OEM
Technology & Computing abbreviation · Software
| Stands for | Original equipment manufacturer |
|---|---|
| Categories | Technology & Computing |
OEM stands for Original equipment manufacturer, a software abbreviation also used in transportation.
Company whose products or components are sold under another firm's brand, or, in the PC world, the maker that builds and sells complete systems such as Dell, HP and Lenovo. "OEM software" is licensed for preinstallation on that maker's hardware.
Example: The OEM copy of Windows is tied to the motherboard it was first activated on.
Usage notes
Usage is confusingly reversed across industries: in car parts, "OEM" means genuine parts from the vehicle maker's supply chain, while "aftermarket" means third-party. Windows OEM licenses cost less than retail ones but cannot be moved to another PC. Pronounced as letters. A related term, ODM (original design manufacturer), describes firms that design as well as build products for other brands.
Related abbreviations
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- OSI – Open Source Initiative
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- OTA – Over-the-air update
- RC – Release candidate
- ROM – ROM image