Boardera Release Note Log

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Stay up to date with what’s going on at Boardera. Release Notes summarize all​​ new product features , bug fixes and improvements .

2024-APR-19

Even Better Shipping Estimates

We can now estimate the weight of the PCBs based on the exact shape of the traces and pours! We then use that information to accurately calculate the exact weight of each board and therefore more accurately estimate the exact cost of shipping.

Estimated Unit Price Enhancements

We now consider the price of all the parts on the BOM even if some of the parts are not currently or no longer available in the market, this will give you and your customers a much more accurate estimated unit price for their assemblies.

Automatic DNP Detection

There was an existing feature to automatically detect DNP parts on the customer’s BOM and now we’ve expanded that feature to support 0 quantities as an indication of DNPs. This means once we detect a reference designator is specified as Do-Not-Place we will exclude it for souring and labor calculations and provide an even more accurate price.

2024-MAR-27

Warn the Customer if the Price is not Accurate

If our system cannot automatically price a customer's project, we will clearly indicate that the pricing is not accurate and specify the reasons why.

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Approved Vendor List for PCB Fabricators

You can now configure your own list of approved PCB fabricator suppliers. You can even invite PCB fabricators that are not currently part of our platform. If you connect with your preferred vendors we will only consider their pricing when calculating the best price for the PCB.

Functional Testing Time Estimate

If your customer selects ‘Functional Testing’ we will ask them to estimate how long it takes to test their board and use that estimate to calculate an accurate price.

Add Additional Fees to Cover Tube, Cut Tape, and Bulk Packaging

You can now configure additional fees to cover the cost of difficult-to-use component packaging. Once configured, we will use these fees in the calculation to consider the best sources for the BOM parts, switching to other packaging or adding the fees as necessary.

Hardware and Manufacturing Material Quantities

Non-board mounted parts like labels, screws, tools, solder, and other hardware and manufacturing material will be processed and sourced accurately. For example, we will automatically source one roll of labels per order instead of one roll of labels per label on the BOM.

Default PCB Country of Origin

You can now set the default Country of Origin for the PCB fabrication, this way your customer will see an accurately estimated price if you typically source the board locally. Your customers can still select other countries when they ask for a quote or place an order.

‘Did You Mean’ Part Number Autocorrect

If your customer has a minor typo or if they did not include the proper suffix on the part number we will automatically find the matching part and ask the customer to select the correct replacement.

2024-MAR-6

[EMS] Automate Procurement of BOM parts with COFACTR

Use our new integration to deliver on time and on budget with the streamlined parts quoting, procurement, and inventory management platform for electronics. When a customer places an order on your Boardera Platform, this integration will automatically upload the BOM and create a ‘Program’ on the cofactr platform allowing you to simplify and automate the procurement process.

More Info…

2024-FEB-28

Bad Part Numbers are Automatically Ignored

Sometimes designers are helpful by leaving notes on the BOM so that a manufacturer will understand what is required for accurate manufacturing. These notes can sometimes cause issues with an automated system that is attempting to source all the parts on the BOM. We’ve added a feature where we can recognize these notes and automatically ignore them so that the platform does not attempt to source them.

Even More Automated Project Files Parsing!

We’ve added another great feature to our automation. Sometimes designers are helpful by including different file types, like Gerber and ODB, and also include both the compressed files and extracted files. If the designer includes these file type variations of the same project we will automatically select the most reliable file type and import the project properly.

Added Clarity for Checkout and Order Submission

We want to make sure it’s clear to the designer that they are committing to an order. We’ve updated the buttons to clearly state ‘SUBMIT ORDER’ for all payment types, including the send-to-purchasing options.

One Project at a Time, Please.

We’ve added a note for your customers to explain that they need to upload one project at a time so that they understand that they will need to start multiple projects to get multiple quotes.

2024-FEB-26

Customer Quick Access Page

We’ve added a new ‘quick access’ feature to your customer’s dashboard. Now when they log in they can see their recent activity and most common actions so that they can easily reengage with you or quickly place an order. This will also allow us to track the top reasons why the designer has logged in, so in the future, we can add even more enhancements.

2024-FEB-13

Increased precision for unit prices.

We understand that sometimes a unit price can be small and require more decimal places, or the order quantity might be large and require a more accurate price to multiply. We have addressed both of these scenarios by increasing all of our unit prices to four decimal places.

Key Highlights:

1. Support for very small prices

   • If a unit price is only a single digit we now support more accuracy with four decimal places

2. Support for large purchase quantities

   • If your customer needs to order many thousands of units the total price will be correct by utilizing more decimal places,

3. This applies to all unit prices

   • All unit prices have now been updated across the platform.

More Assembly Capabilities and Options

We’ve greatly expanded the available assembly options so that your customers can confidently specify all their requirements for their projects. As with the other configurations, you can set the pricing calculations to reflect how you price these options. As always, you can always set a ‘quote required’ flag so that your team has an opportunity to review the project before providing a quote.

Supported Assembly Options:

• Conformal Coating

• Functional Testing

• X-RAY Inspection

• First Article Inspection

• Bed Of Nails Testing

• In-Board Programming

• AOI

Import Substitutions from the BOM file

We now support importing a list of approved substitutions from your customer’s BOM file. They put all that hard work into finding appropriate replacements and now we can use that information to reduce the effort on both the customer and your quoting team.

We will automatically check the component substitutions when we are sourcing and pricing the parts so your customers will experience far fewer sourcing issues and can easily place an order. Remember that you can always add more approved part numbers in the sourcing tool.

2024-JAN-29

New Support for Euro

We now offer the option to set your preferred currency to 'EUR' so that you can service customers who typically do business in Europe.

Key Highlights:

1. Euro Currency

   • Manufacturers and Designers can now have accurate Euro pricing

2. Updated UI

   • All areas of the UI now display Euro properly

3. Euro transaction

   • Documentation and Purchase Orders now support Euro.

Better Support for Purchasing

We have updated the order email to support the purchasing workflow more effectively. Now there is an easy-to-use download link for each line item on the order directly in the email so that purchasing won’t need to log into PCBSalesCeter to download the design files.

New One Page Checkout

We’ve overhauled the entire checkout process to make it even easier for your customers to place an order with you.

Key Highlights:

1. Single Page Checkout

   • Studies have shown that a single-page checkout leads to more transactions.

2. Auto completed addresses

   • Now both shipping and billing addresses will auto-complete making it even easier for your customers to place orders

3. Flexible Payment Options

   • Your customers can choose from a variety of payment options when they checkout including sending the payment request to their purchasing department

Updated Navigation Options

We’ve updated the navigation option for both you and your customer. Now it’s easier than ever to get to the page that you need to support your customer, and even easier for your customer to use your online store.

December 14, 2023

Features:

Simplifying Orders - A Seamless Path from Quote to Purchase

Today, we're introducing a streamlined workflow that allows anyone to easily purchase products specified in a quote, even if they are not registered users of our system.

Value Proposition: Recognizing the time-saving benefits for our users, we're now enabling an unregistered user to initiate the order process directly from the Quote PDF.

Key Features:

1. Initiate Order as Unregistered User:

   • Designers can forward the PDF to their purchasing team. From there, simply clicking on the link in the PDF will allow the purchaser to go through the payment workflow, even without being a registered user.

2. Clear Call-to-Action in Quote PDF:

   • The Quote PDF has been updated to include a more prominent and actionable "TO PLACE YOUR ORDER" section, making the next steps crystal clear.

