Single-Source OEM Parts Strategy

Unexpected downtime can accumulate significant costs, exceeding $20,000 per hour for some operations due to idle employees, delayed shipments and overtime expenses as operations recover. Avoiding these costs of downtime requires quick access to a well-managed stock of spares. Since fast-paced maintenance departments are often occupied attending to other service demands, speed and simplicity are paramount in the parts ordering process.

Using the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) as a single-source parts supplier provides several important benefits to keep equipment running with the right parts at the right time. The OEM offers access to the latest versions of parts, simplifies the ordering process, proactively extends system lifecycle and more efficiently leverages inventory. 

Long-term, trusted partnership

Automated systems can last decades, meaning that the OEM has a vested interest in client success that eclipses that of a third party simply fulfilling a parts order. Furthermore, using the OEM as a single source for parts can yield easier budget management, better parts value and quicker root-cause analysis in the event of an equipment issue.

In practice, this single-source parts relationship can be especially beneficial for multi-site enterprises. If a facility places a large parts order but the OEM knows the retailer already has a large stockpile of the same parts at another location, they advise the customer to source the parts from another site, rather than place a redundant order.

Reduce transaction costs, increase confidence

Ordering parts from multiple vendors dilutes accountability and increases overhead thanks to extra purchase orders, additional invoices and more time spent managing vendor relationships. Ordering all parts from a single source simplifies the process, saving time, providing clear accountability and inspiring confidence that the right parts are available when needed. 

Intelligrated offers a dedicated team of support specialists to not only provide information on lead time, parts availability and technical documentation, but also offer unique insight on how parts function within complex material handling systems - insight that third-party vendors simply cannot offer.

Enhanced support for complex systems

Spare parts usage can provide clues about overall system health, but only the OEM has the knowledge to turn this data into the most complete picture of system performance. OEMs know how each part should function within a system and can compare purchase activity with metrics like expected time-to-failure for each part. This analysis can be used to detect part usage anomalies that may indicate more serious problems elsewhere in the system.

Furthermore, OEMs often issue updates to existing equipment as technology advances. As they phase out older spare parts in favor of more efficient, longer-lasting designs, OEMs provide recommendations to match systems with the right alternatives. 

Using a third-party vendor provides neither access to ongoing system improvements, nor a singular, holistic view of the system. This lack of information can limit system performance, drive unnecessary parts costs and even lead to system failure.

Using the OEM as a single-source parts provider saves time, simplifies accountability and helps get the most out of long-term automation investments. For more information, visit Intelligrated's OnTimeParts.com parts procurement website or read the Intelligrated white paper, The Value of OEM Genuine Parts vs. the Cost of Generic Parts. 

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