In December of 2012, Smart Modular Technologies decided to establish a semiconductor device programming services center (PSC) business unit. After some careful supplier evaluation, Smart chose BPM Microsystems state of the art 8th Generation Programmers as our dedicated solution for device programming. BPM Microsystems demonstrated itself as the leading programming equipment manufacturer by providing solutions through its state of the art hardware, software, and technical support. BPM programmers displayed excellent programming yield, high-performance device handling, advanced serialization and quality control, ensuring device programming with maximum speed and accuracy. Within 6 months of the formulation of PSC, Smart had acquired, installed, and qualified for production eight BPM 3800 fully self-contained automated programmers. Each 3800 is equipped with tray and tape input/output device handlers and integrated laser marking.
Smart operates PSC 24 x 7 with predictable, reliable, and efficient production. Smart has to date successfully programmed and shipped more than 58 million devices to customers worldwide meeting our customer’s schedule requirement with near zero customer-reported issues. Smart achieved this with BPM’s technical support team, which promptly and professionally resolves technical issues, provides training, and augmentation for new device development support requests.
Smart benefitted from excellent BPM technical features. Using BPM’s application programming interface (API) to the BPWin software, Smart developed our internal application SmartMaster™. SmartMaster™ automatically controls BPWin, loads programming master files from our global centralized control area, and interfaces to shop floor control, all from machine read bar-coded work orders. This has provided Smart with a unique competitive advantage in device programming.
Knowing BPM has once again advanced further in technology with the innovation and release of 9th Generation series of programmers, we are looking forward to furthering success with these new products and a long-term partnership to benefit us all in years ahead. In fact, Smart has already ordered a 3900, augmenting our internal capacity.