3. Streamlined Checkout Process:

   • We will capture the purchaser's name and email for Receipt during the checkout process.
     
     

New Board Options Available

Our latest feature provides manufacturers with even more flexibility to showcase their offerings, allowing them to highlight their strengths and ensure that their pricing and market position accurately reflect their unique selling points.

Key Highlights:

1. Allow Maximum Flexibility in Configuration:

   • Manufacturers, including PCB Fab and Both, can now provide their customers with pricing for a wider range of PCB board options.

2. Easy selection in Editor and Spreadsheet:

   • Users can continue to select these options in the editor.

   • Manufacturers can continue to edit pricing on an individual quote basis in the “More Details” spreadsheet, making the customization process seamless.

3. Clear Display in Summaries:

   • The selected board options continue to be displayed prominently in summaries, ensuring that your unique offerings are communicated effectively.

New Available Board Options:

1. Controlled Impedance

2. Blind and Buried VIAs

3. Electrical Testing

4. Tg 150

5. Tg170 (was previously listed as High Tg Laminates)

6. OSB Surface Finish

7. ENEPIG
   
   

Enhanced Delivery Time Accuracy

Our latest update aims to fulfill our promise of providing the most accurate estimated delivery date possible. We have achieved this by integrating lead time data from our part-sourcing partners. As a result, we can now offer a more precise and reliable estimate for the delivery time of your orders.

Goals Achieved:

1. Enhanced Delivery Time Accuracy:

   • By incorporating the furthest delivery date of components, alongside the manufacturer's Capability configurations, the feature provides more precise delivery time estimates.

2. Improved Customer Satisfaction:

   • Accurate delivery time information empowers you to plan effectively, reducing frustration and potential inconveniences.

3. Transparent Expectations:

   • Clearly communicating that the delivery time is an estimate builds trust with customers and manages their expectations effectively.

How It Works:

• The estimated delivery date considers the furthest component lead time.

• For Manufacturers, the component lead time is visible in a new column on the "More Details" spreadsheet and is displayed in a new column on the Quotes UI.

• For Designers, in cases where a component is out-of-stock, the lead time replaces the stock level.
  
  

Pre-emptive File Upload Guidance

We're excited to introduce a simple yet impactful enhancement to the designer experience on our platform.

We now provide designers with a convenient link to project guidelines before file upload. This ensures that designers can proactively prepare their files, reducing the likelihood of errors during the upload process.

Benefits:

• Pre-emptively address potential issues.

• Easily accessible guidelines for seamless file preparation.

• Improved upload experience for designers.

November 30, 2023

Features:

Unveiling Manufacturer Insights! 📈

Big news! We understand the importance of data in your decision-making process. Our new Overview Statistics page is your go-to hub for key usage trends, offering a lightweight yet impactful snapshot of your PCBSalesCenter journey.

🔍 What to Expect:

Explore essential statistics with ease, covering the six months:

• Orders Placed: Track the number of orders flowing through your platform, ensuring you stay on top of your sales game.

• Order $: Dive into the financials with a breakdown of the total dollar value of orders placed, keeping your revenue insights sharp.

• Quoted $: The total dollar value of quotes provides a clear picture of potential business in the pipeline.

• Quotes Created: Stay informed on your quoting activity. Understand the demand for your services through the number of quotes generated.

• Projects Created: Keep tabs on the number of projects initiated within your PCBSalesCenter community.

• Users Registered: Gauge the strength of your community. Monitor the influx of new users, ensuring your platform remains vibrant and engaged.

🌐 How to Access:

Simply navigate to the new Overview Statistics area from the cog within PCBSalesCenter.

BOM Lead Time Visibility
We are excited to announce an update that shows the BOM lead time and factors those dates into the estimated delivery dates. The delivery dates are now more transparent as they consider the furthest component lead time.

• BOM Overview: Designers can easily see component lead time details with a new Lead Time column.

• BOM Sourcing Modal: In the case a component is out-of-stock, the stock level is replaced with the corresponding lead time information. Customers can either add in a substitution or choose to Accept Long Delivery with greater clarity on when the components will become available.

• Quotes UI: Manufacturers can easily see the total component lead time details with a new Lead Days column.

• More Details Spreadsheet: A new column has been introduced to the manufacturers' “More Details” spreadsheet, offering a comprehensive view of component lead time.

• Orders UI: The Delivery Date has now been updated to include the furthest component lead time.

Project Upload - Multiple Subfolders with Gerbers Enhancements
We're excited to introduce a new feature that lets you choose the exact Gerber files you want to work with.

How It Works:

1. Gerbers in Multiple Subfolders?

   • Our system detects it.

2. Decision Time:

   • You'll see a modal, prompting you to choose the subfolder for layer assessment.

3. Everything Else Stays the Same:

   • Your entire project files are included in the manufacturer's post-order package – no compromises.

November 16, 2023

Features:

Substitution Superpowers!

We're thrilled to announce the first of many releases geared toward making your quote journey even more fantastic with the addition of alternative part numbers!

Why You're Going to Love It:

• Say goodbye to design constraints! You can now manually add up to 5 alternative part numbers.

• The sourcing modal retains your choices. Select and deselect parts effortlessly, creating a harmonious symphony of substitutions tailored to your masterpiece.

• Our revamped pricing logic ensures you get the best deal. If your primary part is in stock, it takes center stage. If not, the system intelligently selects the cheapest substitution available.

• Easily promote a substitution to the main stage with a click of the star icon. If a substitution loses its charm, simply delete it.

• We’ve updated part numbers and reference designators to now include a label that indicates the number of subs or ref des for the part.

• For Manufacturers, your RFQ Response Spreadsheet and final BOM just got a major upgrade. All the carefully curated substitutions are elegantly organized in separate columns.

This marks the kickoff in our lineup of substitution features! Keep an eye out for upcoming releases to enhance your design experience.

Improved Efficiency for Manufacturers

• Manufacturers can now enjoy a more streamlined workflow with the enhanced retention of search criteria and results from the Manufacturer Quote table.

• This feature eliminates the need to re-enter search queries, allowing Manufacturers to work more efficiently and seamlessly navigate between modes without losing valuable information.

Enhanced Workflow for Designers

• Designers will now be seamlessly directed to the RFQ (Request for Quote) workflow when attempting to proceed from the DFM widget or clicking the Order button on non-orderable projects.

• This improvement is designed to eliminate confusion and provide a more intuitive experience for Designers during the quoting process.

Bug Fixes & Improvements:

• Enhancements were made to better detect the outline.

• We fixed a defect that caused blank PO PDFs to be emailed for “Send to Purchasing” purchases.

November 13, 2023

Features:

Introducing "Send to Purchasing" for Seamless Order Processing!

We're excited to announce the latest feature to enhance the ordering experience - "Send to Purchasing"! As part of our commitment to providing a comprehensive solution, this feature streamlines the checkout process by allowing the Designer to submit the payment request to their purchasing department for final payment.

How it Works:

1. During the checkout process, Designers can choose the "Send to Purchasing" option.

2. Enter the Purchaser's name, email, and optional PO number.

3. The Purchaser receives an email with a payment request link, the Designer is Cc’d.

4. The Purchaser anonymously completes the order by following the secure link – no login required!

5. Order confirmation is sent to both the Manufacturer, Designer and Purchaser.

November 7, 2023

Features:

Get Quick Estimates Without Uploading Files!

We understand the challenges of sharing in-progress designs but still want to get a quote estimate. We're thrilled to announce a new feature that empowers designers to receive price estimates without the need to upload full project files.

