admit to prototyping struggles because of display sample availability
Research highlights engineers’ frustration with the display supply chain and its impact on product innovation
05 September 2018, Dresden, Germany – New research from Plastic Logic exposes the frustrations that engineers are facing with the display supply chain and the impact this is having on product design. 49% claim they struggle with prototyping because of display sample availability, while a further 37% find it difficult to match unusual display requirements with what’s available from suppliers. 55% of engineers also find it a challenge to get development kits to operate quickly when integrating displays into their product.
The barriers engineers are experiencing when sourcing and evaluating displays could explain why only 20% actually conduct a rigorous assessment of display technologies as part of design projects and why one in ten admit to never refreshing the display technology in their products — this is despite ‘innovating new product features’ being a unanimous priority.
“Clearly as an e-paper display vendor, making our displays as easy to source and evaluate as possible is the best way to inspire innovation and allow customers to experience first-hand how the technology can benefit their devices,” commented Tim Burne, CEO, Plastic Logic. “If we’re going to be successful in stimulating experimentation with display technologies like e-paper and encouraging more focus on display innovation then it’s crucial we aren’t creating unnecessary barriers in the supply chain. With our e-shop and industry collaborations we’re taking positive and proactive steps to eradicate these barriers for engineers.”
“In-house display expertise isn’t abundant — a quarter (24%) of the engineers we surveyed believe their organisation lacks skills in this area — so working with a strong and supportive partner is important to help avoid design and supply chain frustrations and encourage innovation in this incredibly competitive marketplace.”
All these findings and more are examined in the State of Display, a report from Plastic Logic that examines the role and potential of display innovation in product design. The report highlights the importance of fighting compromise and convention, encouraging an open-minded and informed approach to display selection.
ENDS
Editors note: Plastic Logic’s survey was undertaken during March and April 2018. It was completed by 115 professional electronics engineers specifically involved in the outline specification or physical design of electronic products featuring integrated displays (according to the Electronics Weekly engineering database).
About Plastic Logic
Plastic Logic Germany is the leader in the development and manufacture of innovative flexible, plastic electronics based and glass-free electrophoretic displays (EPD). The company is world renowned for its leadership in the field of flexible electronics manufacturing and runs a full-scale, automated factory in Dresden, Germany, with over a decade of experience.
Using a fully industrialised process, Plastic Logic manufactures the most flexible and robust EPDs on the market. Its displays are available in a wide range of sizes, including custom display solutions for high volumes orders. Plastic Logic’s EPDs offer a range of advantages over conventional EPDs from being truly flexible and shatterproof to their daylight readability, lightweight and low power consumption.
Plastic Logic’s glass-free, flexible displays have been integrated in a wide range of applications including smart cards, mobile devices (smartphones and eReaders), digital signage, electronic badges and wearables (smart jewellery and sports accessories amongst others).
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