The software engineers on the Samtec web team work diligently every day to bring you the experience you’re used to on Samtec.com.
While many of our tools are front and center, there are some useful features that you may not be aware of.
To help save you even more time, this post will walk you through a few of these that will make your day just a little bit easier.
Visually Exploring Product Lines – Samtec Picture Search
One of the largest requests that we get from web users is the ability to browse our products as visually as possible.
You asked and we listened.
A couple of years ago, we released the first version of our modern Samtec Picture Search, which was a smashing success and has gone through a few rounds of updates since it’s initial inception.
This tool uses a javascript library called GreenSock, which is used on massive application-heavy websites such as Google Photos, Fox, Bose, and BMW, coupled with the supercharged content delivery power of Amazon Cloudfront.
With this technology stack, we’re able to show you how Samtec products can be oriented and mated together without using heavy video animations. This way we can provide a full and seamless visual experience of our product lines all in a single application.
Navigate to https://www.samtec.com/picturesearch, then click any path on the home screen to explore further.
Just a few clicks in each area gets you down to a series level (TSW, QSE, ERF8, etc), where you can then jump to the Tech Specs page to perform additional research.
Picture Search is compatible with any desktop or tablet device running a supported browser (sorry IE 9 users).
Just visit https://www.samtec.com/picturesearch, or click on the camera icon on the left of the website to try it out.
You can even download an offline version to your PC or iPad using the “Download Offline Version” button at the top right.
Direct Part Number 3D Models Using Search or a URL
In a recent post, we detailed our recent 3D modeling upgrades that allow you to access 3D models in a matter of seconds without the need for a login.
What we didn’t go heavily into is the ability to quickly access 3D models directly for a part number using our global Search tool, or even a simple URL which you can create yourself.
Built directly into our global search tool is the ability to enter any valid part number, and get a variety of information about that part number in return.
As you’ll see upon clicking Enter, a large portion of what you’ll be delivered is a 3D rendering of the part number you search for.
From there, you can click the “Download” tab and choose from a list of nearly 100 different 3D model types, without the need for a login.
You can also get to the exact same tool with a URL you can create yourself. This way you can easily share part number links with colleagues.
All you need is a valid part number.
To access any 3D model with a valid part number, follow these steps:
- Open a web browser
- Type “https://www.samtec.com?” into the address bar (don’t forget the “?” character)
- Append your part number after the “?” character
- Hit Enter
Make sure to use dashes in the correct places for best results.
For example: https://www.samtec.com?qse-020-01-l-d-a
You’ll then be presented with the same 3D modeling tool that you saw above. You can use this feature with any valid Samtec part number.
You can also use this same feature with just a series in the URL – https://www.samtec.com?qse for example.
Totally Free Channel Simulation and Analysis (Yes, Free)
Channelyzer™ is Samtec’s online full channel simulation and analysis tool, delivering high-speed serial channel performance data and optimization strategies within 24 hours (and usually a lot faster).
For years, Samtec’s Signal Integrity experts have been developing their own custom built software to help support the simulation needs of customers and help them choose the correct products more efficiently.
Now you can access the same technology they use in this convenient and easy-to-use web tool.
Rather than spend thousands of dollars on equipment and dozens of hours performing your own analysis, let our software do it for you using the innovative blade design our user experience designers have created for you.
This type of design takes a number of inputs that previously would use several screens, and combines them all into one user-friendly flow, allowing you to access your results seamlessly.
Even better, newly released as I write this post, Channelyzer™ is picking up steam with our new Backplane analysis path that is now live on Samtec.com (Connector and Cable paths are coming soon).
Check out the Channelyzer Introduction Video here and give it a whirl by visiting https://www.samtec.com/channelyzer
Filter to Your Mated Set Using Solutionator®
The Samtec Solutionator is one of the most powerful ways to find the products you need for your specific application, and can be accessed anywhere on Samtec.com by clicking the “speedometer” icon in the left-hand toolbar of the website.
In just a few clicks, you can search by parameters such as pitch, stack height, positions, termination, and many more.
When you run your search you’ll be presented with a variety of options that meet your criteria.
From the results screen, you can easily download 3D models, prints, catalog pages, and more. You can even get an email delivered to you with this information for easy access. You can also place a sample order directly from the email.
Head to https://www.samtec.com/solutionator to use this powerful parametric search tool.
You can also launch Solutionator filtered to any series using this URL shortcut – https://www.samtec.com/[series]
For example – https://www.samtec.com/solutionator/qse would launch a search for all part numbers that match the QSE series.
Product Research for the Mobile Engineer
By now, you’re probably aware of the growing mobile feature set of Samtec.com, however if you’re not, check out this recent post for a great overview.
One powerful feature that you may not be aware of is the ease of which you can access any series page on Samtec.com with just a few taps of your finger.
Just pull up Samtec.com on your smart phone, tap the search icon in the top right corner, and enter any valid Samtec series.
This will jump you directly to the Tech Specs page for that series, allowing you to do basic product research on the go very quickly.
You can also easily share with colleagues using our built-in sharing features, available on every Tech Specs page. The email icon will open your smart phone’s email client with a link to the page you are visiting already pre-populated.
Chat Live Directly With Technical Experts
Demand for online support has grown heavily in the last few years. We receive and handle over 600 live chats per week, and this number is growing rapidly year over year.
Many users now even prefer a live chat session over a phone call.
With our Live Chat support, you can reach a live chat operator on any page of the website by clicking the “Live Chat” widget on the right-hand side. There is also a slick mobile version of this tool for engineers on the go.
Our chat associates range from general customer support, all the way to highly technical product experts, and everything in between.
We’re also working hard to bring you even more capabilities to this growing channel with capabilities for proactive support, online sales, and even more access to high end experts.
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Now you’re a Samtec.com power user! If this post helped save you some time, be sure to share it with your friends and colleagues by using the buttons on the page.
We’re always looking for feedback as well, so if you want to drop us an email, you can contact the web team directly at ehelpdesk@samtec.com
