# 360: Cats Love It!

- Show: [Embedded.fm](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm)
- Published: 2021-01-29
- Length: 1h 03m
- Episode: 360
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-01-29-360-cats-love-it
- Listen: https://embedded.fm/episodes/360

## Summary

Ben Hest of Digi-Key discusses the company's massive warehouse operations, logistics, and the current semiconductor shortage. He explains how Digi-Key manages inventory for both hobbyists and large enterprises, the challenges of part allocation, and the transition from physical catalogs to digital tools like the BOM Manager and TechForum. Hest also highlights new components like the Raspberry Pi Pico and Parallax Propeller 2, and offers advice on navigating supply chain constraints.

## Chapters

- [0:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-01-29-360-cats-love-it#t=7) Introduction and Digi-Key History
- [8:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-01-29-360-cats-love-it#t=504) Warehouse Operations and Automation
- [14:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-01-29-360-cats-love-it#t=844) Logistics, Shipping, and Inventory Management
- [29:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-01-29-360-cats-love-it#t=1752) Semiconductor Shortages and Allocation
- [37:53](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-01-29-360-cats-love-it#t=2273) Website Tools, Search, and Support
- [58:34](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-01-29-360-cats-love-it#t=3514) New Components and Future of Distribution

## Topics

- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Logistics & fulfilment](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/logistics-and-fulfillment)
- [EDA & CAD tools](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/eda-and-cad-tools)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Packaging design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/packaging-design)

## Most relevant to

large enterprises

## Mentioned

- Digi-Key (company)
- Raspberry Pi Pico (product)
- Parallax Propeller 2 (product)
- Adafruit (company)
- SnapEDA (tool)
- Ultra Librarian (tool)
- KiCad (tool)
- Geami paper (material)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Bringing Design Order to a Chaotic World: Insights From Top Execs at Digi-Key and Molex](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2022-09-27-bringing-design-order-to-a-chaotic-world-insights-from-top-execs-at-digi-key-and) (Moore's Lobby)
- [The Rodeo Drive of Electronics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2021-11-22-the-rodeo-drive-of-electronics) (The Amp Hour)
- [Two Dads Puzzlin Things Out](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2023-04-17-two-dads-puzzlin-things-out) (The Amp Hour)
- [Chip Shortage Denier](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2021-05-10-chip-shortage-denier) (The Amp Hour)
- [Living Through Chipageddon](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2021-02-16-living-through-chipageddon) (The Amp Hour)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-01-29-360-cats-love-it. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Embedded.fm.