The specifications listed on many OEM products may not be quite what you expect them to be. It’s important to understand the full scope of what you’re getting before you buy, especially if your product will have complex requirements that must be met in order to function optimally. This article outlines some of the most common issues with OEM specifications and their implications on your product design. For more information on this subject, read our complete guide to OEM specifications here .
An Overview of What
to Expect
When you start a new project, it’s always good to have an
idea of what to expect along your journey. You might want to communicate
expectations to your client or make sure you know what they are so you can hit
your mark with perfection. It’s important that your team is on the same page
and has a common understanding of both objectives and requirements before
starting any project, whether it’s for a private business or a government
agency or department.
Comparing Product
Selection and Pricing
When you’re ready to order components for your product, it’s
important to understand how much you can really get for your money. You have a
target product cost in mind, but often times products with similar
specifications can vary greatly in price—for no good reason. To avoid paying
more than you need to for parts that are exactly what you want, it’s important
to get a breakdown of each part and understand where differences exist (if
any). For example, if two suppliers offer you an identical part at different
prices, ask them why there is such a discrepancy. Is one supplier simply trying
to take advantage of your inexperience? Are they using better materials? Or do
they offer additional services like faster delivery or technical support? If
so, is that worth extra cost? This kind of due diligence will help you
determine whether or not it makes sense to pay more for certain components—and
whether those higher-priced parts actually make sense for your product.
Purchasing Options
Before you purchase a product or service, do your homework
to make sure it will give you what you need and meet your expectations. You
should be able to find products that fit your needs at affordable prices, but
don’t fall prey to brands that have built up an image around being overpriced.
Check out different online sources, such as manufacturer websites and online
reviews of competing products (on sites like Amazon) before making any final
decisions.
The Waiting Game
OEM specifications come with a bit of a wait time, typically
ranging anywhere from two weeks to six months after you order an OEM part and
your order is finalized. Obviously, these gaps in time can wreak havoc on your
production schedule; while waiting for an OEM part to arrive, you’re either
missing out on business by not having that crucial piece of machinery or making
do with whatever workarounds are available at hand—and both options can result
in less-than-optimal results.
Quality Control
While developers and vendors may claim that they are
adhering to a certain specification, quality control can be difficult in an
outsourced situation. A good way to manage your expectations is to perform
regular check-ins with your partners and discuss any issues you see. This will
help ensure that they are able to consistently meet your expectations over
time, rather than releasing a product that doesn’t live up to its initial
specifications (and potentially receiving poor reviews as a result).
Conclusion
From specification to delivery, a standard parts purchase
may have more challenges than most people expect. There is no single checklist
that can guarantee your part will be delivered quickly, correctly and within
budget – but there are steps you can take to ensure your expectations aren’t
misplaced and that you receive a quality product in a timely manner. The right
process, however, depends on your supply chain management goals and needs.
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