OEM vs ODM for smart displays: which one do you need?

Short answer: OEM puts your brand on a product the factory already makes; ODM designs a new product for you and then makes it. Choose OEM when an existing model does the job and speed matters. Choose ODM when you need a shape, feature set or user experience no catalog model offers.

Side-by-side

	OEM	ODM
Starting point	Existing production model	Your requirements
What changes	Logo, color, boot screen, packaging, peripheral options	Cabinet, mainboard configuration, software, user flow
Tooling	Usually none	May be needed for new shapes
Timeline	Shorter	Longer: design, sample, revisions
Certification	Base-model reports usually apply	New testing may be needed
Uniqueness	Others can buy the same base model	A product nobody else sells

When OEM is right

You are a distributor building a private-label range, a brand testing a new market, or an integrator who wants the same hardware across projects. You need a branded product quickly and with low risk.

When ODM is right

Your product idea depends on the hardware: a kiosk with an unusual peripheral combination, a cabinet that must fit a specific space, or a device that will be sold under your brand as your own product line. A factory that designs its own mainboards and software can develop hardware and software together.

The middle path

Many projects start as OEM and move toward ODM: first a branded standard model to prove demand, then a new cabinet or board once volumes justify it.

What to prepare

• Where and how the product will be used
• Screen size, quantity and target price
• Target market and required certifications
• Sketches, reference products or competitor models
• Software: yours, ours, or to be developed

Frequently asked questions