Key Highlights:

Quick Quote without Board Files:

• Designers can now request a quote by skipping the file upload and providing essential information without uploading full project files.

• Input PCB dimensions, surface finish, material Tg, copper thickness, PCB thickness, and the number of layers to receive a rapid estimate.

• Once the designers have finalized their design, they can upload the files at any time.

Default to RFQ without Board Files:

• In cases where no board files are uploaded, the system automatically defaults to generating a Request for Quote (RFQ).

• This ensures that your quoting process remains streamlined and efficient, even in the absence of project files.

Enhanced Communication for Missing Information:

• The RFQ and order confirmation email now includes a note if BOM, XYRS, or board files are missing, providing transparency to both designers and manufacturers.

Enhanced BOM Header Detection

We have improved the process of detecting BOM headers to ensure more accurate and efficient parsing of your Bill of Materials (BOM). We have established a pattern for integrating machine learning models, allowing for continuous improvements in BOM parsing accuracy.

Improved Email Messaging

Introducing improvements to our user registration and email verification process. New users will now receive a verification email from "no-reply-companyname@pcborders.ca" for a smoother onboarding experience. In line with this update, we've replaced the Boardera logo with a sleek "Powered by Boardera" message, enhancing the visual appeal of our communications. These changes are aimed at ensuring a seamless transition into our platform.

Platform Accessibility Notice for Mobile Users

To provide transparency and enhance user experience, we now display a message when accessing the platform from a mobile device. This message will inform users that the store has been optimized primarily for desktop use. This way, we aim to ensure our users have the best experience possible while browsing and interacting with the platform.

Streamlining Internal Layer Assignments for Improved User Experience

We have improved the Layer Assignment workflow in this update by making internal layer file assignment optional. This gives more control over the project without unnecessary distractions. Additionally, we have implemented a prompt in the Editor that notifies the user if internal layers have not been assigned. Customers will be offered the option to attempt an assignment, which will help them progress through the project more smoothly.

We have also ensured transparency in collaboration between customers and manufacturers by documenting any unknowns in the manufacturing package clearly.

Enhanced Invite Workflow for Manufacturing Teams

With our latest update, we've updated the process of joining your manufacturer's team. Here's how we're making it better:

1. Effortless Verification: The email invitation link now takes you directly to a streamlined registration page. For new users, email verification is seamlessly completed when you click the link. No more additional steps or confusion.

2. Simplified Form: We've taken care of the details for you. Your email address and company is pre-filled, ensuring accuracy and saving you time.

We believe this update will significantly improve your onboarding experience, allowing you to quickly and efficiently become a valued member of your manufacturer's team. We're dedicated to providing you with the smoothest journey possible on PCBSC.

Improved Transaction Handling for Failed Credit Cards

When a transaction fails, customers will see the specific error message from Stripe and a link to additional documentation for further assistance.

In the meantime, alternate payment options are available to complete your purchase.

Bug Fixes & Improvements:

• Refined part sourcing toast sensitivity to display only for actions triggering necessary updates in the editor.

• Enhancements made to address discrepancies in part availability status.

• Quantity and lead time modifications in checkout now consistently update the subtotal display.

• Fixed an issue with the DFMs not always being generated.

October 20, 2023

Features:

Enhanced Shipping Options

This latest update empowers customers to utilize their own shipping accounts, providing them with flexibility and potential cost savings. Here's what can be expected:

• Manufacturer Capabilities Setup Support:

  • Manufacturers now have the capability to specify their preferred shipping partners. This enables customers to choose from a curated list of approved carriers, aligning with your business's unique requirements. If no carriers are selected, the customer will not be provided an option to use their own shipping accounts.

• Opt-In Option for Customers:

  • Customers now have the ability to opt into using their own shipping accounts during the quote creation and RFQ process.

  • During checkout, customers can easily input their own shipping account details and select their preferred shipping company. Rest assured, these fields are optional, designed to facilitate rather than hinder the order process.

• Cost Transparency for Customer:

  • When customers opt to use their own accounts, they won't incur any additional shipping charges. This information will be clearly communicated on all subsequent screens, providing your customers with peace of mind.

• Comprehensive Documentation:

  • We've enriched the Quote and Purchase Order PDFs by including the customer's shipping information and a liability statement. This ensures all necessary details are readily available.
    
    

Improved Handling of Canceled RFQ’s

We're introducing an enhancement to ensure a seamless experience for both manufacturers and customers when dealing with canceled RFQ’s. Here's what's included:

PDF Quote Link Disabled:

• If a quote is in a "Canceled" status, the PDF Quote link in the Documents section will now remain disabled. This prevents any unintentional attempts to download documents related to a canceled quote.

Removal of Order Button:

• In line with this, we've removed the Order button for canceled quotes. This ensures that customers cannot proceed with placing an order for a canceled project.

This update aims to prevent any confusion or unintended actions that may occur when dealing with canceled quotes.

Enhanced Quoting and Ordering Controls in the Editor

We're excited to introduce a streamlined approach to facilitate the quoting and ordering process directly from the Editor. This update aims to provide customers with clear, intuitive controls for a seamless experience. Here's what's new:

Updated Controls:

• QUOTE is now GET A QUOTE:

  • The QUOTE button has been updated to "GET A QUOTE" to provide a more straightforward indication of the action.

• ORDER is now ADD TO CART:

  • The ORDER button is now "ADD TO CART" for enhanced clarity, ensuring designers know exactly how to proceed.

• CHECKOUT is now BUY NOW:

  • In the Add to Cart modal, the “CHECKOUT” button is now "BUY NOW" for further clarity and consistency with the ordering process.

These updates are designed to make the quoting and ordering process more intuitive and user-friendly within the Editor. We believe that these changes will enhance the overall experience. As always, we value your feedback and look forward to bringing you more improvements in future updates!

Bug Fixes & Improvements:

• We've improved the product feedback modal placement for a smoother customer experience. Previously, customers saw the modal even when their credit card failed. Now, the modal appears only after successful order processing, making it easier for customers to share their thoughts and suggestions.

• The product feedback toast no longer appears when a new customer initiates the project upload process, this was too soon and now ensures a smoother first-use experience.

October 5, 2023

Features:

Manufacturer Quote Page Upgrade

We're excited to announce a significant upgrade to the Manufacturer Quote page, designed to provide a more streamlined and efficient quote management experience. This enhancement addresses the specific needs of manufacturers, ensuring they have the tools and insights to handle quotes effectively.

Key Enhancements:

• Clear Task List: The revamped page displays a clear list of outstanding quotes, making it easy for the quoting team to identify tasks that require immediate attention.

  • We’ve added a new feature to administer an Assignee to each Quote. This addition significantly improves the ability to differentiate customer-generated quotes from those created via the Load Project feature. The Assignee is set automatically for if the RFQ comes in from a project that was added from the Load Project feature. Additionally, this column serves a dual purpose by allowing the assignment of quoting team members to customer-generated quotes. This feature streamlines collaboration and ensures that the right team member is handling each quote.

• Within the Actions column, you'll discover key functionalities for seamless project management:

  • View/Edit Quote

  • Messages

  • Download Project Documents

  • Cancel Pending Quote

    • That’s right, we’ve added the ability to cancel pending quotes in cases where an RFQ is no longer in process. This enhancement allows for more streamlined and efficient quote management.

• Efficient Search and Filtering: The search bar has been relocated to the top of the page, providing easy access for efficient navigation. Additionally, most columns are now sortable, allowing for a more user-friendly and organized experience.

