The Continuity Principle is a framework for sustaining critical systems when components become obsolete.
In aerospace, defence, medical, and industrial sectors, obsolescence is not an edge case. It is the rule. Components disappear from production. Suppliers close. Fabs shut down. Yet the systems built around those components must continue to operate for 25 years or more.
In a recent episode of Force Tech Talk Now, Karen Salmon, CEO of Force Technologies, outlined a principle that has guided the company’s work across four decades of component obsolescence management: the Continuity Principle.
This principle is designed to answer a single question that customers in regulated industries ask repeatedly: “How do I keep a critical system alive when the components that make it impossible to source any longer?”
The answer lies not in a single service, but in five distinct elements that work together to create what Karen calls “engineering assurance across the full system lifecycle, regardless of component obsolescence.”
Over the next couple of weeks we are going to run through the principle in sections on this website. If any of this resonates with you and your plans for obsolescence, get in touch and we can see if we can help.
Written by
Charlotte HughesCommercial Director, Force Technologies
Charlotte Hughes is Commercial Director at Force Technologies with a degree and Masters in Psychology and is an accredited Applied Behaviour Analyst. She transitioned from internal sales and operations to managing sales, key accounts, and the distribution network. Charlotte actively participates in industry events and memberships, leveraging her expertise in sales, customer service, procurement, and product management within the electronics obsolescence sector.
Charlotte regularly engages with and attends events hosted by organisations Force Technologies is a member of, such as Joscar, Make UK Defence, Aerospace Wales and the International Institute of Obsolescence Management – all with the aim of networking, gaining and sharing industry knowledge and expertise.
Specialisms
Charlotte specialises in sales, customer service, product procurement, product management, and operations. She holds Associate Member status from the International Institute of Obsolescence Management.
Certifications
Charlotte holds Associate Member status from the International Institute of Obsolescence Management.