Traceability

How tying real-time component usage data into your ERP helps SMT manufacturers control PCBA costs as component prices and supply chains stay unpredictable.

Discover why electronics manufacturers need a unified analytics platform to connect shop-floor data, eliminate silos, track KPIs across lines, and turn machine data into actionable insights.

From partnership to innovation—see how collaboration with Kurtz Ersa led to the first OPC UA implementation in Co‑NECT for smarter factory connectivity.

Greg Benoit reflects on IPC APEX EXPO 2026 in Anaheim: lower foot traffic offset by higher-quality conversations, strong industry innovation in smart material management, and AI-enabled solutions raising the interoperability bar.

Improve SMT line quality control with the Product Flow Controller—real‑time interlocking that stops non‑compliant materials and setups instantly.

Spotlight on Galen Alexander, Application Engineer, with Cogiscan that highlights his extensive technical experience in PCBA manufacturing

Why enquiries about moisture-sensitive device control have surged, and the industry trends pushing manufacturers to automate MSD handling on the shop floor.

Welcome to our digital narrative, where we embark on an epic quest through the bustling floor of an electronics factory. This is a tale of transformation, a data journey that starts in the heart of the shop floor and ends with a trove of actionable insights for the entire production ecosystem.

Cogiscan and Scienscope announce a partnership to unlock the full value of X‑ray inspection data and support smarter, more connected electronics manufacturing.

Cogiscan partners with Ersa to deliver OPC UA connectivity for Ersa soldering systems, enabling standardized integration and smarter electronics manufacturing.

Discover how customized dashboards transform electronics manufacturing by turning complex factory data into clear, role‑specific insights. Learn how tailored analytics empower Production Managers and Machine Operators to boost efficiency, reduce downtime, and make smarter, faster decisions.

As PCBAs become increasingly complex, manufacturers face rising risks tied to miniaturization, higher component density, fragmented workflows, and stricter customer demands. Discover why modern production environments require advanced, automated MSD Control to maintain reliability, ensure traceability, and eliminate costly exposure errors.

Unfailing reliability is the top requirement for products used in the aerospace and defense industries–– electronics used in these sectors are vital to mission success, and even a single component failure is not an option. To that end, having a robust Moisture Sensitive Device (MSD) control system is essential, not simply a nice to have. Since these products are expected to have extensive operational lifetimes, A&D manufacturers must make the long-term integrity of MSDs a basic prerequisite to help meet these requirements.

Active traceability and analytics help electronics manufacturers prevent errors, optimize production, and improve quality—essential for high-reliability sectors like aerospace, medical, and automotive.

Founded in a spare bedroom in 1999 by André Corriveau, Vincent Dubois, and François Monette, the company has since established itself as a key player in the industry, particularly known for its Track, Trace & Control (TTC) platform. As the founders prepare to retire after 26 remarkable years, they reflect on their journey, sharing insights into the company's culture, their proudest achievements, lessons learned, and the future of electronics manufacturing.

blog/news/Driving Factory Digitalization Q&A

Despite its simplicity at the surface, the kitting step in the electronics manufacturing process can be deceptively complex and resource-intensive. Often overlooked as place to optimize, kitting is in fact a critical phase within the Surface Mount Technology (SMT) sector, where the accuracy and efficiency of job preparation can greatly influence the entire production workflow. Any errors or delays in kitting can cause quality issues and a waste of resources.

Utilizing Cogiscan's Factory Insights can significantly enhance the ability to monitor and maintain product quality, thus reducing the incidence of failures in the field. This guide provides a step-by-step approach to leveraging Cogiscan's system to proactively address potential defects detected during production.

When you want to get more through on your SMT lines, you'll often want to first make sure your placement machines are running smoothly. These machines are the backbone of the assembly process, so keeping a close eye on them is key to eliminating waste and ensuring a smoother running line. This guide walks you through how to tackle spillage problems using Factory Insights, Cogiscan’s analytics platform designed specifically for electronics manufacturers.

Integrating advanced component tracking systems like those from Cogiscan into circuit board assembly processes is essential for precise inventory management and financial strategy, as it prevents excess capital lockup in inventory and keeps production lines moving efficiently. These systems provide real-time data to ERP systems, issue proactive low-level alerts to prevent production stoppages, ensure accuracy during part replenishment through splicing verification, and employ post-teardown counting methods like X-ray technology for precise inventory tracking, leading to better operational efficiency and strategic decision-making.

