OEMs vs Third Party Providers: What’s the Difference?

Any business, large or small, has a data center and internal network. These networks require maintenance. Most companies hire service providers responsible for channel alliances, but in fact, there is another way…and it’s cheaper. Enter Reliant Technology.

Our guest today, Mike Steiner, Director of Technical Services with Reliant Technology, broke down this complex system with over 16 years of experience in manufacturing.

OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturer) have typically been the point of contact for provider partnerships. On today’s podcast we focused on the key differences between Reliant Technology, a third party provider, and OEMs, learning about client stories and case studies that explain why OEMs are not the only way.

Using a “hybrid maintenance strategy,” Steiner explained what sets Reliant Technology apart. He carefully explained the inverse relationship between OEMs and a third party approach.

“The more market share the brand has…the more parts there are on the open market,” he said, explaining how the price goes down as demand rises.

“Because we are a third party provider we have all the skill sets that you would expect for the data center work that we do,” Steiner said, explaining why Reliant Technology is fully capable of the task at hand. Additionally, Reliant Technology is a smaller organization, allowing for more flexibility and a personal feel and approach.

Steiner divulged where he sees the future of third party providers going, elaborating on why he believes there will be more adoption over time, and why people will be more open to building solutions out of used gear.

For the latest news, videos, and podcasts in the Software & Electronics Industry, be sure to subscribe to our industry publication.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!
Twitter – @TechMKSL
Facebook – facebook.com/marketscale
LinkedIn – linkedin.com/company/marketscale

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

private equity
Alts Innovators: UT Austin’s Dr. Ken Wiles on Private Equity
December 15, 2025

Private equity is entering a period of adjustment after decades of expansion fueled by falling interest rates and abundant capital. That long-running tailwind reversed beginning in 2022, when interest rates rose sharply, disrupting deal activity, slowing exits, and bringing renewed attention to a long-standing vulnerability in private markets: liquidity. Industry reports have highlighted softer fundraising,…

Read More
SPD
Getting SPD Teams to the Table: Why Sterile Processing Deserves a Central Role in Surgical Planning and Operations
December 15, 2025

Sterile Processing Departments (SPDs) remain the backbone of safe surgical care, yet across the country, they’re still routinely left out of early decision-making around products, construction, staffing, and case planning. As hospitals juggle tighter margins, higher patient acuity, and growing procedural demands, the consequences of excluding SPD voices become unmistakably real—showing up in daily…

Read More
WireXpert
WireXpert MP Wire Mapping Overview
December 13, 2025

In modern network installations, speed alone isn’t enough—precision is what keeps systems reliable and downtime low. Tools like the WireXpert MP cable certifier reflect how far copper cable diagnostics have evolved, moving beyond simple pass-or-fail testing into actionable insight. By running a full 500 MHz sweep on a Category 6A link, technicians can…

Read More
Why Connectivity Has Become the Cornerstone of Modern Industrial Automation
December 11, 2025

Industrial automation is in the middle of a profound shift, as manufacturers push beyond basic control toward fully connected, data-driven operations that bridge the plant floor and the enterprise. What began years ago as early experiments in digital transformation—simply getting PLC data into IT systems—has now accelerated into a critical business imperative fueled by…

Read More