Processor supply constraints have created significant disruptions across the embedded computing market. Unlike previous shortages concentrated in memory components, these conditions have extended to the processors at the core of carrier board and motherboard designs. Because these boards are engineered around specific processor SKUs, constrained CPU and GPU availability has cascaded into board-level shortages, increasing supply risk across entire program builds.
ADL Embedded Solutions has been working with customers through these conditions and is issuing this advisory to ensure all programs have the visibility needed to protect their timelines.
What We’ve Encountered in the Market
Demand for AI infrastructure has reallocated global semiconductor manufacturing capacity. ADLES has been navigating these conditions, and based on what the team has encountered, we expect the pressure on pricing, availability, and delivery schedules to continue through at least the first half of 2027 across both COTS and custom-configured solutions.
The challenges ADLES is working through on behalf of its customers include:
- Retroactive price increases of up to 20% on previously placed purchase orders, as suppliers revise pricing on previous commitments
- Decommitted delivery schedules, with orders originally slated for summer 2026 now being pushed to 2027
- Constrained availability across processors, carrier boards, motherboards, and integrated board-level solutions
- Elevated risk of program-adverse schedule slippage for programs that have not established inventory commitments or production forecasts with their embedded computing supplier
How This Affects Your Program
Programs that depend on specific processor SKUs have the highest exposure. When a SKU is constrained or decommitted, the boards designed around it are directly affected, and alternative sourcing is limited by decisions already made during development. Retroactive price increases on placed purchase orders have created additional budget exposure for programs that considered procurement costs settled.
The programs best positioned to manage these conditions have established forecast visibility and an embedded computing partner securing inventory on their behalf. Inventory commitments made today directly determine whether components arrive in 2026 or slip to 2027.
How ADLES Is Supporting Customers
ADLES has been collaborating with customers on an individual basis to secure memory, storage, and board inventory ahead of production requirements. Customers who have shared forecasted needs are already benefiting from those proactive allocation efforts, and ADLES is extending this support to all active and prospective programs. Forecast visibility remains essential to securing the right components at the right time.
Beyond near-term inventory management, ADLES is actively developing and bringing to market next-generation solutions built around components with stronger availability profiles. This work lays the groundwork for a longer-life-cycle product roadmap, giving customers improved access to supply-stable platforms as they plan future programs and upgrades.
To support both of these efforts, ADLES has expanded its engineering and production staff. The investment in additional technical and manufacturing capacity is designed to accelerate product development, maintain responsiveness to custom requirements, and reduce lead times during a period when supply chain agility directly impacts program outcomes.
Plan Now to Protect Your Schedule
Programs with production requirements in 2026 or 2027 should initiate supply planning conversations as soon as possible. Contact your ADLES account representative or reach the team directly at 858-490-0597 or sales@adl-usa.com to align on your upcoming requirements and identify the best path forward for your program.
About ADL Embedded Solutions, Inc. ADL Embedded Solutions, Inc. is a leading provider of high-performance embedded systems targeting demanding thermal and rugged environments for industrial and military applications. For over 30 years, ADLES has collaborated with engineers and program managers to deliver reliable embedded solutions built to exacting customer requirements. Products like the ADL-AI2500, which delivers 157 TOPS of NVIDIA® Jetson™ Orin NX performance in a compact, rugged package and was recognized with Best in Show at Embedded World 2025, reflect that long-standing commitment to performance and reliability. Learn more at www.adl-usa.com.
