Corporate
Address
27 Journey Suite 100
Aliso Viejo Ca 92656
Phone
+1 (800) 234-9292
Email Address
support@centon.com
Opening Time
Mon-Fri: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
BOM Control
OEM Solutions › BOM Control
OEM Solutions
Two levels of control. One standard of quality.
Optima and Optima+ are controlled builds for DRAM and flash, with the same Centon quality and full lot traceability in both.
What is BOM control?
A locked build is a qualified build.
How much BOM control matters depends on the application. Some products only need form, fit and function to stay the same; others must ship exactly what was qualified, component for component.
Centon offers both, so you pay for the level of control your application actually needs.
Why it matters. Qualifying a product for a medical device, avionics system or industrial controller takes time and money. The right control level makes sure the product you approved never becomes something you did not expect.
Optima vs Optima+
Choose the build that fits your application.
S3 Series · Level C
Optima
Locked design, best price
LockedForm, fit, function and settings, critical components such as the flash controller, and the PCB design on DRAM.
Can changeDRAM or NAND chips, only to qualified equivalents. The part number stays the same.
LifecycleLonger. Equivalents replace end-of-life chips.
Choose if
- It is a business or commercial solution
- Qualified chip equivalents are acceptable
- You want the longest availability and best price
S4 Series · Level D
Optima+
Everything locked, true to what you qualified
LockedEvery key component, setting and product attribute.
Can changeNothing. Any change gets a new part number.
LifecycleShorter. If a locked part reaches end-of-life, a new part number is issued.
Choose if
- It is a mission-critical system
- It is formally qualified (FDA, DO-254, AEC-Q)
- Every lot must match the qualified build
Where they differ
DRAM vs flash.
Both series lock the PCB design and SPD settings on DRAM, and the controller and firmware settings on flash.
| Part of the build | Optima · Level C | Optima+ · Level D |
|---|---|---|
| DRAM: memory modules | ||
| DRAM chip brand and part number | Qualified equivalents | Locked |
| DRAM die revision | May vary | Locked |
| Support parts (SPD hub, PMIC, RCD on DDR5) | Qualified equivalents | Locked |
| Flash: SSD, eMMC, memory cards, USB drives | ||
| Controller | Locked | Locked |
| Firmware version | May update | Locked |
| NAND brand, part number and type (TLC, MLC, pSLC) | Qualified equivalents | Locked |
A real-life example
Chip A today, Chip B next quarter?
Today Chip A is the best-value DRAM chip for your module. Next quarter, Chip B, a qualified equivalent, is the better buy. Flash works the same way with NAND; the controller stays fixed on both series.
With Optima"Chip A now, an equivalent later is fine." You get Chip A today and Chip B next quarter, under the same part number and spec, at the best price.
With Optima+"Only Chip A, in every shipment." Every lot uses Chip A. Any change means a new part number.
Optima+ in practice
Four steps that protect a qualified design.
01
Component lock
Every key component is identified and locked at qualification. No substitutions.
02
New PN on every change
If a locked attribute changes, we issue a new part number, not a revision.
03
Full lot traceability
Every lot traces back to its component sources: the part, the lot and the supplier. Optima lots are traceable the same way.
04
Your design, protected
What you qualified is what ships, between every production run.
PCN management
A new part number, not a revision.
On Optima+, when a key component or attribute changes, Centon issues a new part number. Changes are always visible and nothing is a silent revision. The original part number stays valid, and you decide when, or whether, to move.
On Optima, DRAM or NAND chips can move to a qualified equivalent under the same part number, while form, fit, function, settings, the flash controller and the DRAM PCB design stay locked.
MEM-DDR4-8G-0001LOCKED
→MEM-DDR4-8G-0002NEW PN ISSUED
Who relies on it
Built for applications that cannot afford surprises.
Medical and life sciences
Re-qualification after a component change can take months. Optima+ removes that risk.
Avionics and defense
Regulatory and safety rules demand traceable, consistent components in every lot.
Industrial and embedded
Systems in the field run for years. Optima keeps them supplied; Optima+ keeps every lot identical.
Long-lifecycle products
Shipping for 5, 10 or 15+ years? Optima's qualified equivalents give the longest availability.
Applications
Where BOM control is standard practice.
Extended lifecycle
Medical devices
FDA-regulated devices, patient monitoring and diagnostic equipment, where component consistency is part of the regulatory record.
DO-254 / DO-178
Avionics
Flight management, navigation and in-flight computing, where every component in a certified build stays traceable.
Long-run production
Industrial control
PLCs, SCADA, factory automation and embedded controllers.
AEC-Q grade available
Automotive and transport
Connected vehicles, navigation, drive recorders and intelligent transport systems.
TAA compliant
Defense and government
Full supply chain traceability, TAA compliance and USA assembly.
Fleet-level consistency
Servers and infrastructure
Identical hardware across a large fleet means less complexity and fewer support issues.
Control levels
Choose the level of control you need.
Level A · Personal (Consumer Series)
Form, fit and function
For end users upgrading personal systems such as PCs and handheld devices. Cost-effective, with consistent performance.
Level B · Professional Series
Form, fit, function and settings
For businesses and integrators upgrading many devices or specifying higher-performance configurations.
Level C · Optima
PCB design, form, fit, function and settings
For integrators and builders who need design consistency at the best price point. Critical components such as the controller are fixed; DRAM or NAND may move to qualified equivalents.
Level D · Optima+
Components, settings and attributes
For system builders who need a fully controlled BOM. Every key component is locked, and nothing changes without a new part number.
Not sure which level fits? Tell us your application and qualification requirements, and our OEM team will recommend Optima or Optima+. Browse OEM solutions.
Ready to lock your build?
Tell us your application, product type and requirements. We typically reply within one business day.
Or call 800-234-9292, Monday to Friday.We’re here to help! Reach out to us with your inquiries, feedback, or support needs. Our team is ready to assist you.
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