Low RMA PPM rates reflect Swissbit’s design-for-quality approach and disciplined manufacturing

In my latest blog post, I take a closer look about Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA), expressed in parts per million (PPM). While rates of a few hundred PPM are often accepted across the industIry, Swissbit consistently achieves figures in the double- or even single-digit range.

Introduction

When it comes to memory and storage, reliability is judged by data, not promises. One of the clearest measures is the RMA (Return Merchandise Authorization) rate, expressed in parts per million (PPM). This shows how many units out of a million require replacement due to failure. While rates of a few hundred PPM are often accepted across the industry, Swissbit consistently achieves figures in the double- or even single-digit range.

For sectors such as automation, medical technology, automotive, and telecommunications, these differences are significant. Each failed component can cause downtime, service interruptions, or even safety risks.

Low RMA PPM rates directly reduce these risks and ensure dependable long-term operation in demanding environments. This level of reliability is not the result of design alone.

At Swissbit’s Berlin fabrication facility, processes are tightly controlled from end to end, with minimal external dependencies. Across the portfolio, from storage products such as SD and microSD cards to embedded solutions and security modules,

Swissbit applies the same disciplined approach to manufacturing and quality assurance. Products that benefit from fully in-house production consistently achieve even lower PPM levels. The combination of robust design and controlled production creates a measurable quality advantage, one that is reflected directly in the data.

Why the difference matters

In industrial and embedded applications, storage and security modules are often deployed in environments that challenge their endurance: extreme temperature variations, constant vibration, or continuous read/write cycles over many years.

Failures in such contexts are not just a matter of replacing a component; they can trigger complex service interventions and lead to lost productivity. The difference between a few hundred PPM and a few dozen can translate into significant cost savings and operational stability.

How Swissbit achieves low RMA PPM rates

Swissbit’s consistently low failure rates are the result of a systematic approach

• Design for reliability: Products are engineered from the outset to withstand extreme conditions and long service lifetimes.
• Comprehensive qualification: Extensive endurance and stress testing go beyond standard compliance to simulate real-world use.
• Controlled supply chain: Rigorous supplier management and component traceability minimize variability.
• Manufacturing discipline: Precise processes and quality control ensure consistency across product batches.
• Continuous improvement: Field data and decades of customer feedback are integrated into development and QA cycles.

Lower PPM rates from in-house production

The lower PPM rates become even more visible in product lines manufactured largely within Swissbit’s own fabrication facilities. Every critical process is managed in-house, with minimal reliance on external partners.

This includes packaging processes for selected components, which are increasingly brought under Swissbit’s own control. The result is an environment where processes are perfected, variations are tightly managed, and defect opportunities are reduced to an absolute minimum.

This translates into substantially lower RMA PPM figures, underlining the value of Swissbit’s end-to-end manufacturing expertise across the product range.

Consistent material selection and BOM control

Another decisive factor behind Swissbit’s reliability advantage is the company’s rigorous material and component selection. Every Bill of Materials (BOM) is defined and maintained with strict control over the quality grade of each part. As the flash memory component has the greatest influence on performance and price, Swissbit ensures only qualified high-quality NAND is used, carefully matched to the product’s endurance and reliability targets.

Beyond the flash itself, complete traceability and a tightly managed supply chain guarantee consistency across production batches and over product lifetimes. This disciplined approach minimizes variation, safeguards long-term availability, and reinforces Swissbit’s reputation for measurable, repeatable quality.

Quality as a measurable value

In an industry where reliability cannot be compromised, extremely low RMA PPM rates provide a transparent and objective measure of quality. They reflect engineering rigor, disciplined manufacturing, and a long-term commitment to customer trust.

For Swissbit, this is not a marketing slogan but a data point - one that sets a clear benchmark for what reliability should look like. Explore more about Swissbit’s NAND Flash portfolio and how measurable quality drives long-term performance.

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