What does oem stand for

This stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer, and it's usually tagged on hardware or software that's less expensive than normal retail products. Which may make you wonder: should you buy an OEM product, or is there a catch that's setting you up for trouble? The truth is that they do differ from retail products, and it's important to know the differences.

The acronym isn't commenting on who sells the product but instead on who the product is meant to be sold to. OEM hardware and software is packaged for distribution to companies who build systems, like Dell and Apple. These companies are the original equipment manufacturers. Dell buys directly from the manufacturer in bulk through routes not accessible to the average consumer. This is why OEM products are usually sold in a generic box or wrapper instead of retail packaging.

They're not designed to be on store shelves, so they don't need to look fancy and contain the usual marketing spiel. Usually, OEM products don't appear in stores—at least, larger retail stores will rarely sell them.

Online stores don't care about retail packaging, however, so they're more than happy to stock up on these products and sell them to customers. There aren't specific online stores that sell only OEM products. Instead, keep your eye on reputable sites because they might sell them off if they have an abundance of old stock they need to ship. Normally, these should be tagged as OEM, so you know what you're getting. These retailers know that there are plenty of bargain hunters looking for the lowest price possible.

Don't worry. It's entirely legal to buy an OEM product. But there are stipulations attached to the product which you accept by purchasing it. OEM hardware is exactly the same in capabilities and performance as its retail counterpart. Storage drives, optical drives, and PCI expansion cards are the most common types of components offered for sale as OEM. But many other products may be offered this way in limited numbers.

However, the hardware usually doesn't ship with extra components, even those critical to the hardware's operation. OEM computer processors, for example, may not ship with fans. An OEM video card or hard drive often doesn't ship with the cables or adapters needed to use it. OEM manufacturers design, engineer and manufacture complete products and systems. Some OEMs also manufacture sub-assemblies or component parts.

Other manufacturers purchase these and assemble them into their products. It is not unusual for OEMs to perform all of these functions: parts manufacture, sub-assembly and final production. There are also types of manufacturers that are described as ODMs original design manufacturers.

ODMs assemble or design and assemble component parts into complete products. These finished products are then branded with the names of other companies who distribute the finished products. We've taken spring-loaded check valves to a whole new level. Mix and match imperial and metric connections. Watch the video. How OE and OEM parts are similar but still different Original equipment parts OE parts are parts installed when a finished product or sub-assembly is manufactured.

Technically then, an OE part is available only as a component inside a complete new product or system. Calling something an OE part with this meaning is not very common though. More frequently, calling a component an OE part identifies it as a part that is also available for purchase independent of the finished product or system it has also been built into. Another type of named part that shows up, especially in foodservice maintenance is OCM parts. OCM Original Component Manufacturer or direct source parts are parts sold through equipment manufacturer networks of distributors and authorized service providers.

Retrieve it. Abbreviation » Term. Term » Abbreviation. Word in Term. Term » Abbr. Filter by: Select category from list What does OEM mean? A company that produces hardware to be sold under another company's brand. Software with this label includes just a shrink-wrapped CD, without printed manual, without being inside a box, etc.

Couldn't find the full form or full meaning of OEM? Discuss these OEM abbreviations with the community: 1 Comment. Notify me of new comments via email. Pat Cantrell. My computer is a Hewlett-Packard,Windows 10 installed. Why do I need to know more?

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