Cogiscan, factory digitalization experts for electronics manufacturers globally, is proud to announce a new partnership with Univertools for technical sales support and representation in interior of Mexico. Established in 2008, Univertools re-sells a wide range of SMT solutions for electronics manufacturers within Mexico – with specific support in the key regions of Jalisco, Aguascalientes, Guanajuato, Queretaro, San Luis Potosi, Tamaulipas, Nuevo Leon and Chihuahua.

Efficient and organized management of materials used in Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCBA) is paramount. Given that material costs can account for up to 80% of a finished PCBA's expense, efficient control of these materials is not just an operational concern but a critical financial one. Manufacturers have to thread a delicate balance of maintaining enough inventory to prevent delays and production shortages, while avoiding excess that leads to waste and additional costs. This blog offers an analysis of three of the most used storage solutions in electronics manufacturing.

In high-mix manufacturing environments, where product changeover is high, changeover efficiency is paramount. Each transition can lead to downtime on the line (where time is money), which is why many manufacturers have turned to offline setup as a solution. By moving feeder setup tasks offline and utilizing batch changeover methods with feeder exchange units, electronics manufacturers can minimize both the time and complexity associated with changeovers.

The biotech and medical industries are at the forefront of innovation, constantly evolving to meet the needs of patients and healthcare professionals worldwide. In this ever-advancing landscape, electronics manufacturers face the critical challenge of delivering precision, ensuring compliance with industry standards, and upholding a strong commitment to quality. As a leader in Track, Trace & Control solutions, we’ve been enabled medical-focused electronics manufacturers to meet the demands of this industry for over twenty years now.

The IPC APEX Expo 2024, held in Anaheim from April 9th to 11th, is one of our favorite shows – the perfect place for those of us in electronics manufacturing to present our latest technologies and nurture pivotal partnerships. Here, we’ll recap the highlights and key takeaways from Cogiscan’s perspective, specifically highlighting our commitment to innovation and collaboration in this industry.

Download I-Connect007 Ebook on Factory Analytics: Embracing and comprehending factory analytics is crucial for any electronics manufacturer. Those who place a strategic emphasis on analytics and effectively utilize the resulting insights across their operations will endure over the long term. In an industry characterized by rapid change, intense competition, and slim profit margins, factory analytics serve as a vital tool for identifying potential enhancements and ensuring the ongoing success of the business.

As a performance analytics platform, Factory Insights takes data collected from the entire production ecosystem, including from machines, sensors, traceability tools (material and process information), and through an underlying data management engine, transforms that rich data into KPIs with actionable intelligence. With Factory Insights, Cogiscan continues to leverage all that data know-how and experience to help manufacturers run a more efficient, timely and thus less expensive operation.

Given the mission critical nature of aerospace and defense electronics manufacturing, it is imperative to implement stringent quality control measures that adhere to AS9100 standards, ensure meticulous traceability and maintain long-term data retention, while also fostering a culture of continuous improvements. For over two decades, Cogiscan's Track, Trace & Control Platform (TTC Platform) has been integral to electronics manufacturers in this sector – by helping to fulfil the rigorous demands of assembling these high-reliability products while simultaneously helping to enhance the efficiency of the overall manufacturing process.

The automotive electronics market has become a cornerstone of the overall industry, with its size reaching a noteworthy USD 239.03 billion in 2022. As technology continues to advance, this market is expected to soar to a staggering USD 386.24 billion by 2030, flourishing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.8% during the forecast period. Major EMS and OEM players —including industry giants like Robert Bosch GmbH, ZF Friedrichshafen AG, Aptiv PLC, and Lear Corporation —are leading the charge in the automotive sector. Many of these stakeholders have adopted software solutions like the Cogiscan TTC Platform and iTAC.MOM.Suite to not only meet the changing demands of the market, but to also continuously optimize and control their manufacturing processes.

Electronics Production In the complex world of automotive electronics manufacturing, precision, IATF 16949 compliance, and a strong commitment to quality are essential. Cogiscan's Track, Trace & Control Platform (TTC Platform) has played a pivotal role in the automotive electronics manufacturing landscape, assisting numerous electronics manufacturers over the past 20 years. This piece delves into the ways in which Cogiscan's active traceability platform, coupled with its efficiency-enhancing capabilities, is tailored for the automotive electronics sector. It highlights the platform's vital contribution to meeting IATF 16949 standards and its effectiveness in elevating quality and traceability within the manufacturing workflow.

In the realm of PCBA manufacturing, a significant transformation is underway, with sustainability and green initiatives at the forefront. Customers are demanding eco-friendly solutions, placing significant pressure on manufacturers to adapt and meet these new expectations. However, the path to sustainability is full of challenges, and traditional ways of thinking are insufficient. Electronics manufacturers are exploring ways to optimize performance, aiming to extract every ounce of efficiency from equipment and materials.

