Security-critical systems need to work even when individual electronic components are no longer regularly available. At the same time, supply chains, product versions, software releases and evidence requirements often change faster than the systems in which they are used.
The key is therefore not only to source critical components, but to keep them protected, clearly assigned and ready for use throughout the required period – from an individual microcontroller to a control unit or electronic assembly.
btv technologies combines supply, Storage with btv LONGEVITY®, component services and secure programming. This keeps components available for defined requirements, documented and prepared for their agreed use.
When components and systems follow different lifecycles
Security-critical electronics are often needed over long periods. Individual semiconductors, memory devices, control units or assemblies, however, follow shorter technology and availability cycles.
Sometimes a component is discontinued. Sometimes demand changes, a component needs to be managed separately for different programmes, or a control unit needs to be ready for use again after a long storage period. Connected systems also introduce requirements for firmware, device identity and protected programming processes.
The task is not to hold as much inventory as possible. The task is to keep the right component available in the right protection concept, for the right requirement and with the right process information.
Keeping critical components available over the long term
Systems, platforms and electronic assemblies often remain in operation much longer than individual microcontrollers, memory devices or power semiconductors remain available. For maintenance, spare-parts supply, re-manufacturing and defined programme requirements, critical components therefore need to remain available in a planned way over long periods.
btv supports the structured supply, protected storage and demand-driven provision of electronic components, control units and assemblies.
Separating inventory, programmes and variants clearly
The same component may be needed across different programmes, variants or customer contexts. To keep material movements, call-offs and inventory traceable, organisations need clear allocation, segregated inventory management and documented processes.
This provides transparency on which components are assigned to which requirement and prevents critical inventory from becoming unclear within complex supply chains.
Keeping control units and assemblies ready for use
For control units and electronic assemblies stored over long periods, storage alone is not always sufficient. Depending on the unit, storage period and planned use, controlled storage conditions, documented protection cycles and – where technically appropriate and agreed – powering concepts and functional checks may be required.
This turns inventory in storage into a planned option for maintenance, spare-parts supply, re-manufacturing or defined programme requirements.
Securing device identity and firmware traceably
For connected systems, firmware, cryptographic keys and device identities become part of the security and evidence chain. The programming process needs to protect sensitive data and make it traceable which component was provided with which programming and certificate status.
What belongs together should work together
Supply, storage, preparation, programming and logistics are often managed across different teams and service providers. Every handover creates coordination effort and can separate information about inventory, processing status and material movements.
btv technologies connects the services relevant to your specific situation in one coordinated model. You decide which building blocks you require. btv manages implementation through clearly defined interfaces – from supply through Storage and component services to secure programming and documented provision.
The result is not a rigid standard package, but a supply-chain structure in which processes, responsibilities and information fit together.
Storage with btv LONGEVITY®: Keeping critical electronics protected and available
Not every sourcing or discontinuation risk calls for inventory. Where selectively secured inventory is the appropriate solution, btv protects critical electronic components, control units and assemblies for the defined period and makes them available with appropriate documentation.
The Storage service is structured in protection levels: from climate-controlled, ESD-safe and FM Global fire-protected storage through long-term storage to btv LONGEVITY® for particularly demanding components and long periods. Depending on the protection level, storage horizons range from a few years up to 50 years.
For critical electronics, protection measures, documented storage cycles and required component care can be aligned with the later use. Where needed, powering concepts, functional checks and external analyses can be incorporated.
Storage can be distributed across different fire compartments at btv’s Werl site where required. The btv site in Unna provides an additional option for inventory and call-off planning. This allows inventory management and provision to be aligned with protection, availability and process requirements.
Relevant when:
- Critical components need to remain available over long periods.
- A control unit or assembly cannot be replaced at short notice.
- The functional condition of stored electronics must be actively considered.
- Inventory needs to remain protected, documented and available on demand.
btv TAK®: Structuring supply, inventory and call-offs
btv TAK® is not a fixed standard package. It is configured around the specific components, product lines and supply-chain requirements of each customer.
With more than 70 modular services, btv TAK® can combine the elements required in the individual case – from component logistics, storage and call-off management to testing, programming, labelling, repacking, customs and transport management.
