When looking for an original design manufacturer (ODM) to partner with, you want to ensure that you find someone who is able to attain your bottom line objective. Product endurance, quality, delivery, cost, and time to market are a few obvious attributes you want to check off your list, however below are other items that OEM management might want to consider when identifying the right embedded systems manufacturing partner.
- Learn how to set aside marketing hype from what is real. A company that manages both design and manufacturing will design with component availability in mind and implement good Design for Manufacturability (DFM) techniques. Early consideration of manufacturing issues shortens product development time, minimizes development cost, and ensures a smooth transition into production for quick time to market.
- Take heed of your future needs. Most organizations develop new systems because of rapidly expanding technology needs. While an off-the-shelf solution is expandable to a degree, it may not be expandable in ways that best fit your long terms requirements. An ODM with good product design service will help you forecast future needs and will integrate specific expandability capabilities.
- Make sure you don’t underestimate the importance of opportunity cost. While most companies are aware of the direct cost, you also have to weigh up the advantages of the one stop shop and the tools and resources that come with an experienced ODM supplier. A good ODM supplier brings experience with a wide body of knowledge across many software and technology platforms, processor architecture, form factors, power envelopes, market spaces and manufacturing capabilities providing in the best solution for each unique project.
Not all ODMs will be a perfect match. As a business you need to make a list of attributes that you cannot do without and those that you are willing to compromise on. Depending on your business objectives and long-term needs you will be able to identify a partner that helps you grow your business