The PCBA industry has experienced exponential growth in the last 5+ years, driven mainly by the insatiable demand for smarter and more connected devices. This growth has driven the demand for a highly skilled workforce capable of handling intricate circuitry, sophisticated machinery, and ever-evolving technology. But the gap between this demand and the availability of well-trained individuals is widening, creating a crisis that has profound implications for the future of electronics manufacturing. In this article, we’ll delve into the potential solutions to better bridge this gap and ensure the sustainability of this vital industry.

By integrating effective solutions for traceability and analytics, manufacturers can achieve not only increased client acquisition but also heightened profitability. This powerful combination offers a comprehensive approach that drives PCBA factories towards optimal efficiency by tackling both aspects concurrently.

Reshoring in electronics manufacturing is a strategic approach that involves relocating the production of electronic components or devices back to the home country or a nearby region, often from offshore destinations. This trend has gained momentum in recent years for several reasons. This blog explore three of those reasons and how manufacturers are changing to fit this new reality. Reasons cover: Less savings in offshoring, Reducing supply chain risks, Increasing quality control and Intellectual Property

Quality management comprises four key steps: Quality Planning, where goals and standards (ISO, IPC, etc.) are established; Quality Control, focusing on real-time monitoring and error detection; Quality Assurance, a proactive approach to prevent defects; and Quality Improvement, a continuous process of enhancing operations, products, or services based on data analysis and feedback, ensuring ongoing excellence in quality. This article will however focus on step #2: Quality Control.

Setup control is the linchpin of effective PCBA manufacturing. It revolves around preparing the assembly line, equipment, and materials to achieve consistent, high-quality results. A well-executed setup control process reduces downtime and turnover, minimizes errors, and enhances overall productivity. This blog covers 5 key elements of production setup control: Setup Validation, Process Parameters Setting, Offline Setup Validation, Equipment Calibration & Operator Training

In the fast-paced industry of PCBA manufacturing, staying ahead requires more than just production efficiency; it demands a finely tuned orchestration of processes, seamless data exchange, and real-time decision-making. As the PCBA industry marches forward in this digital age, an industry-focused connectivity solution stands out from the rest – Co-NECT. This connectivity platform is poised to transform PCBA manufacturing by harnessing the power of all types of factory connectivity, redefining how our industry operates

For more than 20 years, our Product Flow Controller (PFC) has been one of our top-selling hardware products. There are many reasons for that. Sure, popular for standard applications– like using our PFC for production interlocking & SMEMA control – but one of the main benefits of this 8-bit device is without a doubt its versatility. Here are some non-standard applications we've seen of our PFC over the years.

In the sprawling landscape of modern electronics manufacturing, the manufacturing process can be likened to an enigmatic labyrinth, where a PCBA’s journey, from conception to the finished product is an intricate web of supply chains and assembly requirements. Within this dynamic and fast-paced reality, the importance of traceability should be looked at as a guiding beacon, an illumination to the best path forward. Traceability in electronics manufacturing serves as a fundamental pillar that fosters product integrity, safety, compliance, and supply chain efficiency. As the industry continues to evolve, embracing traceability not only drives business success but also demonstrates a commitment to responsible and sustainable manufacturing practices.

As the backbone of any successful operation, material management encompasses the careful planning, sourcing, receiving, and handling of raw materials and components needed to produce electronic products. The Incoming Material Station (IMS) offers an advanced receiving solution tailored specifically for electronics manufacturing. This blog covers the main features of the station, as well as its benefits.

In the vast realm of data management, two terms often emerge (especially given the adoption rate of AI): data lake and data swamp. While both involve storing and processing large volumes of data, they represent contrasting approaches and outcomes. In this blog, we'll dive into the differences between a lake and a swamp, exploring their definitions, characteristics, benefits, and pitfalls.

Watch the recording - AI is everywhere. However, very few have success with this new technology. Why is that? In this 45-minute webinar hosted by Mitch DeCaire (Cogiscan) and Martin Strempel (iTAC Software AG), we've covered everything you need to know about AI in electronics manufacturing.

Connectivity is the mandatory foundation for ANY factory digitalization initiative. And while connectivity gets a lot of hype, the less talked about challenge is how to manage the vast amounts of collected factory data.

Most digitalization projects can be daunting due to the sheer scope. Therefore, electronics manufacturers need to focus on THEIR key pain points. In this article, we cover 4 problems that PCBA manufacturers regularly have, and we propose solutions for all of them. From Kitting Control solution to AI tools, there is something for everyone.

