Are you confused about what OEM accreditations are and why they’re important? Perhaps you don’t know how these impact the quality of services you’re looking for.
Ingram Micro Lifecycle holds accreditations from major OEMs and has for many years. We have experience in applying for accreditations, repeatedly meeting the high standards OEM auditors seek.
In this article, we clarify what OEMs are, what their accreditations cover, and why you should work with partners who hold them.
What is an OEM?
OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer. These are the companies that design and create the products we use. In our industry, these are the companies producing electronics, such as laptops, smartphones, wearables, gaming consoles, and Small Domestics Appliances (SDAs, such as vacuums, coffee machines, and air fryers).
What are OEM accreditations?
Given the broad term, you can find OEMs in almost any industry – from technology to automotive. Regardless of the industry in which the OEM accreditation applies, they all carry the same message.
Accreditation from OEMs provides direct access to:
- Genuine parts
- Technical support
- Repair instructions
- Manuals
- Software
- And more
It’s also a stamp of approval that the company’s standard of work and facilities meet manufacturer specifications.
What does it mean to be OEM accredited?
OEM accreditations ensure the completion of work and services involving devices to a high quality and safety. They signal the use of genuine parts and manufacturer-approved procedures.
Generally, the more OEM accreditations a company has, the more they can support in delivering products and services to a high quality. They have the agility to upscale, should your product requirements change.
Holding OEM accreditations also improve customer experience by enabling the support of a wider range of products. The processing of devices is quicker, minimizing customer downtime.
Why are OEM accreditations important?
If a company conducts repairs or refurbishment for a product that they don’t hold the OEM accreditation for, it means they may not be using genuine parts or manufacturer-approved processes. As a result, the quality of the service or end product may suffer.
OEM accreditations aren’t a legal requirement but are considered a best practice, indicating that the manufacturer has conducted audits and is confident in the facility’s processes.
The accreditations symbolize that the company holding them is honest, qualified, and reputable.
The reverse logistics company may not be accredited by OEMs that they don’t work with.
Do OEM accreditations expire?
No, but OEMs can revoke them should a service center breach contract conditions. For example, if they use their software to unlock devices locked to a specific network when they are not meant to.
Although accreditations don’t expire, an OEM-accredited facility is often subject to periodic audits. OEM representatives conduct these to ensure processes are being followed down to the letter.
If things are not as they should be, OEMs can impose restrictions, such as withholding parts, that could result in the service center being unable to repair and process devices. This has a knock-on effect, leading to delays and bad customer experiences.
What do OEM accreditations mean for my business?
The accreditations are like a badge of honor that the products and services you’re receiving are to the manufacturer’s standards. You can be assured that only genuine parts are fitted and repaired to the manufacturer’s specifications.
It also means that the processes that are carried out, are up to date with the latest best practices and legal requirements, using the latest software and innovations, making them compliant. This is of particular importance when handling data-bearing devices.
What do OEM accreditations mean to Ingram Micro Lifecycle?
Retaining and being awarded new OEM accreditations demonstrates our commitment to delivering high-quality products and services. We strive for continual training and education to stay innovative and ahead of the curve. These add value and reassurance to our customers.
For example, Ingram Micro Lifecycle is accredited by major OEMs from across the globe. This means that those manufacturers have audited Ingram Micro Lifecycle’s facilities and processes, and are acknowledged to conduct repairs and refurbishments to their standards.
Reach out to us using the orange button below or our Contact page to find out more about the OEM accreditations we hold.
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