What's good about Capture-CIS Digi-Key Integration?

Cadence® Design Systems’ OrCAD® Capture CIS customers now have access to the wealth of engineering data offered in the Digi-Key® part database. “Bringing Digi-Key data into the OrCAD environment means our customers have over one million orderable parts on the design desktop and available during part selection,” said Manny Marcano, president and CEO of EMA Design Automation. “Not only does this give them accurate information at their fingertips, but it streamlines the purchasing process by providing correct part numbers as part of the design engineering process.”

You can do a Google search to find a few articles describing this new integration. I like the details about the Component Information Portal (CIP) provided here.

I'd like to know from those who have (or are planning on using this new integration).

Take a look at this list:

• How will you work with the Purchasing/Procurement groups to control the data pulled from Digi-Key? With they have direct access to updating the CIS database? Or, will the Component Engineers do this?
• What processes do you use for engineers to request a new part - either from Digi-Key or elsewhere?
• Do you use special properties in the CIS database to denote a part can be added to a schematic (i.e. how do you denote and control preferred parts)?
• How do you work with the Component Information Portal (CIP)?
• Do you currently connect (static or dynamically) your CIS database with an in-house  ERP/MRP/PLM/PDM system?
• Do you maintain separate "libraries" or CIS databases - one for approved/preferred corporate parts and one that directly connects to Digi-Key for prototype/"what if" analysis?

I look forward to hearing from you! Please comment below.

Jerry GenPart