In this interview from Mitch DeCaire (Cogiscan) and Martin Strempel (iTAC Software), you'll learn about what makes a successful AI project in electronics manufacturing. In summary, it's not just about the tool itself. It has more to do with the intent you had when you built the tool and the industry expertise you have to make it actionable. We're going from reactive to prescriptive analytics with this model.

At Cogiscan, we believe in the power of proactivity over reactivity. With this mindset, we built an SMT Analytics tool that can help PCBA manufacturers avoid a field recall altogether. Here's how.

In this short article, we’ll cover two concrete examples that demonstrate how to best maximize your component placement performance using an in-depth SMT placement analytics software. In order words, we’ll explain how to use drill-down analyses to get best out of your SMT lines.

The future of electronics manufacturing is in the power of factory digitalization through smart software solutions. This summarizes Michael Ho's predictions for the PCBA industry for 2022. EMS will have to do more with less. Manufacturers will need to have a digitalization strategy. There is no one size fits all for digitalization in electronics manufacturing.

Many software companies, and even some of the leading machine vendors, offer interesting SMT manufacturing analytics tool for the PCBA industry. But, does a better SMT analytics tool automatically mean better insights?

We’ve got some survival tips from Greg Benoit, Director of Sales Enablement, to help you navigate this component allocation more smoothly. His smart material management advice will help you get the best use out of every single component... and alleviate some of your suffering.

Almost everything sold today has a circuit board in it and most of these smart devices use, and thus compete for stock on, the same ICs.And while manufacturers all vie for the same parts to meet their customers increasingly desperate demands, experts predict we’ll be dealing with this situation well into 2022.

This is only an excerpt. To read the article in its entirety (in French…

Jabil has chosen Cogiscan's Co-NECT technology for a corporate-wide connectivity programme spanning more than 2,000 SMT machines across its global plants.

CALGARY, CANADA,  April 2021  Dynamic Source Manufacturing Inc. (DSM), celebrating its 20th year as a leading…

We’ve been focusing on smarter manufacturing solutions for over 20 years. We’ve remained hyper-focused on improving the manufacturing experience for our customers – offering intelligent and customized software solutions that…

In his latest interview on EMS@C-Level, Philip Stoten wanted to know how Cogiscan and iTAC Software AG would benefit from synergies since the acquisition in early February. Our CEO answered:…

We’ve been acquired by the Dürr Group, via iTAC Software AG, in an…

Collaboration Accelerates Digital Transformation for Electronics Manufacturers Cogiscan, the leading connectivity and TTC solutions…

In this interview, Greg Benoit discusses how the COVID era has accelerated the demand for digital transformation from electronics manufacturers. Listen in as they talk about the data journey steps…

BROMONT, CANADA, November 17, 2020 — Cogiscan Inc., the leading provider of Track, Trace…

In this interview, André Corriveau talks about the challenges involved in achieving digital transformation. They talk about the steps in the "data journey" that are necessary to achieve this transformation,…

Cogiscan Today: Continued Trust, Technology & Collaboration. In this video, Benoit, Martin and Marie-Eve share a brief update on what's been happening at Cogiscan since the COVID-19 pandemic hit in…

In this video, Mitch DeCaire shares our strategy for offering connectivity solutions for equipment vendors. Typically a "buy or make decision", Mitch details why buying from a leading connectivity…

Integration- Collaboration- Smart Factory Solutions BROMONT, CANADA, December 10, 2019 — Cogiscan Inc., the…

Collaboration Accelerates Digital Transformation for Electronics Manufacturers BROMONT, CANADA, November 7, 2019 — Cogiscan,…

BROMONT, CANADA, April 2019 — Cogiscan Inc., the leading Track, Trace and Control (TTC)…

With their partnership growing from their mutual collaborations with Juki, Cogiscan and Essegi are…

ASM will use the new Cogiscan Co-NECT standalone adapter to support the new IPC…

MENTOR, OH ― April 24, 2018 ― Libra Industries, a privately held electronics manufacturing…

Bromont, Canada, February 16, 2018- Cogiscan,the leading track, trace and control (TTC) solutions provider…

By François Monette, Cogiscan Industry 4.0 or IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) can seem…

An interview with Bob Black, President & CEO of Juki Automation Systems. Cogiscan has…

BROMONT, CANADA, June 2015 — Cogiscan Inc., the leading Track, Trace and Control (TTC)…

BROMONT, CANADA, May 2015 — Cogiscan Inc., the leading Track, Trace and Control (TTC)…