• Responsive Design: The interface is responsive, ensuring seamless access from various devices and screen sizes.

• Transitional Period - Table and List View Available: For a temporary duration, you have the option to switch between the new Table view and the previous List view. Please note that the List view access will be phased out in an upcoming release.

• Please note that these enhancements specifically apply to the Manufacturer Quote page and do not impact the functionality of the Designer Quote page.

Custom Capabilities and Pricing for Solder Mask Colors!

We're thrilled to introduce a new capability for manufacturers. Now, you have the flexibility to select which solder mask colours you support and set different prices or default to an RFQ based on solder mask colors, giving you even more control over your pricing strategy.

Key Enhancements:

• Custom Solder Mask Colors: You can now configure solder mask colors in the capability and pricing settings. This means you have the freedom to define specific pricing for each color option.

• Streamlined Selection Process: In the project editor, only the solder mask colors you've enabled in the capabilities section will be available for selection. This ensures a seamless and error-free process.

Enhanced Project Package Download

The recently launched RFQ response spreadsheet is now integrated into the Project Package Download after your customer has placed an order. This means manufacturers can effortlessly provide their production team with the final approved spreadsheet version, guaranteeing spot-on execution according to the confirmed specifications and prices.

This enhancement streamlines your workflow and ensures a smoother transition from planning to production.

Bug Fixes & Improvements:

• We've addressed a behavior where saved addresses were auto-populating in the select drop-down on the Order page.

September 22, 2023

Features:

General Availability Release: Streamlined RFQ Responses for Enhanced Efficiency

We're excited to announce the official release of our enhanced project price breakdown feature, designed to revolutionize RFQ responses for manufacturers. Here's what you can expect:

• Detailed Worksheet: Enjoy a comprehensive breakdown of BOM, PCB and labour prices, with clear labels for factors and associated costs presented in an easy-to-use format.

• Summary Tab for Quick Insights: Access a convenient summary tab displaying all project details, customer information, quantities, and essential totals (BareBoard | Assembly Labour | BOM) at a glance.

• To access this detailed worksheet, navigate to the Quotes UI from the Manufacturer view, click Input Price or Edit Price, then More Details.

• As part of our commitment to continuous improvement, this feature has undergone extensive beta testing and is now ready to elevate your manufacturing processes.
  
  

Seamless Quotes: Elevate Accuracy with Required Shipping Addresses!

We're excited to announce an enhancement to our platform that will empower both Customers and Manufacturers in the quote process. We understand the critical importance of shipping addresses in making informed decisions about orders. That's why we've introduced two new fields for the Shipping Address and Shipping Contact Name that can be filled in by both parties when requesting a quote PDF or RFQ.

Key Objectives:

• Shipping Rates: Customers can now expect near-accurate shipping rates, allowing them to factor in the total cost of their purchase with confidence.

• Detailed RFQ Responses: Manufacturers will have access to all pertinent customer details, ensuring a precise response to RFQs.

Bug Fixes & Improvements:

• The feedback toast was appearing too soon for new customers. We’ve updated the prompt to only display on the second login or after the first project creation.

September 18, 2023

Features:

Customer Supplied PCB Capability

We're excited to introduce the Customer Supplied PCB feature. This enhancement adds convenience and flexibility by allowing a customer to start a project with just a BOM, enabling the request for quote process to be initiated even before the PCB design has been finalized.

The feature accommodates two distinct scenarios:

1. For customers in the midst of PCB design, seeking BOM and labor cost estimates.

2. For customers providing their own boards, seeking an assembly shop for BOM sourcing and labor cost estimates.

Key Enhancements:

• Tailored Project Info: Now, in the Editor's Project Info, find a brand-new option "Customer Supplied PCB".

• Effortless Uploads & Intelligent Defaults: Seamlessly upload a file without the need for detailed board specifications. Streamlining your process, because we believe in making things easy for you.
  No gerber/odb++ files? No problem! The "Customer Supplied PCB" option is automatically selected.

• Dynamic Rendering: Even with gerber/odb++ files and "Customer Supplied PCB" selected our system continues rendering the board image, ensuring you get the visual you need, no matter what.

• Request for Quote (RFQ): When "Customer Supplied PCB" is checked, the default action is to request a quote.

• Documentation: Our Quote and Purchase Order PDFs have been updated to include a liability statement.

• Clear Communication: RFQ emails and the Manufacturer Pricing Spreadsheet now feature a note, highlighting when the PCB is provided by your Customer.

Enhanced Project Notes on Quote PDFs!

We understand the importance of clarity and accuracy in project documentation. As a manufacturer, the characters for quote notes have been increased to allow you to provide specific project details and requirements on the Quote PDF.

Key Enhancements:

• We've increased the available space for the quotes note field in both the RFQ response modal and the quote PDF, allowing for up to 1000 characters. Your messages can now be as detailed as needed!

• Optimized Organization: To enhance clarity and readability, we've relocated the notes to a separate row on the PDF, providing more space for essential project information.

• Separation: Manufacturer notes are now distinctly separated from customer notes on the RFQ Response modal, ensuring clear distinction and easy reference. Customer notes are housed in a dedicated text box within the modal. These notes are non-editable and won't be printed on the PDF, streamlining the communication process.

• Please note that these updates primarily affect the manufacturer’s RFQ response interface.

BETA Iterations: Further Enhancement to Mount Type Detection for Uncommon Parts

We've enhanced our mount type detection to minimize reliance on the 'unknown' type. This release brings about substantial improvements to ensure accurate pricing and a smoother process.

Key Enhancements:

• Enhanced Mount Type Determination: Our system now identifies mount types with greater accuracy. This means you'll receive pricing that truly reflects the specific requirements of each part.

• Improved Assembly Spreadsheet + Granular Pricing: Mount-type pricing is now per BOM item, eliminating the need to sum costs based on mount types. You'll now find a detailed list of components with their determined mount types. Each line item is open for updates by the manufacturer, ensuring complete transparency and accuracy.
  
  

Bug Fixes & Improvements:

• We've made important refinements to enhance the clarity of Help Requests. Previously, the notes field wasn't mandatory, potentially causing confusion when no specific questions were posed. To streamline the process and ensure meaningful communication, users are now prompted to input a minimum of 10 characters before submitting a help request. This requirement encourages more detailed and effective messages.

• The Sample Project will now be positioned at the end of the project list on the Projects dashboard. This adjustment ensures a more intuitive and organized presentation for users.

• Resolved alert for price discrepancies less than 1 cent in the Manufacturer quote response modal. No warning will be triggered for such minor differences.

August 18, 2023

Features:

Redesigned Projects Page

We're thrilled to introduce a significant update to the Designers' landing experience; here's a glimpse of what this exciting update brings:

• Fresh Identity In addition to the revamped look and feel, we’ve updated the navigation name from My Projects to Projects.

• Reimagined Welcome The welcome message has been reimagined and now includes a captivating welcome video, providing insights and a glimpse of what to expect from PCBSalesCenter

• Projects Over Pricing Recognizing the nuanced nature of engineering projects, we've made a significant change by removing pricing from the landing page. We understand the importance of clarity and alignment, especially when a single project can be related to multiple quotes.

• Improved Project Sorting We're excited to share that project sorting has been enhanced. Projects are now sorted based on their Created Date, providing a more streamlined way to navigate the Projects page.

