Case Study

Specialist Hardware
Sourcing

Research-grade components · Export compliance · Discontinued SKUs located

Research Institutions Specialist Hardware Export Compliance EOL Sourcing
40+
SKUs Sourced
8
Institutions Served
100%
Export Compliance
4
Countries

Hardware That Doesn't Exist in the Catalogue

Solaris Wireless, founded 2013, has been serving institutional buyers in this category since the company's earliest engagements. Research institutions operate in a different procurement reality from commercial buyers. The hardware they need, specific radio chipsets, ruggedised test devices, discontinued sensor arrays, region-locked firmware variants, is frequently unavailable through standard distribution channels.

Eight institutions across Europe and Asia approached Solaris Wireless with a combined list of over 40 specialist SKUs. Several were end-of-life. Others were subject to export controls that required careful documentation. Standard resellers had declined or quoted six-month lead times. Research timelines don't flex on six-month horizons.

"We had grant funding to spend and a research window closing in weeks. Every supplier we called either didn't stock it or didn't understand the compliance requirements. Solaris found it."

Global Sourcing Network, Compliance-First

Solaris Wireless maintains active relationships with specialist distributors, original manufacturer channels, and certified secondary-market sources across four continents. For EOL components, we source through authenticated secondary channels with full provenance documentation, critical for institutions that require audit trails.

Export compliance was handled in-house. Our team reviewed each SKU against relevant dual-use regulations, prepared end-user certificates, and coordinated with freight forwarders specialising in controlled goods. No component shipped without a clean compliance file.

01
SKU Audit & Compliance Screening

Reviewed all 40+ SKUs against export control classifications (EAR, ITAR, UK Strategic Export Controls). Flagged dual-use items and prepared compliance documentation before any sourcing activity began.

02
Multi-Channel Global Sourcing

Activated primary manufacturer channels, authorised distributors, and vetted secondary-market sources simultaneously. EOL items sourced with full provenance certification, manufacturer date codes, chain of custody documentation.

03
Authentication & Quality Verification

All secondary-market units authenticated before acceptance. Counterfeit detection protocols applied. Any unit failing authentication rejected and replaced, institutions received only verified components.

04
Compliant Export & Delivery

End-user certificates prepared, freight documentation verified, and controlled-goods freight forwarders engaged. Delivered to institution labs with complete compliance file for each controlled item.

Research Unblocked. Compliance Intact.

All 40+ SKUs were sourced and delivered within the institutions' grant funding windows. No export violations occurred. Several institutions returned for subsequent procurement cycles, and Solaris Wireless is now a standing approved supplier for three of the eight institutions involved.

40+
Specialist SKUs sourced including EOL and controlled items
3
Institutions where Solaris became an approved standing supplier