FAQs
SolutionSource™ FAQs
We have received an overwhelming number of emails and phone calls since the unveiling of the SolutionSource™ supplier directory and Design-Aware™ parametric search engine. Please read on for answers to the most frequently asked questions sent in by our many readers and by those wishing to purchase a listing page in our supplier directory.The following FAQ is being presented in response to the many calls and emails we have received since the unveiling of the SolutionSource™ supplier directory and Design-Aware™ parametric search engine on February 19th, 2008.
1. Why is SolutionSource™ not an active link on the SCDsource navigation bar? 2. I receive the weekly SCDsource newsletter – doesn’t that mean I’m already registered? 3. I don’t have to register to read the News & Analysis page at SCDsource, so why do I need to register in order to view ... 4. I just registered, but I still can’t get into the SolutionSource™ supplier directory – what did I do wrong? 5. I just registered and can now use the SolutionSource navigation button, but when searching my areas of interest ... 6. Your registration process asks me for my complete contact information, job function, and what my technical interests are ... 7. Will you release my registration information or member profile to anyone? 8. What does SCDsource membership provide me? 9. If I want to have my say in the future phased development of SCDsource, what can I do? 10. Why should I participate in an upcoming SCDsource Focus Group study?
1. Why is SolutionSource™ not an active link on the SCDsource navigation bar?
The SolutionSource™ web page is now live and contains an early sampling of design verification and fabrication suppliers for your review. Many more suppliers will be added after March 17th, 2008, so please check back often to find new solutions added to the decision tree.If SolutionSource™ does not appear as an active link on the SCDsource navigation bar, then it is because you have not yet registered. Please do so now at: www.scdsource.com/registration.php.
2. I receive the weekly SCDsource newsletter – doesn’t that mean I’m already registered?
Receipt of the weekly SCDsource newsletter should not be interpreted as evidence of your site registration. If you have a working log-in ID and password, you are a registered member of the site. If not, please register now!3. I don’t have to register to read the News & Analysis page at SCDsource, so why do I need to register in order to view the SCDsource SolutionSource™ directory and use the Design-Aware™ parametic search engine?
SCDsource is a unique online community that offers special benefits to its registered members. One of the unique benefits is our ‘members-only’ access to the SolutionSource™ directory and Design-Aware™ parametic search engine. Once registered, you will be continually recognized by our site as a SCDsource member. When new member benefits are rolled out, your registration ensures that you will be able to enjoy them immediately!4. I just registered, but I still can’t get into the SolutionSource™ supplier directory – what did I do wrong?
Once you have completed your registration form and hit “submit,” an automated response is generated seeking to confirm your email address. Please be sure to check for that automated response and to confirm your email address as valid. After that, your user ID and password will allow you immediate access to all of the registered member pages.If you did not supply a user ID and password during registration, or if you did not fully complete your registration, you will not receive an automated response confirming your email address. This means that you are NOT registered.
Once you are registered, the site will recognize you as a registered user allowing you to return again and again without re-entering your log-in or password.
5. I just registered and can now use the SolutionSource navigation button, but when searching my areas of interest, the supplier directory either offered just a few solution providers, or none at all – why?
This situation is only temporary. We rushed to post a few suppliers in the SolutionSource directory so that we could provide working demonstrations of the parametric search engine at DVCon. We have many more companies waiting in the queue to be included in the supplier directory – and we thank them for their patience as we do further testing on our online shopping cart and make some value-added adjustments to the formats of the listing pages.Please keep coming back and checking the search tree for new solution providers and other content in your areas of interest. By March 17th, 2008 we hope to have our online purchasing system up and fully functional. With the new online system, vendors can purchase, populate and preview their listing page and banner advertising options in mere minutes.
6. Your registration process asks me for my complete contact information, job function, and what my technical interests are - why do you need to know all this?
We ask for this information in an effort to get to know you better so that we can serve you better. By surveying our readers in this way, and by continuing to work with focus groups comprised of design engineers and their management, we can further our goals of meeting your discriminating news and information needs.We also use this information to help us understand the demographics of our readers so we can drive our editorial focus in a way that better meets their needs.
7. Will you release my registration information or member profile to anyone?
We value the privilege of contacting you via email, and never release your email address or any of your personal contact information to ANYONE. You may opt-out of any SCDsource email correspondence with each email you receive.8. What does SCDsource membership provide me?
Registered membership with SCDsource entitles you to the following:Ready access to the SolutionSource™ supplier directory:
Powered by our Design-Aware™ parametric search engine, this supplier sponsored directory enables engineers to quickly and easily find what they need, when they need it.
SCDsource™ weekly newsletters:
Our Editor-in-Chief’s pick of top feature stories, contributed technical articles, Expert's Corner advice, breaking news (on new companies, new technologies, new products or emerging industry trends), overviews of key research, opinion pieces and more.
Industry Access newsfeeds:
Information on upcoming conferences and key technical events in areas of your specified interest
SolutionSource™ announcements:
Hot breaking technology news or special product offers from only those suppliers providing solutions in the areas of your specified interest.
SCDsource™ Special Reports:
In-depth technical studies delivered automatically to our members based upon their areas of specified interest.
Additional unique member benefits will be unveiled over time.
9. If I want to have my say in the future phased development of SCDsource, what can I do?
SCDsource was born from the minds of engineers for the minds of engineers. To let us know your opinions on existing web site features and functionality, or to share with us your thoughts and ideas on what should be included in future SCDsource site development, please send email to the Publisher.To participate in one of our upcoming Focus Groups, send email to Focus Group. Please be sure to indicate your areas of interest in the body of the email as well as your complete contact information so that we may follow up with you regarding an appropriate SCDsource focus group study.
10. Why should I participate in an upcoming SCDsource Focus Group study?
Study group participants have enjoyed a variety of benefits from their SCDsource Focus Group involvement. Among the many benefits participants have identified are:- Meeting your peers and hearing their thoughts and concerns on important engineering issues of the day
- Learning how other engineers in your given area of expertise are dealing with emerging design challenges
- Exchanging real world experiences with new tools, new technologies or new design techniques
- Exploring ideas on how to choose a new supplier, work better with your suppliers and what to look for when sourcing best-in-class solutions to design challenges
- Examining pain points within the design flow where vendors can add much needed solutions or greater value
- Influencing the future course and direction of SCDsource and its list of community member benefits