Celebrating a Decade of Innovation: The 10th Anniversary of Converge’s Future of Obsolescence Management (FOM)
The challenge of obsolescence has become a universal concern—one that transcends sectors and impacts businesses globally. We’re thrilled to announce the 10th anniversary of Converge’s thought leadership community, the Future of Obsolescence Management (FOM), which was created to tackle this very issue. Over the past decade, FOM has been a beacon for collaboration, learning, and actionable solutions in the face of obsolescence challenges.
The Birth of FOM: A Vision for the Future
Ten years ago, Converge set out to build something truly transformative—a global community designed to manage the complexities of obsolescence across the electronics supply chain. FOM was established to foster open dialogue among key players from distribution, manufacturing, testing, engineering, digital innovation, design, and open market solutions. Its mission is simple but powerful: to bring synergy and transparency to the ongoing issues surrounding obsolescence. By creating an open space for collaboration, sharing insights, and exchanging solutions, FOM sought to pave the way forward for everyone connected to this challenge.
A Platform for Openness and Collaboration
The true purpose of FOM is not just to facilitate discussions but to foster trust. Unlike traditional industry events, FOM is a community rooted in trust and authenticity, encouraging participants to share real-world experiences, knowledge, and ideas for the greater good. With the support of Arrow and its family of companies, FOM provides not just thought leadership but valuable insight into actionable solutions—ranging from data-driven approaches to securing critical components and planning for long-term storage.
Who is FOM For?
FOM is, and always has been, open to everyone connected to obsolescence in the electronics industry. From suppliers and distributors to OEMs, EMS companies, and engineers, FOM offers value to anyone impacted by obsolescence issues. At its heart, the community recognizes that obsolescence is never a challenge for one group alone—it’s an interconnected issue requiring collaboration across industries and verticals.
A Decade of Progress: From Amsterdam to the World
The journey of FOM began with its inaugural event in Amsterdam, where we first hosted an open forum on obsolescence. From the modest beginning, the community has grown into a trusted and respected global presence, hosting events across EMEA, the U.S., and APAC, including Los Angeles, Washington D.C., Dallas, Boston, the UK, Germany, and Shanghai. FOM has attracted some of the most respected minds in the Hi-Rel space, from aviation and government sectors to automotive, aerospace, and medical. This growth highlights the universal importance of addressing obsolescence and demonstrates FOM’s role as both a thought leader and a trusted partner.
Why Global Engagement Matters
Obsolescence is a universal challenge that touches all industries, from defense to healthcare to automotive. By fostering collaboration across multiple sectors, FOM enables participants to learn from one another and explore solutions that can serve diverse applications. For example, knowledge from digital innovations in one field may offer solutions to data management challenges in another. This cross-pollination of ideas is the cornerstone of FOM and Converge’s mission to “Solve the Future.”
Looking Back: The Role of Arrow and FOM
From day one, Arrow Electronics and its subsidiary companies have been integral to the success of FOM. Arrow’s extensive expertise in areas like data management, engineering, design, and open market services has provided participants with critical resources and insights to tackle their obsolescence challenges. The collaboration between Arrow and FOM exemplifies the power of partnership in addressing industry-wide issues.
Investing in the Future: Advancing Quality, People, and Industry Readiness
At Converge, we believe in turning challenges into opportunities. Through our collaboration with the Future of Obsolescence Management (FOM) community, we’ve not only facilitated critical discussions but also taken proactive steps to address the industry’s evolving needs. By investing in infrastructure, expertise, and global standards, we’re ensuring that obsolescence management remains agile, responsive, and future-focused.
A key area of investment has been the enhancement of quality assurance systems. The evolution of standards such as AS6081 to AS6171 and the growing importance of ISO 17025 lab certifications have reinforced the need for rigorous testing and inspection protocols. To address these requirements, Converge has built a Hi-Rel lab equipped with advanced tools and staffed by expert engineers. These facilities ensure supply chain integrity across high-reliability sectors such as aerospace, defense, and automotive, directly responding to the challenges highlighted within the FOM community.
We’ve also invested heavily in people—building a team of highly qualified engineers and technical specialists who bring unparalleled expertise to obsolescence management. Through advanced training, qualifications, and certifications, our team is equipped to meet the growing complexities of the electronics industry and provide innovative solutions to our partners.
Additionally, the global mergers and acquisitions (M&A) environment, which has transformed semiconductor manufacturing, is now impacting the test and inspection landscape. These shifts create new risks and challenges for obsolescence supply chains and Converge is adapting by leveraging insights from FOM to refine our practices and ensure the integrity of sourcing, testing, and distribution processes.
Our investments in quality systems, certifications, and talent demonstrate that we are more than just hosts of the FOM community—we are active participants reacting to industry challenges in real time. Together with our peers, we’re driving meaningful progress to safeguard supply chains and elevate obsolescence management for the future.
Looking Toward the Future
As we celebrate this 10-year milestone, we look toward the future with ambition and determination. Over the next decade, we aim to grow even further—reaching new markets, expanding regional shows, and continuing to lead the way in independent distribution solutions for obsolescence challenges.
The next FOM show will center on emerging market challenges in an ever-changing world, focusing on how new standards and innovations are shaping obsolescence management. We’re also committed to redeveloping regional connections, ensuring that FOM remains accessible and impactful at every level.
Join Us
Whether you’ve been with us since Amsterdam or are new to the community, FOM welcomes you. Together, we can tackle the challenges of obsolescence head-on, building a future of innovation, resilience, and shared success.
Here’s to another decade of solving the future—together.
Do you work in an industry impacted by obsolescence? Join the FOM community today and become part of the global conversation shaping tomorrow’s solutions. Stay tuned for updates on upcoming events and initiatives as we chart the next chapter of this journey.
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