The advantage is that these steps are designed to work together. Rather than coordinating supply, storage, preparation and logistics through multiple interfaces, you receive a coordinated model with clear responsibilities and traceable information on inventory, movements and process data.
Relevant when:
- Critical inventory needs to be managed separately and clearly assigned.
- Different programmes, variants or demand owners need to be supplied.
- Call-offs, inventory coverage and material movements need to remain transparent.
- Security of supply and cost efficiency need to be assessed together.
Component Services: Prepared for the agreed use
Sourcing is not the final step. Components often need testing, programming, labelling, packaging or preparation in a defined format – for production, maintenance, re-manufacturing or a specific deployment location.
btv combines these steps with supply so that components arrive where they are required and in the form in which they are needed.
Relevant when:
- Components need testing or programming before use.
- Labelling, packaging or taping contributes to process reliability.
- Material needs preparation for different variants or demand owners.
- Additional processing steps outside the customer’s own production line are appropriate.
btv SEEL®: Programming, device identity and evidence
For connected systems, simply loading firmware is not enough. The programming process must protect sensitive firmware and keys, respect the customer’s control of its own PKI and provide clear documentation.
btv SEEL® processes encrypted firmware in volatile memory within the programming environment. With btv SEEL® INTERCONNECT, the customer’s PKI remains under the manufacturer’s control. btv SEEL® UNLIMITED documents individual device identities and process steps with cryptographic signatures.
This creates an audit trail for programming, certificate allocation and traceability at component level.
Relevant when:
- Systems need individual certificates or device identities.
- Firmware and cryptographic keys require protected processing.
- Programming data and certificate allocation need auditable documentation.
- Multiple sites or partners need to work to a consistent process.
Documented processes for security-critical supply chains
Security-critical applications often follow their own customer, project and information-security requirements. Technical, regulatory and security responsibility for the end system remains with the respective manufacturer.
btv supports documented processes for supply, storage, component services and programming. These processes help keep information about components, material movements, storage cycles and programming events traceable and available.
For connected products, the Cyber Resilience Act may be relevant where the intended or reasonably foreseeable use includes a direct or indirect data connection to a device or network. btv SEEL® provides a documented programming and evidence building block for these processes; conformity of the end product remains with the manufacturer.
Company-wide process foundation
btv technologies is certified to ISO 9001:2015 and IATF 16949:2016. In addition, btv technologies has completed the TISAX® standardization process and has been listed on the ENX portal.
btv SEEL® is based on a patent-pending process for protected, documented microcontroller programming.
A typical project path
1. Understand the starting point
We consider critical components, control units or assemblies, required coverage, variants, demand and existing processes.
2. Align supply and protection concepts
Supply situation, inventory coverage, selectively secured inventory, Storage with btv LONGEVITY®, component services or an adjustment of material flows: together, we align the implementation with the operational and commercial context.
3. Set up the right implementation
We organise supply, protection concepts, call-offs, component care, preparation, programming and logistics around the agreed requirements.
4. Keep information available
Material movements, storage cycles, programming and required process data remain traceable. This provides a reliable basis for operational management, internal quality processes and audits.
For manufacturers of security-critical electronics and systems
btv technologies supports companies in:
- Security technology and critical infrastructure
- Defence-adjacent electronics and specialised systems
- Communication, sensor technology and connected platforms
- Control, drive and electronic technology
- Aerospace and security-relevant industrial applications
From individual electronic components to control units and electronic assemblies, btv supports manufacturers where components need to remain available, protected, documented and ready for use over long periods.
FAQ – direct, honest, to the point
btv SEEL® is a programming and evidence solution; it is not a certification of the end system. Technical, regulatory and security responsibility for the respective system remains with the manufacturer.
The technological basis of btv SEEL® is patent pending. It combines protected microcontroller programming, integration of the customer’s own PKI, individual device identities and a cryptographically documented audit trail.
btv technologies operates company-wide under ISO 9001:2015 and IATF 16949:2016 and is certified to both standards. In addition, btv technologies has completed the TISAX® standardization process and has been listed on the ENX portal.
This provides documented foundations for the manufacturer’s security, quality and compliance processes. It does not replace certification, approval or conformity assessment of the end system.
