Platform Economics: How to Chart a Cost-Effective Course

Decision, decisions, decisions! The new project is underway and the basic requirements have been defined. As the project moves into the design phase, one of the critical choices to make is “What platform are we going to use?”

In most cases, two seemingly opposing criterion are driving this decision; how to maximize performance in an ever competitive market while minimizing the costs to increase profit in a recessionary economy. If the CFO of your company hasn’t interjected on the costs of product development already, he or she will soon! With sales either down or flat in most market sectors, now more than ever, it is important to consider the Total Cost of Ownership in new product development. This paper discusses strategies to reduce costs at all levels, and how to best take advantage of new architectures such as MicroTCA™.