Audinate charts course through supply chain issues

With an increasing demand for electronics, supply chain issues dominated many conversations across the Infocomm show floor in Las Vegas. Aiming to elucidate the problem, Audinate staged a press conference to outline how it is dealing with component shortages and logistical issues to maintain its supply of components for its OEM partners.

Like so many others in the Pro AV industry, the company behind Dante digital audio networking is experiencing a record increase in demand as the world continues to recover from the pandemic. Unfortunately, the long process to ramp up semiconductor production that will fulfil extra capacity is not expected until 2024. In addition to supply being stunted by staffing issues, shipping and packaging disruptions, the Pro AV sector languishes in a queue for parts and components behind larger industries such as consumer electronics, automotive and military.

Audinate chief marketing officer Joshua Rush highlighted the sourcing of microprocessors to be the biggest challenge. While the company has successfully advocated for more supply for some parts, others are expected to be severely limited for most of the year. "We've taken several approaches to navigating the supply chain," explained Rush. “Audinate’s success is a testament to the fact that our strategy is working." Despite inconsistent shipments, Audinate reported it has shipped more of its chips, cards, and modules (CCMs) in 2022 than during the same 2021 period.

To address its supply chain issues, Audinate has employed several strategies to maintain its supply of components for its OEM partners. For example, the company has advocated to secure components on behalf of more than 500 manufacturers with licenced Dante solutions. Audinate has also redesigned key products to include more widely available parts.

Audinate senior vice president of product development, Chris Ware disclosed that the supply chain issues had initiated a move to the next generation. Originally marked for 2024, prototypes for the new Brooklyn 3 module are now being trialled with mass production expected to start in October. Additionally, the new Fremont 3 module is on a similar path and Audinate is also evaluating options for its Broadway and Ultimo modules.

Audinate has also encouraged some customers to migrate from hardware to more flexible software-based options, including its Dante Embedded Platform and Dante IP Core. Taking the stage, Q-SYS VP of product strategy and development, TJ Adams confirmed: “Audinate have been forward thinking throughout. We launched our Core 110 processors in 2014 and they are still relevant today and add value through software updates.”