Why Country of Origin Is a Key Part of Supply Chain Intelligence

With today’s constant supply chain volatility, country of origin has evolved from a simple label to a strategic data point in managing electronic component risk. Geopolitical tensions, trade regulations, and shifting tariffs can all impact component cost and availability. Knowing where parts come from empowers manufacturers to proactively assess vulnerabilities and make informed decisions.

In a previous post, Product Manager Nathan Ng explained how Arena Supply Chain Intelligence (SCI) gives product teams a clear picture of emerging electronic component risk through real-time insights like compliance details, lifecycle status, alternative parts, and country of origin.

Here, we reconnect with Nathan to learn how the latest SCI enhancements in Arena PLM and QMS bring country-of-origin data to the forefront, so you can act faster.

HOW HAS ARENA SCI EVOLVED TO MAKE COUNTRY-OF-ORIGIN DATA MORE ACCESSIBLE?

Nathan: Previously, country of origin was visible through a lookup in the Arena supplier item’s detailed view. We’ve now elevated it to a core attribute in the basic information section of supplier items. This means users can see country of origin immediately. This visibility empowers teams to act faster and with greater confidence.

CAN USERS SEARCH AND SORT SUPPLIER ITEMS BY COUNTRY OF ORIGIN?

Nathan: Yes. Users can perform advanced searches using country of origin as a filter and then add it as a column in their custom search layouts and data summary widgets. You can even sort the results alphabetically. This is especially useful when reviewing supplier items at risk or analyzing bills of materials (BOMs) for potential vulnerabilities. It’s all about giving our customers the tools to surface risk indicators quickly and intuitively.

HOW DOES THIS ENHANCEMENT INTEGRATE WITH BOM RISK VIEWS?

Nathan: We’ve added the country-of-origin column directly into the BOM risk sub view. This allows product teams to assess risk in the context of their entire BOM, not just individual components. They can now see where each part originates while simultaneously evaluating its risk level. This holistic approach streamlines decision-making and helps organizations prioritize mitigation efforts.

SPEAKING OF MITIGATION, WHAT’S NEW IN ARENA SCI’S RISK MITIGATION WORKFLOW?

Nathan: One of the most exciting updates is the ability to directly save alternative components into your workspace. With just a few clicks, you can import an alternative component, auto-populate key details like supplier item number and description, and even create a new supplier if needed—all within the same workflow.

THAT SOUNDS LIKE A MAJOR TIME-SAVER. HOW DOES ARENA ENSURE DATA ACCURACY DURING THIS PROCESS?

Nathan: Arena automatically checks whether the alternative component already exists in your workspace. If it does, we display a warning to prevent duplication. We also suggest suppliers based on the component’s manufacturer and populate relevant fields to reduce manual entry. Once created, the new supplier item is automatically scanned for risk, and country-of-origin data is included. It’s a seamless experience that ensures consistency and accuracy.

HOW DOES THIS UPDATE SUPPORT BROADER SUPPLY CHAIN RESILIENCE?

Nathan: By making country-of-origin data more visible and actionable, we’re helping companies build more resilient supply chains. They can identify high-risk components early, evaluate alternatives, and make strategic sourcing decisions. This is essential in industries where compliance, traceability, and risk mitigation are non-negotiable. Arena SCI gives teams the insights they need to stay ahead of disruptions.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR ARENA SCI IN THIS SPACE?

Nathan: Our goal is to continuously expand the capabilities of Arena SCI so that users can manage risk more proactively and efficiently. We’re exploring adding risk-related information, such as country of origin, to Arena Analytics to make these insights even more powerful.

Closing Thoughts:

By surfacing country-of-origin data and streamlining risk mitigation workflows, Arena SCI empowers teams to make smarter, faster decisions. As Nathan states, “It’s all about giving users the tools to act with confidence.” With more enhancements on the horizon, Arena SCI is shaping the future of resilient, data-driven supply chains.