• Effortless Project Creation & Clarification In an effort to further enhance clarity, we've renamed New Project with Upload Project. This change underscores the fact that projects are already created externally and are now being uploaded onto PCBSalesCenter for seamless quoting and ordering. While we've retained the "Upload Project" button in the navigation bar, we've introduced a plus sign on the Projects page. This subtle yet effective symbol signifies the ability to effortlessly upload new projects.

• With this update, we're reinforcing our commitment to providing an environment that supports ease of use, collaboration, and clarity.
  
  

Bug Fixes & Improvements:

• The date selector in the RFQ response modal no longer overlaps with the unit price and subtotal fields.

• After clicking the question mark icon, the menu will minimize automatically when the user clicks anywhere in the UI.

• BETA - The detailed RFQ response spreadsheet no longer updates the Calculated Price in the BOM with the overwritten Unit Price.

August 15, 2023

Features:

BETA Iterations: RFQ Responses, we’re listening!

We are thrilled to introduce a fresh set of feature enhancements based on your invaluable feedback, aimed at refining your manufacturing processes and boosting your efficiency. Your insights have guided us to make these strategic improvements, and we're excited to share them with you:

• Enhanced Price Precision for Manufacturers We understand the importance of precision in manufacturing costs. You spoke, and we listened. The spreadsheet now showcases prices up to four decimal places, eliminating confusion when dealing with components that lead with double zeros (e.g., 0.0012). Rest assured, this enhancement ensures that the full four digits are accurately considered in calculations.

• Improved Usability To safeguard your valuable data and enhance the user experience, we've disabled right-click functionality in the spreadsheet. This change contributes to a more controlled and secure environment.

• Source Option The Source Option selected from the BOM Overview is now seamlessly incorporated into the spreadsheet. This empowers you to efficiently manage your supply chain and make informed decisions at a glance.

• Spreadsheet Edits Understanding the evolution of your project is key to effective decision-making. Now, when user modifications is elegantly captured in comments on the spreadsheet. This feature ensures that you have a clear record of the last change, aiding collaboration and project management.

• Optimized Logistics Placement We've listened to your preferences, and as a result, the "Logistics" field has been strategically relocated to the PCB sheet, simplifying your workflow and ensuring relevant information is in the right place.

• Real-time Saving Status We know that your time is precious. To provide you with peace of mind, we've introduced a comprehensive saving status indicator with three distinct states: Unsaved, Saving, and Saved and removed the Apply Now button. This real-time feedback ensures that your progress is always up to date.

• As part of our commitment to continuous improvement, this feature is currently in beta. For more information, reach out to your dedicated Customer Success Manager today!
  
  

Updated Manufacturer Invitee Email

• Elevating the Boardera onboarding experience, we've updated the Manufacturer Invitee email to list the benefits of our software, fostering engagement and trust. Our refined email content ensures clarity, while template optimization guarantees Outlook compatibility. Boardera remains committed to delivering an onboarding process that informs and inspires, solidifying our software's value for Manufacturers.
  
  

Bug Fixes & Improvements:

• We have successfully addressed the issue related to the manufacturer RFQ email inaccurately showing non-sourceable part numbers in the BOM Part Summary. The RFQ email now accurately reflects the current sourcing status of the parts, as indicated in the Editor.

• The Company Name or Individual status will now be saved when modified within the Load Project modal.

• We’ve fixed an issue with the folder structure when uploading folders containing an ODB++.

August 4, 2023

Features:

EMS Only Manufacturers: Opt in/out option for bareboard-only Orders

Manufacturers listed with a Company Type “EMS Supplier” can now choose to accept bare board orders, eliminating pricing complexities. Navigate to the cog - Capabilities - and turn on/off Allow Bareboard-Only Orders under the PCB Processing heading.

Manufacturer Pricing Changes - Applied Immediately

Say goodbye to delays and hello to real-time efficiency with our latest feature update! Now, enjoy the instant application of manufacturing pricing and customer discount settings changes right from the cog - Pricing or from the Customers page. No more waiting – witness immediate impacts on all your quotes. Seamlessly adjust and fine-tune with confidence, ensuring your quotes always reflect the latest updates.

Manufacturer RFQ Response: Choose when to send Quote is Ready email

Introducing a seamless email notification feature designed to enhance your workflow: now manufacturers can decide when to alert designers when their quotes are ready for review once the RFQ response has been submitted.

After submitting a quote, easily save it by clicking the Submit Quote button, then choose Yes to send the email with the quote PDF attached and stay organized with clear messaging and PDF attachments, streamlining communication throughout the process.

Note: For customers who have completed registration, the existing "Your Quote is Ready" email will be sent. While unregistered customers (added through Load Project that have not completed registration) will receive a welcome invitation email.

July 21, 2023

Features:

Introducing Company Name

We are excited to introduce a significant enhancement to our platform that will greatly benefit Manufacturers and their collaboration with users. With this release, we have added the capability to capture and display Company Name information for users, allowing better communication, discounting, and collaboration.

We have introduced a new field that enables customers to view or edit their Company Name data with an additional option to select "Individual" if they are not part of a company. We have updated several areas of PCBSalesCenter to prompt for Company Name/Individual information if it is missing. These interfaces include:

• Sign Up

• User Profile

• Load Project

• Quoting

• Request for Quote (RFQ)

• Quote PDF

This new feature aims to improve communication and collaboration between Manufacturers and users, laying the groundwork for future collaboration functionalities. We look forward to receiving your feedback and further enhancing this feature based on your valuable input.

Clear Internal Layer Numbering

Get ready for a smoother manufacturing process! We've made it easier by including clear internal layer numbers in exports. Now all the work that was done in the project editor to assign the layers will be exported in the manufacturing package, no more guesswork – you'll have all the essential information at your fingertips!

Adjustments to the DFM Report

We've updated our DFM report to ensure fewer false positives and more accurate insights. Feel more confident in your design with our DFM.

Empowering Your Sales and Quoting Teams - New Enhancements to Load Project!

We understand the importance of efficiency and seamless communication for your sales and quoting processes. That's why we're excited to introduce some powerful updates to the Load Project feature tailored to streamline your workflows and enhance customer interactions.

Enhancement summary:

• After initiating the Load Project workflow, the "Quote" button is now available in the editor even if you have not invited your customer to PCBSalesCenter, enabling RFQ submission regardless of project state.

• If an RFQ is generated by a Manufacturer, it will not send any communications to designers, ensuring a seamless quoting experience.

• When responding to an RFQ from a customer who has not yet registered, communications will not be sent, and manufacturers will receive a pop-up reminder that emails will not be sent; instead manufacturers can download the quote PDF to send to their customer.
  
  

Exciting BETA Release: RFQ Responses, made easier!

We're thrilled to announce the beta release of our game-changing feature - the enhanced project price breakdown! Manufacturers get ready to respond to RFQs with precision and efficiency like never before.

Key Benefits:

• Detailed worksheet: Receive a comprehensive breakdown of prices, labelled factors, and associated costs in an easy-to-use format.

• Summary tab for quick insights: Access a convenient summary tab with all project details, customer information, quantity, and essential totals (BareBoard | Assembly Labour | BOM).

  • As part of our commitment to continuous improvement, this feature is currently in beta. For more information, reach out to your dedicated Customer Success Manager today!
    
    

Another Exciting BETA Release: "NET Terms Passthrough" Payment Option

We are excited to announce the addition of a new feature "NET Terms Passthrough" to PCBSalesCenter, designed to streamline the payment process for our manufacturers and their existing customers. With this feature, you can now utilize your pre-qualified NET terms with your chosen customers directly within PCBSalesCenter, eliminating the need for these established customers to pre-pay for their orders in PCBSalesCenter.

