These parts are readily available. Currently, the company reports ample capacity and eight-week lead times in most cases. We're doubling our shipments from quarter to quarter, and we plan to have 10 times our current capacity by next year. Shortages have purchasers focusing on ensuring that designs accommodate more than one brand of flash chip. If you have a limited approved- vendor list, it can be a real problem.
Flash presents a couple of unique challenges to multiple sourcing.
Finding drop-in replacements is much harder than with other memory products. This can be traced partly to the use of electronic IDs, which allow an electronics manufacturer's code to be stored on the device. Converting to a different code can be a time-consuming process. In a shortage, people find ways to make that change. Then, too, flash devices require more involvement on the part of engineering and purchasing departments, because they are unique for each application.