The Future is Synchronized: Why Precision Timing Matters More Than Ever
Timing at the Center of Design
Precise timing has always been a foundational aspect of electronics and system design. What’s changed is when engineers address it. Timing is no longer an afterthought—selected late in the design cycle, after core decisions are made. While engineers may not focus on their specific timing components early in the design cycle, timing itself shapes system architecture from the outset.
We surveyed over 300 engineers, who shared their views on the role of timing in their designs, its impact on their day-to-day work and the industry, and what it means for the future of electronics. According to the survey, 79% of engineers report that their systems rely on precise timing.
The shift in mindset can be seen across the design cycle- from the importance of selecting the right component to when timing is considered.
Half of the engineers surveyed report that they now address timing at earlier stages of the design cycle. Another 36% bring it in when making decisions about core architecture.
Miniaturization of devices, heavier workloads, and integration at scale force engineers to build with synchronization in mind from the start. Timing providers that offer credible data, detailed specifications, and easy-to-use comparison tools, while engaging customers earlier in the process, will gain influence.
AI & Reliability at the Core
In the age of “always on”, near-perfect synchronization, and distributed compute, timing is central.
The survey found that 96% of engineers in AI data centers rank long-term reliability as their top priority. Over half of the engineers surveyed also rank power and ease of integration as critical. Minor synchronization errors can ripple across thousands of servers, resulting in service degradation and wasted energy.
For engineers working in AI data centers, timing is crucial in determining whether AI systems perform as promised. For investors, reliability in AI data centers is a marker of long-term infrastructure viability.
Timing as an Innovation Driver
Timing is more than a foundational requirement of next-gen systems.
In the survey, 64% of engineers say advancements in timing will improve operational efficiency. While 60% expect higher product and service quality, and 54% see timing as a key factor in new technology development.
These expectations demonstrate that timing is a key driver of innovation across industries, with its impact being felt by both engineers and end users. In autonomous vehicles, seamless synchronization is safety-critical. In telecommunications, it ensures faster and cleaner signals, and in AI data centers, it enables predictability and scale.
Timing is a design principle that improves outcomes across entire industries.
MEMS Momentum and Market Edge
The timing component landscape is shifting toward MEMS. Nearly half of surveyed engineers—49%—now prefer MEMS in new designs, drawn by its compelling advantages: superior reliability, compact form factors, and proven supply chain resilience.
Quartz maintains its position primarily through familiarity—sustained by established perceptions of long-term stability and the comfort of proven track records.
The adoption pattern reveals an important insight: engineers with hands-on MEMS experience consistently choose it, while those less familiar tend to stay with quartz. This isn't primarily a technology gap—it's an exposure challenge.
The transition demonstrates a fundamental reality: engineering decisions are shaped as much by experience and organizational precedent as by technical specifications alone.
MEMS delivers measurable performance advantages, but adoption requires more than capability—it requires confidence built through direct experience and education.
Future Proofing Designs
The next challenge is not simply to meet current demands, but to prepare for future ones.
Precise timing is fast becoming a competitive differentiator in next-gen electronic systems. Convergence and distributed workloads will require timing solutions that are scalable and adaptable. Engineers want easier ways to compare performance and evaluate technologies. Timing providers who address this need, with transparent benchmarks and tools, will lead the timing market. Companies that provide scalable and reliable solutions will define the future of industries built on synchronization.
For more data and insights from over 300 engineers across industries, download the full State of Time 2025 report.