Previously in PCBSalesCenter, the customer could only use their credit card to place an order. Now, with the NET Terms Passthrough feature, select customers will have the option to set NET Terms as a payment method during checkout, in addition to credit card, simplifying the purchasing process.

• As part of our commitment to continuous improvement, this feature is currently in beta. For more information, reach out to your dedicated Customer Success Manager today!
  
  

Bug Fixes & Improvements:

• Now, if a project was in a Quote Required state, clicking the order button opens the Request for Quote modal.

• As a manufacturer, exiting Support Mode will now redirect you to the last page you were on before launching support mode.

• As a manufacturer in Support Mode, clicking on your customer's Messages page will filter the messages to just those between you and that customer.

• Sometimes if you decided not to complete the Layer Assignment widget, moving on to the next widget would redirect you back to the Layer Assignment widget. Moving forward, you will now be taken to the next widget!

• With our new logic, we can detect package types more efficiently, reducing the likelihood of defaulting to labour charges for "unknown mount types" thereby enabling us to charge correct labour more often.

• We've identified an issue with the quote modal resetting search filters on the quotes page. With this release, opening the quote modal will preserve your filters, ensuring a smoother and more convenient quoting experience.

• As a manufacturer, if you leave PCBSalesCenter while in Support Mode, you’re next login will now take you to your manufacturer view instead of back to the account you were just supporting.

June 23, 2023

Features:

Request for Quote modal update

We are thrilled to announce our latest feature update for Customers that makes the quoting process faster and more convenient than ever before. With the new Request-For-Quote (RFQ) modal, Customers can now easily confirm their Quote Details (Quantity, PCB Country of Origin, Build Time) when generating their own quotes or requesting a quote from their Manufacturer.

Bug Fixes & Improvements:

• Clicking the Remove button in the cart now instantly removes the product from the cart without requiring a page refresh.

• Previously, the system relied too heavily on "unknown mount type" labour charges, leading to inconsistent and inaccurate labour cost estimations. We have made some adjustments to improve the way we identify package types.

June 9, 2023

Features:

Preferred currency locked down to Manufacturer's preference

We have implemented a new feature that locks down the currency to the manufacturer's preferred choice throughout the entire platform. This enhancement will greatly assist manufacturers in streamlining their sales order and invoice reconciliation processes.

With this update, the currency will be locked to the manufacturer's preferred currency. Users will no longer have the ability to change the currency settings on their own. This ensures consistency and accuracy in all prices displayed within the user interface (UI) and documentation.

Market Adjust and Customer Discount Enhancements

We are pleased to announce a significant update to our platform that enables manufacturers to have greater control over project pricing while maintaining the convenience of just-in-time pricing for components. This release empowers manufacturers to adjust project pricing without impacting the pricing of Bill of Materials (BOM) components.

Key Features and Benefits:

• Market Adjustment Slider: We have updated the Market Adjustment slider that enables manufacturers to easily modify project pricing to no longer impact the price of the BOM. This intuitive tool allows you to respond to market demands, competition, and other factors by instantly adjusting project prices while ensuring that BOM component prices remain unaffected.

• Customer Discounts: Manufacturers can also continue to apply customer-specific discounts without impacting the pricing of BOM components. This feature enables manufacturers to offer tailored pricing to different customers while maintaining accurate component pricing based on real-time availability and cost.

Bug Fixes & Improvements:

• Job Type Label

  • Previously, if a customer created an order in an EMS Only manufacturer but did not upload a BOM, the project job type label would incorrectly display as "Assembly." Now, if the order is without a BOM the job type label will correctly show as "PCB Only" instead of "Assembly."

May 25, 2023

Features:

Account Switch

We have made some changes to improve the Manufacturer’s experience. The feature previously known as "Account Switch" has been renamed to "Support Mode" and we have also updated the visual design to enhance usability.

The Support Mode banner has been updated, with a bold colour and the introduction of an Exit Support button to easily return a manufacturer to their account.

In Support Mode, we have updated the navigation bar to hide unnecessary icons.

An additional banner has been introduced when viewing My Projects, Messages, Quotes, and Orders to provide a clear reminder when in Support Mode.

In the Messages section, the default filter is set to the supported customer name.

Overall, these updates aim to streamline the user experience, enhance support capabilities, and improve navigation for manufacturers.

Job Type Indicator

We have added a Job Type label in a few areas to provide clearer confirmation to facilitate internal processes. Previously, the sales order did not explicitly specify whether it was for PCB only or Assembly. This lack of clarity led to confusion, as the user receiving the order notification could mistakenly assume that the customer forgot to send the BOM or that it was a consignment deal where the customer would supply the parts.

To address this issue, the following update has been implemented:

• The type (PCB Only or Assembly) is now included in the Orders email body and on the Orders page, ensuring that the job type is clearly communicated.

• Note, PCB Only vs. Assembly is based on the customer's selection when in the Editor to include Assembly or not.

By incorporating the job type information in the purchase order and sales order communications, the manufacturer can now initiate their internal processes with confidence, knowing the specific nature of the order. This feature enhances clarity, reduces misunderstandings, and enables the manufacturer to proceed smoothly with their tasks to complete the order efficiently.

Lead Time Indicator

We’ve updated a few areas to clearly indicate when an order has a "Rush" request. This is important for the manufacturer to prioritize these orders and provide exceptional customer service. Currently, it is challenging for manufacturers to identify rush orders, causing delays in responding promptly. The following updates have been made:

• Orders Page: The Orders page has been updated to include a visual indicator, along with a label indicating "Rush Orders." This provides a quick and easily identifiable marker for rush orders when viewing the list of orders.

• Email Subject and Body: The emails sent to the manufacturer regarding orders have been updated to include the term "Rush" in the subject and body. This ensures that the urgency of the order is immediately apparent to the manufacturer, helping them take immediate action.

• PDF Updates: The Sales Order and Purchase Order PDFs have been modified to highlight the build time more prominently.

• Keyword Search: The keyword search on the Orders page has been updated to search for rush orders; simply add the word Rush to the Keyword search to filter and identify rush orders when necessary.

These updates provide manufacturers with a clear indication of rush orders through various channels, including email, the Orders page, and PDF documents. This ensures that manufacturers can promptly respond to and prioritize these time-sensitive orders, improving overall customer service and reducing delays.

Enhanced search filtering for Manufacturers

We have enhanced the search capabilities for Manufacturers when using the Keyword Search on the Quotes, Orders and Messages pages.

The aim is to allow manufacturers to easily search and filter their quotes, messages, and orders by adding extending the existing functionality to also search on customer names or email addresses. By incorporating customer names and email addresses in the search functionality, this feature empowers manufacturers to efficiently navigate and leverage customer information to respond effectively and supports better communication and decision-making.

May 2, 2023

Features:

Load Project - Reduce your quoting time to minutes!

• Introducing a new feature for Manufacturers to easily load projects for their Customers and streamline the ordering process! With just a few clicks, Manufacturers can now load customers' projects, take advantage of all the automation features on the Boardera platform and then invite their customers to review and order the project.

• Simply select the Load Project option from the navigation bar and enter your customer's email address. Our dynamic Load Project modal will guide you through the process, creating a new temp user if necessary.

• Once you're in the Editor, you can walk through the project and add comments for your customer to see in the Messages tool. And when you're ready to send the project, just click the Send button.

• The best part? Your customer will continue to receive email updates throughout the quote process, helping them adopt the Boardera platform and keep coming back to your supplier site.

