When a chipmaker announces the end of life (EOL) of a product, what is it called when equipment makers using it buy, one last time, the quantity they will need for future maintenance and production?

Answer: C. Last-time buy

When chipmakers discontinue old products, they accept final orders during a set period. Makers of equipment that needs long-term supply and maintenance, such as cars and industrial equipment, take this opportunity to buy the quantity they need all at once (a last-time buy), and afterward respond by redesigning around substitutes and the like.

• A. MPW is a scheme for prototyping multiple designs together on one wafer.
• B. Just-in-time is the idea of procuring and producing only what is needed when it is needed.
• C. Correct. It is the final bulk purchase before the end of production.