In the IT world, there is great debate around Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) versus third-party transceivers. While OEMs contend that third-party equipment is poorly made and unreliable, it is far from the truth. In this article, we’ll share the facts about third-party alternatives and why they are superior to OEM optics.
What Are Third-Party Optics?
Third-party optics refers to an optical transceiver provided by a vendor, not the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM). Take Cisco, for example. While Cisco sells transceiver modules, they don’t manufacture the equipment themselves. Rather, they source the products from third-party suppliers, rebrand the optics with their logo, and sell them at a much more profitable cost.
The Benefits of Third-Party Optics
Cost-Effective
While there are many differences between OEMs and third-party optics, the price disparity is a primary point of debate. Understandably, businesses want to save money — especially since network transceivers use as much as 15% of enterprises’ network capital — but not if it means sacrificing operational performance and reliability. There is a general misconception that because third-party optics are significantly cheaper than OEM equipment, they are not as dependable. In reality, OEMs do not produce their own optical modules. While the equipment is marked up for profit, it is made from the same materials as third-party optics. OSI Global’s third-party transceivers are manufactured by the same suppliers who code and label the equipment for the OEMs. In this case, even the maintenance costs are reduced up to 80% of OEM services.
High-Quality
With the increasing demand for high-speed data transmission and growing compliance requirements, businesses need more reliable network solutions. That’s where third-party optics come into play. When chosen properly, your third-party optics provider can offer a product that exceeds the physical specs and performance required by the OEMs. Plus, third-party providers produce optics in accordance with strict MSA standards to ensure the reliability and lifetime of the equipment.
Reliable
Unlike most OEMs, third-party sellers typically provide long-term support for their products. OEMs offer shorter, less flexible warranty periods available for a small window after purchase. Businesses instead prefer several levels of service options and timely support. OSI’s transceivers come with a lifetime warranty. In addition, third-party vendors like OSI Global will offer a single contract to support you in multiple service areas without the headache and the time constraints.
OSI Optical Networking Solutions
OSI Global offers a wide range of third-party optics that match or exceed OEM specs. We engineer and code them in-house, but they can interoperate across all platforms and come in all form factors, including 400G QSFP-DD, ZR, and ZR+. The best part — they are significantly cheaper than OEM optics, are regularly in stock, and, in most cases, can be shipped overnight.
Are you interested in third-party optics? Learn more about OSI Global’s optical transceivers and the benefits they can provide your organization. If you’re ready to order, OSI can quickly provide the optical transceivers you need at significantly reduced prices.