Search Results Count

Introducing the new project count feature for our Product Search widget! Now, when you use the Product Search widget, you'll be able to see the number of projects returned. This visual indicator will help both new and experienced customers alike in different ways.

For new customers, the project count provides a second indicator that their previously quoted projects are not on our platform. This can help ease any concerns or uncertainties they may have about finding their work on our platform.

For experienced customers, the project count helps them decide how much time they want to spend looking through the results or if they should refine their search criteria to get a shorter list of results.

Subtotal added to cart

As a customer, you may have found it confusing that there was no subtotal in the add-to-cart modal, and that the values did not add up directly. Introducing the new subtotal feature in our add-to-cart modal. Customers will now be able to see the exact total of their purchase, calculated by multiplying the unit price with the quantity.

Bug Fixes & Improvements:

• Previously, when a new project was created without a quantity, if a Customer submitted an RFQ it would not be visible on the quotes page. Now, an RFQ cannot be triggered without a quantity.

• Previously, if a manufacturer triggered the RFQ on behalf of the Customer, the RFQ would be in the Manufacturer user's name who triggered the RFQ and the Customer would not receive the RFQ email. However, with our new update, the RFQ email will now be sent to the user whom the manufacturer account switched, ensuring that your Customer continues to receive emails as the quote moves through the workflow.

April 26, 2023

Features:

Download the Boardera BOM from the RFQ Response

Our latest release includes the ability for a Manufacturer to download the Boardera BOM pricing and sourcing spreadsheet to streamline the entire procurement process. With this download, you can easily review the pricing and sourcing details from the Boardera project to ensure you can purchase all the parts at those prices from the right distributors. This feature is especially useful when you need to manually respond to a quote with confidence, knowing that you have accurate pricing and sourcing information at your fingertips.

You no longer need to formulate a BOM spreadsheet on your own outside of Boardera as part of that RFQ process. Our tool does it all for you! Say goodbye to the hassle of manual BOM spreadsheets and hello to a faster, more efficient process.

Updated manufacturer PO PDF

The Purchase Order has been updated to accurately reflect the Sales Order, removing any reference to Boardera fees.

Our Purchase Order update is designed to meet your accounting team's specific needs, now they’ll be able to see payment terms and whether payment has been made at a glance, which will save them time and help ensure accurate invoicing.

Ability to generate self-serve quotes in the editor

We understand that managing RFQs can be a time-consuming and tedious process, which is why we developed this feature to decrease the number of RFQs and increase the number of self-serve quotes. With our new feature, the Quote button generates a PDF instead of the current RFQ behaviour, but only if the project is orderable (within the guidelines you configured in Pricing and Configurations). This ensures that your customer receives accurate quotes quickly and easily, without having to go through the RFQ process.

Additionally, if the project is orderable, you will receive an email notification that the customer has self-served a PDF, giving you real-time information about the quote status. This feature ensures that you're always up-to-date with the status of your quotes, which is critical to maintaining an efficient workflow.

If the project is not in an orderable state, the customer will be directed to the standard RFQ process.

Bug Fixes & Improvements:

• Clicking the Quote button in the checkout cart now generates the PDF quote.

• Before, if a BOM was missing a part number, we would hide it in the BOM overview. Now, the row will be visible in the overview but in an error state prompting the customer to either enter the part number, remove the component or skip the error.

• In the BOM overview, we now show the Accept Large Purchase checkbox when a part is not in stock and the customer has selected Accept Long Delivery or Substitutions Accepted. This means that customers can easily indicate their willingness to accept larger purchases when a part is not readily available, which can help streamline the purchasing process and reduce delays.

April 11, 2023

Features:

Updates to the RFQ process

As a manufacturer, do you ever feel overwhelmed by a barrage of identical RFQs flooding your inbox? We've got you covered! Our latest update disables the Quote button if an RFQ is still in progress, ensuring that you won't be bombarded with unnecessary quote requests. Plus, we've added some hover-over text that will remind your customer of the date when they requested the quote and direct them to their Quotes Page to review the status.

We’ve also updated the RFQ modals to only show the Known Issues if there are any issues to report.

The RFQ response modal has also been updated to reflect the current pricing state when an RFQ is pending; ensuring that you have the most up-to-date information when responding to an RFQ.

Updates to the Board Layer Widget

We’ve updated our Board Layer widget to make it even more user-friendly and intuitive. We’ve moved the Layers input from the Board Options widget to the Board Layer widget and renamed it to Layer Count, making it easier for customers to see and modify the stack-up. With a tooltip added beside the Board Layers heading, users can access helpful information, and the pencil icon makes it clear which fields are editable.

We want feedback!

Customers can now provide feedback on demand with our newly designed and relocated Feedback icon, which is now consistently placed on all pages, hovering on the bottom right-hand side of the screen. Additionally, we have implemented an automatic toast notification that is clickable and launches the feedback modal, presenting itself on their second login or when they create their first project and navigate back to My Projects.

For manufacturers, having a constant feedback icon ensures that all Boardera software feedback is sent directly to Boardera, freeing you to focus on what you do best.

Easily go back to the Assembly Question in the Editor

We understand that sometimes mistakes happen, and customers may accidentally select “Yes” to the Assembly without a valid BOM or XYRS file. Our latest update solves this problem by adding a Cancel button to the Part Sourcing widget. This allows users to return to the Assembly question and ensure that their order is accurate and meets their needs.

More flexibility in managing email communication

Now, manufacturers can add multiple email addresses to the Sales Contact fields in their company profile, allowing for easier communication with the right employees and distribution lists. Each field can now accommodate up to five email addresses, making it easier to ensure that all necessary individuals are included in the communication loop. Go to the - Company Info now and take advantage of this new feature to enhance your email communication capabilities.

More info on the Sales Order

We have added the email address of the user that submitted the order on the Sales Order. This minor update makes it easier for you to track and manage your orders, providing you with more comprehensive information at a glance.

Bug Fixes & Improvements:

• Clicking the Remove button in the cart now instantly removes the product from the cart without requiring a page refresh.

• The Accept Large Purchase checkbox will be displayed when the component sourcing is set to Accept Long Delivery. This means that customers can quickly and easily select the option to accept large purchases for components without any additional steps.

• Previously, project files downloaded from the dashboard were flattened, meaning that all files were in the root directory, which made it difficult to manage and navigate. Now, downloaded projects now maintain and rebuild their original folder structure, as expected.

March 14, 2023

Features:

Updated Landing Pages

My Projects, Quotes and Orders pages have been updated with new landing pages which are designed to bring focus to new Designers to upload their project to quickly receive feedback, pricing and communication on all projects .

Sample project is now available in My Projects!

We’ve added a fully configured sample project that Designers can access at anytime. This is a great way to introduce Designers to the platform to show the quality and benefits of what the platform can offer.

Updated Editor

After the project has been uploaded, the last step in the Editor has been updated to visually indicate to the Designer the next steps, to either proceed with placing the ORDER or to request a formal QUOTE.

• We’ve also removed the footer to provide even more room for the rendered image.

• The Part Sourcing modal has been enhanced with a more robust Search, sort capabilities and the quantity (including attrition) for each component!

• As a manufacturer, the Request for Quote (RFQ) Response modal has been updated to provide more information about the project’s current state. Now, you can quickly view:

  • If the Designer fully defined the project

  • Last Updated Date and By

  • BOM Risk

  • Clicking on View BOM will launch you into the project to view the BOM sourcing modal
    
    

Simplified Login and Registration Pages

We’ve heard your feedback and have simplified our Registration and Login pages. We’ve removed the Phone Number and Password confirmation field on the Registration page and the mention of the Boardera Sign-in Id from both pages. We believe these changes will improve user experience.

