TOOLBOX: OEM

Atomicat is an original equipment manufacturer (OEM), a company that produces parts and equipment that may be marketed by another manufacturer.

OEMs typically rely on their ability to drive down the cost of production through economies of scale. Using an OEM allows the purchasing company to obtain needed components or products without owning and operating a factory. Our technology and years of experience in working in emerging markets resolving payments, distribution, product development, integrations and reward distribution have made us useful to bigger projects.

In many cases we are contracted as an OEM to create official versions of online only products to work on non-smartphone supporting formats like messaging and USSD. Developing for USSD is significantly different from developing for online games.

This track record gives us experience in two key aspects, being confidentiality and collaboration.

Collaboration

We understand how to work with others.

We are sensitive to the usual "who are these guys" questions and do our utmost to work as effectively and efficiently. Typically we need APIs from the online only guys, but are happy to help our partners in how to optimise what we need. We are familiar with almost all development languages, architectures, operating systems, methodologies and more.

We have worked with large teams all over the world, in most cases never meeting the others in person or even speaking the same languages. Geography and culture are not difficult to overcome if you work at it. What is very important is respect and discipline. We do what we say, we answer when asked, we stick to timelines, we ask when not sure, we do our best work etc. Anything less will fail.

No company has a complete solution for every circumstance, collaborating with others is a pragmatic strategy to achieve your goals.

Confidentiality

We know when to keep our mouth shut.

A good OEM or component supplier is not the star of the show. We understand what matters is the success of the project. We are used to working anonymously inside the team. We do not see participation in a consortium as a means to leap frog towards the end client - such behaviour is unethical and self defeating.

As such we stick to agreements for confidentialy as required by our clients and partners. It means foregoing slick case studies and slides full of client logos. It also means we have a very strong reputation in both sensitive and complex areas.