The distribution landscape has changed significantly in recent years due to the strong internationalization and segmentation of the market. Challenges such as the shortage of components and thus increased prices as well as longer delivery times for some components have also been added in some areas.

However, at 44%, the vast majority of those surveyed by Reichelt Elektronik are of the opinion that electronic projects are easier to carry out today than they were five to ten years ago. 12 % state that they are facing greater difficulties today than in the past; 37 % have not noticed any significant change.

The ease is mainly due to the wider range of products available from distributors (71%) and the increased performance of components (61%) - and therefore a greater variety of options for using the components. The results also reflect the fact that younger professionals aged 18 to 24 in particular (71%) also rely on online resources such as communities and building instructions in their professional environment. The Raspberry Pi is a good example of a product whose great popularity in the industrial environment is not least due to a flourishing online community.

Aggravating factors during project implementation

Despite these positive changes, those responsible for the planning and implementation of electronic projects repeatedly encounter challenges that, in the worst case, can even lead to the failure of the project. For example, around a third of those surveyed have already had to cancel a project because the required components were not available or were too expensive.

Those responsible are also confronted with the following difficulties:

• Development cycles are getting shorter and shorter (47%)
• Many components are not of high quality (42%)
• The distributor replaces the manufacturer, which changes the product characteristics (33%)
• Ordered goods do not arrive or arrive too late, leading to production downtime (31%)
• Incorrect or insufficient technical information from the manufacturer (30%)

When it comes to the factors that make electronic projects more difficult nowadays, there is a discrepancy between the respondents according to gender: While men primarily consider the quality of components (46%), women overwhelmingly criticize the quality of today's components (69%).

Quality before quantity

Overall, customers are primarily satisfied when purchasing electronic components:

• If the quality of the components is very good (56%)
• If they got the best price (43%)
• If all components fit together well and there are no compatibility problems (43%)
• If the required components are all in stock and are delivered quickly (41 %)
• If they receive good and competent advice (38 %)
• If they can be sure that the required components will be delivered (delivery reliability) (37 %)
• If they can easily access competent advice (good product descriptions, easy-to-find hotline number) (32%)
• If customer-specific needs can be met with innovative products (30%)

While good and competent advice is particularly important to the younger age group (18-24), more experienced employees attach particular importance to the quality of the components. At around 62%, a significant proportion of 35 to 44-year-olds consider this feature to be the most important criterion when purchasing.