Electronics technology solutions company, Parsec, recently consolidated all its activities into a custom-designed new facility located in Highveld Technopark, Centurion. The facility further complements the unique offerings of this one-stop design, development and production house.
The primary objective of Parsec is to enhance the competitiveness of its clients, which include research institutes, OEMs, product development houses as well as systems integrators in the defence, telecommunications and industrial markets. The offering of Parsec includes custom design and development services, manufacture and testing, qualification and mechanical integration through to the complete packaged product.
Core capabilities and skills include:
* System engineering, modelling, specification and architecture.
* Custom hardware and software development.
* Integration and testing through the integration of custom hardware and testing of sub-systems.
* Turnkey manufacturing, utilising SMD, through hole, prototype and production runs.
Board design is a key competency and includes high-speed digital design and analog and mixed signal integration. Designs are optimised to maximise signal integrity and minimise EMI. Parsec makes use of Mentor Graphics with its schematic capture and board layout tools.
Another critical speciality for Parsec is the design of FPGAs using VHDL with some designs exceeding three million gates. It is generally accepted that Parsec is a leading player in the programmable logic environment and as such, has presented training courses to over 400 local engineers. Parsec is a partner to numerous entities that require high-tech programmable logic designs.
The production facility is equipped towards meeting the assembly and production requirements of Parsec's partnered clients in the high-tech and high volume sectors. Parsec works closely with these partners to ensure its facility is able to cater for 'intelligent production' needs, that is, production that is based on strong engineering capabilities.
The company engages with its clients using various business models.
* Contract design and manufacturing services: The client pays in full and retains the intellectual property.
* Contract design manufacturing: Under this model the client receives discounted prices in exchange for Parsec obtaining one of the following:
- Production rights.
- First right of refusal on design, production, integration and support.
- Royalty rights on production units.
* Original design manufacturing: With this model the client pays for a portion of the design and Parsec elects to share risk or use existing Parsec intellectual property through:
- Design-in of Parsec products into client sub-systems.
- Development of a new Parsec product based on the client's requirement.
- Becoming the client's strategic partner rather than a subcontractor.
Parsec has developed a range of configurable in-house commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) compactPCI and PMC modules to complement and enhance its offerings. These modules are designed for manufacturability and testability and include:
* StarFabric-based cPCI PMC carrier modules.
* Dual PMC FPGA processing modules.
* PMC FPGA processing modules.
* Dual channel 14-bit ADC PMC modules.
* Dual channel 14-bit DAC PMC modules.
When Parsec manages the complete product life cycle the client's competitiveness is enhanced since development and production are not split, but become one continuum of activities. This saves management time in the areas of specification, control and subcontract management, and lowers the risk of communication breakdown.
Parsec has grown to become a substantial player in the local market, employing about 100 highly skilled personnel. As a privately-owned company most of the shareholders themselves actively participate in company activities. Managing director, Petrus Pelser, believes that people are key to the success of a high-tech company. Innovation is encouraged and outstanding performance is rewarded. Parsec is committed to building a truly South African company and subscribes to Employment Equity. About 35% of its employees are from previously-disadvantaged communities. The Board is in the final stages of negotiations with a BEE group that wishes to acquire a 25% stake in the company.
Parsec has been the recipient of several awards over the years, including the State President's Technology Top 100 Award for the 'Most Outstanding' small or medium enterprise in 2001, as well as an Award for 'Technology Excellence' in the information and communications technology sector. In 2002, Dekra certified Parsec ISO 9001:2000 compliant.
An exciting development for Parsec is that it has been accepted for support by CBI (Centre for the Promotion of Imports from Developing Countries), a Netherlands-based organisation that provides support for companies entering the EU. Parsec is one of 12 local electronics companies that met the strict criteria and will be exhibiting on the CBI stand at Electronica 2004 during November in Munich. A key drive in Parsec is collaboration between South African companies as a basis towards successful international competitiveness. Parsec is, however, no stranger to the global market and has a proven record of working with customers in the United States, Canada, Europe and Japan.
With its new modern premises Parsec has created a special work environment for its employees and has enhanced its capability for the benefit of its clients. Parsec is encouraged by the success of its collaboration and partnering strategy and expects this exciting growth path to continue.
For more information contact Elena Bielich, Parsec, +27 (0)12 678 9740.
| Tel: | +27 12 678 9740 |
| Email: | [email protected] |
| www: | www.etioncreate.co.za |
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