Updates to the PO PDF and Email

• The manufacturer versions of the PO PDF and Email has been updated to better define who the “Bill to” is in the PO process. The process has not changed, we just wanted to add further clarification.

Bug Fixes & Improvements:

• The Project Editor’s performance has been enhanced!

• Added intelligence to ODB++ placement Parsing making import even easier.

• Updated our BOM attrition calculation to better account for thru-hole components with minimal order quantity.

February 16, 2023

Features:

• As a manufacturer, you can now issue a Change Order in the form of a charge or partial refund on a customer order. We added this feature as it’s common for unexpected details to come up after an order has been processed that impact the price. Note: at this time a full refund is not possible via a Change Order submission; if needed, please contact support@boardera.ca for assistance.

• When reviewing the Part Sourcing modal for a specific component, if the component is sourced from Cofactr, the logo will now take the user to the part search page within Cofactr (Note: the user must have Cofactr credentials).

• As a customer, when uploading a new project that has multiple ODB++ projects in the zip, we will now show an Invalid Files message and ask the customer to upload a single version of the project.

• We’ve made a quick update to the sequence of the options in the Status dropdown on the Orders page. This was done to better represent the typical flow that would take place when processing an order.
  
  

Bug Fixes & Improvements:

• We’ve updated a minor typo on the Sales Center Privacy Policy document under Questions and Comments, the email has been updated to info@boardera.ca.

• As a manufacturer, when reviewing the Share UI, the Help link for our Implementation guide has been updated.

• As a manufacturer, when account switched into a customers account, viewing a project and returning back to the manufacturer view could result in a list of errors. This has been resolved.

• When a customer requests help or a quote and a manufacturer has an invalid email in their Company Info set up, we will continue to create the request and send emails to valid addresses.

• On the My Projects page, projects with long descriptions will no longer shift the “View Only, Download or Delete icons.

• The Status search on the Orders page now shows results based on the selection from the dropdown.

• As a manufacturer, sometimes an error occurred when downloading a project for an order, this has been resolved.

January 30, 2023

Features:

• We have updated the legal documents regarding the usage of the platform for all user types.  They can be found within your profile.  In addition to updated documentation and access to them at all times via the profile, the documents will be branded accordingly to represent agreements between the 3 parties involved with the platform and the transaction that take place on it. 

• We will now automatically account for BOM part attrition by calculating the extra or minimum parts required for a project.

• The Country of Origin (CoO) will now appear in the following places:

  • The CoO will be visible on the Quote, Sales Order and Purchase Order under the notes/comments section(s), as well as during the checkout process on the Approval and Confirmation screens.

  • When the manufacturer is a PCB Fabricator or Both (PCB Fabricator + EMS Supplier)

    • CoO Assembly will be based on the manufacturer’s listed manufacturing address.

    • CoO baseboard will be displayed as Any.

  • When a manufacturer is EMS-only, the customer will be able to select the preferred base board CoO during the Add to Cart process, this choice is handy for the customer if they need the board to be made locally or have a rush order. Options are: Any or the customer can choose a country of an alternative PCB Fabricator (that is also a Boardera supplier).

• The login page has been updated to provide additional context to a new Customer as to why they are they should create an account.

Bug Fixes & Improvements:

• We’ve enhanced our header detection when parsing the BOM to increase our success rate (it’s even better than before!).

• Forgot password emails will now come from support@boardera.ca instead of sales@boardera.ca.

• As a Manufacturer, if editing an address from Canada to another country, the Province will automatically clear when the country is switched.

• When loading a new project, the tooltip is now right justified to ensure all the help text is easily visible.

January 13, 2023

Features:

• As a customer, large BOM items with a minimum purchase will now be identified during the quote creation process. Customers can choose to “Accept Large Purchase” items or choose another option from the Sourcing Options dropdown.

• When in the Project Editor, assigning a file to a layer is even easier with a new Suggested Files section as well as the ability to quickly see which files are already assigned and which are not. Hovering over will show the assigned layer; those files without do not have an assigned layer.

Bug Fixes & Improvements:

• The Purchase Order PDF now shows the supplier-specific tax %.

• As a manufacturer, when previewing pricing results, sample packages can now successfully be deleted.

• Expired quotes that were not recently entered will now show at the bottom of the Quotes page alongside other expired quotes.

• As a manufacturer, your company logo will now appear again on Quote and Order Acknowledgement PDFs.

January 6, 2023

Bug Fixes & Improvements:

• After a manufacturer has actioned a Request for Quote, the quote status will automatically update to show as Ready.

• When editing a BOM part number, the field remains active so you can type the full part number without the need for any double clicks.

• The pricing tooltips now show the applicable currency label.

• As a manufacturer, when entering or updating my address, the provinces and states are now listed in alphabetical order.

January 4, 2023

Features:

As a manufacturer, thresholds have been added to both Bareboard and Assembly configurations to further align your manufacturing and pricing processes. These thresholds can be found in Capabilities – under Self-Serve Ordering Limits.

Bug Fixes & Improvements:

• The custom board thickness works as expected when in the Project Editor.        

December 30, 2022

Bug Fixes & Improvements:

• When creating a project, the project editor has been enhanced to clearly show which steps are optional when placing an order.

December 22, 2022

Features:

BOM Updates - The BOM supplied after an order is placed is even richer, with added pricing breakdown, package type and sourcing/distributor information. Check it out after the next order is placed.

Bug Fixes & Improvements:

• BOM Parsing Constant Improvements - better-automated identification of DNP parts and selection of MPN data.

• Check it out page - closing the pricing results flyout is now easier.

• Improved Signal Layer automation for auto-assignment.

December 14, 2022

Features:

• Better assembly component global search. We have expanded our partnerships for component data, meaning more results, better results and better coverage to answer the questions; does the part exist? Can it be procured? How much does it cost? This will ensure that vetting on the BOM is done prior to online orders.

• As a manufacturer, you can now send invites to add admins from your team to PCBSalesCenter to assist with Customers. See “My Team” in the Settings Area:

• As a customer, asking for help from the editor now automatically creates a Messages thread, making it easy for a Manufacturer to communicate about that project and the help required.

• As a manufacturer, you will now see a clear warning before committing to a Quote response.

• As a customer, you can now order very small PCBs (2mm min).

Bug Fixes & Improvements:

• As a manufacturer, editing the Delivery Date on an Order now works as expected.

• As a customer, you will no longer have access to download Pending Quotes, which can cause confusion. You need to wait for a response first.

• The Project Editor’s performance has been enhanced!

• As a manufacturer, the Quotes (RFQ) email sent to you will no longer have base pricing summaries in it if the originating project does not imply a valid request for PCBs and/or Assembly work.

• Tooltips that provide pricing breakdowns now work as expected.

• Added intelligence to XYRS Auto Parsing making import easier.

• General performance improved.

• As a manufacturer, the Orders page Search tool is working more effectively.

• As a manufacturer, you will now see the name of the Customer in all cases on the Orders page, instead of a potential company name.

• As a customer, uploading files with nothing in them will now be handled appropriately as invalid files.

• As a manufacturer, we will no longer state “No Warnings” in emails where there are warnings.

• When highlighting text from a modal, it will not close itself if you highlight beyond the text field.