Post by thread:[PIC]:My Microchip Certification Concerns

I was always dying to be "certified:" for years, even when we were in Atlanta. But there was (and is) a significant issue that prohibited me from pursuing a "certified consultant" status. In fact, my lawyer advised strongly against it. Here's what was proposed to us when this program began years ago: (1) Had to have good tools, references, and qualifications. That wasn't a problem. (2) Had to provide Microchip with detailed information about what was being developed and how many of what would be sold, etc. #1 is easy, #2 was tough. I sign a NDE (non-disclosure agreement) with each & every client, and I MUST follow that agreement or I can be sued badly and lose everything I own. I could not honestly make an agreement with Microchip (despite my being a enthusiastic supporter) that would jeopardize my NDE. My NDE includes being quiet about client expected sales etc as well as the technical information. This attitude has kept me from being sued in 20+ years of product design. Now, I'm not accusing anybody of anything// but I do wonder how Certified people manage to juggle the two issues? I KNOW I'll be flamed on this but that's what my issue is. Has that requirement ever changed? If it has, I'll try again. --Bob At 04:10 PM 6/13/2003 -0400, you wrote: {Quote hidden}> > Doesn't the local Microchip office play a hand in the certification > > process? > >Yes. The local FAE is the first gate keeper, and has to sponsor you to >the certifiation board. > > > How about contacting the local FAE (who in a perfect world > > would be unbiased) to get some suggestions of who to call? > >It's worth a try, but they can get into trouble if they are too biased. >On the other hand, it seems to have a lot to do with which consultant they >happened to have talked to most recently, who they want to throw some work >to for various political reasons, who just started and they want to help >get on their feet, etc. > >We occasionally get referals from the local Microchip office, and the >timing seems to have a strong correlation to my having recently talked to >the sales guy or FAE, usually about completely unrelated matters. > > >***************************************************************** >Embed Inc, embedded system specialists in Littleton Massachusetts >(978) 742-9014, http://www.embedinc.com > >-- >http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different >ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details. --------------- NOTICE 1. This account can accept email & attachments up to 10M in size. 2. Federal Monitors: At request of client, some attachments are encrypted. Please DO NOT delay traffic; please reply with credentials for password. -------------- -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details.

At 02:12 PM 6/13/2003 -0700, you wrote: >my being a enthusiastic supporter) that would jeopardize my NDE. My NDE >includes >being quiet about client expected sales etc as well as the technical >information. This >attitude has kept me from being sued in 20+ years of product design. > >Now, I'm not accusing anybody of anything// but I do wonder how Certified >people manage to juggle the two issues? You mustn't violate an NDA. Some are more restrictive than others. I won't discuss it if the NDA is too restrictive. If that doesn't meet their requirements, then the certification is what will have to give. >I KNOW I'll be flamed on this but that's what my issue is. Perfectly reasonable concern, IMHO. Best regards, Spehro Pefhany --"it's the network..." "The Journey is the reward" spam_OUTspeffTakeThisOuTinterlog.com Info for manufacturers: http://www.trexon.com Embedded software/hardware/analog Info for designers: http://www.speff.com -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details.

> (2) Had to provide Microchip with detailed information about what was > being developed and how many of what would be sold, etc. > > Now, I'm not accusing anybody of anything// but I do wonder how > Certified people manage to juggle the two issues? This is an example of too many lawyers worrying about things that don't need worrying about. I would NEVER compromise a customer's confidentiality, and Microchip has never asked me to do so. I remember that clause in the consultant's agreement, but I also realized that Microchip would very quickly find itself without a consultants program if they ever kicked people out for not telling them something confidential. So what have I got to lose? I'll sign up, and if they want to kick me out because I won't pass on customer secrets, so be it. Of course if they ever did, they'd be the ones looking like jerks, not me. In practise this just isn't an issue. The realtionship is very coorperative with Microchip. They sincerely try to help the consultants, knowing that in the end they'll sell more chips as the things the consultants design go into production. The support I get from Microchip is waaaaaay better than that from any other company. ***************************************************************** Embed Inc, embedded system specialists in Littleton Massachusetts (978) 742-9014, http://www.embedinc.com -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details.

Regarding "Microchip Certification Concerns", in the light of suggesting a consultant to someone for a job, I would suggest that they consider the microchip list of experts. Then I'd recommend to the prospective client that after picking out a few names, do what most people do these days: type the name into Google to see just what sort of person they are dealing with. If the person lives in a cave and doesnot use the internet, there won't be much to go on. That tells you a little about the person. If, on the other hand, the person uses the internet daily and posts often to, say, the piclist, then there will be many examples of that persons writing to examine in order to see how they treat other people. Do they offer good advice? Are they cordial? Polite? Are they "consultants" or "insultants"? A lot can be learned from Google these days. Just a thought. Tom M. -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details.