Component Chooser will allow engineers to streamline searches and accurately select electronic components using a unique set of features, including side-by-side comparison of products in our database. By implementing this new tool, the company has doubled the number of search attributes across its component range and fully standardized its terminology.
According to Mark Cundle, Technical Marketing Director at RS: “While numerous parametric search tools are available, most are from individual manufacturers and cover only their own components. With a stock profile of the most commonly used devices from major manufacturers, RS is ideally positioned to offer a comprehensive, independent search and comparison tool. The challenge of finding and defining the most appropriate comparable parameters for the vast number of different components available in the industry is a complex and difficult task, and until now, no company had succeeded in offering a truly comprehensive tool. Component Chooser is a completely innovative tool from RS that redefines the customer-distributor relationship by offering a powerful solution for engineers who previously had to search multiple sites and by normalizing data from different manufacturers that were not directly comparable.”.
Component Chooser categorizes components based on 5 million search attributes. Customers can search across all attributes and compare products side-by-side. Search results also include technical documentation, such as datasheets and 3D models (for products that offer this feature). This tool was launched in a multilingual format in Europe and Asia-Pacific in April 2010 and will link to other online design tools introduced by RS, which aim to support engineers at every stage of the design process. The technology ranges covered by this tool will be expanded throughout the year, and Component Chooser will be available on multiple platforms.
The Component Chooser is one of three new tools introduced to help engineers with an authoritative online environment that supports their most cutting-edge designs. In addition to the Component Chooser, RS has unveiled its new library of free, certified 3D CAD models and also introduced updates to its embedded development platform. Throughout this year, RS will expand this platform with the introduction of free PCB design tools so engineers can complete the entire design process using RS's online tools and interact live with other engineers and RS's technical support team during the process.
