> Another thing I'd do is look at gearing up for masked part
> production ability.  There's no upward migration path at Mchip when
> my quantities are getting obscene.  If I can save $1.50 per part at
> 20000 pcs/yr and mask tooling charges are only $3000-$4000, I can
> easily justify the redesign/program costs to use another brand's
> masked chip.

Microchip's claim to fame has been cost effective, quick to market OTP.
They must be doing something right since most others now try to copy
the program.

There is no part that I know of in their product line that been be had
at a savings of $1.50 per unit. I sell products to some customers in
500k units in OTP because the quick time to market and potential to add
on orders without another 12 week wait outweighs the small price
differential.

For the most cost sensitive applications, though, Microchip does offer
ROM options for many parts.

John Magrane
FAE Bell Industries
(408) 734-8570