In our previous post, we explored the shift from warehouses to web — from stockpiling spare parts to producing them on demand. But there’s another transformation happening behind the scenes: the role of the OEM is evolving from owner of inventory to orchestrator of digital production. Without OEMs, on-demand supply chains cannot reach their full potential.
Why OEMs Holds the Key
Digital spare parts ecosystems rely on the OEM as design integrity guardian. The original part designer has the requisite knowledge and experience to ensure that products are properly engineered and remain fit for purpose over their intended service life. Losing this can lead to major consequences, such as:
- Parts risk being produced incorrectly or inconsistently, impacting the reliability of operations.
- Compliance and quality standards can’t be enforced across multiple manufacturing locations.
- The ecosystem cannot scale securely.
Think of it like streaming platforms: content creators control the rights, and the platform ensures those rights are respected. Similarly, OEMs ensure every part produced from a digital file is genuine, certified, and aligned with their standards.
Redefining Ownership: From Holding IP to Leveraging It
Traditionally, to ensure a secure supply of parts, the norm is to store them close to where they are needed. On-demand manufacturing on digital subscription models changes that view. By shifting to enabling secure, controlled access, for example through digital subscription models with an agreed set of terms for delivery, OEMs can unlock new revenue streams while retaining total control.
With a secure digital inventory:
- Intellectual Property stays protected, with production authorized only through trusted controlled channels.
- The cost of operations is optimized, with reduced risk of maintaining large warehouses.
- Access to a wider market becomes simpler, unlocking new potential value.
- Parts can be produced on demand with new manufacturing technologies, improving responsiveness.
The OEM of the future won’t just sell parts — they will enable production anywhere, anytime, while contributing to a less material-intensive industry.
Building Trust in the Ecosystem
Transitioning to on-demand production requires trust. Engineers, procurement teams, and local manufacturers need to rely on the process: that digital files are accurate and secure.
OEMs play a critical role in enabling trust within an on-demand supply chain:
- Certification of digital part designs ensures consistent, repeatable production quality across all approved manufacturing sites.
- Continuous improvement of part design is driven by real-world fleet data and the OEM’s evolving engineering expertise.
- Controlled authorization of manufacturing partners safeguards part integrity and prevents unauthorized or sub-standard production.
- Active presence and visibility across the supply network reinforces confidence, transparency, and accountability for all stakeholders.
By validating workflows and setting standards, OEMs don’t lose control — they gain oversight and traceability, allowing on-demand production without compromising quality. Efficient workflows streamline communication and accelerate innovation, while clear and well-defined relationships minimize the risk of cannibalization and replication.
Commercial Models That Work for OEMs
At Fieldnode, we’ve developed frameworks that make on-demand production both secure and commercially attractive for OEMs.
- OEMs set the stage and maintain full control over terms and compensation.
- Production remains fully authorized and compliant, protecting the know-how while enabling flexible operations.
- The principle of least privilege is embedded throughout our platform’s design and operations, ensuring business integrity across every stage of the on-demand paradigm shift.
This is more than operational efficiency — it’s a new business model that transforms intellectual property and expertise into an even greater competitive advantage, one that can be leveraged globally, securely, and profitably.
The Road Ahead
The future of spare parts isn’t just about technology. It’s about trust, collaboration, and mindset shifts. And that trust begins with the OEM. Those who embrace digital inventories, leverage their know-how in new ways, and enable on-demand production will lead the supply chains of tomorrow.
At Fieldnode, we guide OEMs through this transformation — safeguarding IP, streamlining operations, and unlocking new commercial opportunities. In our next article, we’ll explore real-life examples of OEMs successfully monetizing their digital spare parts networks.
Stefan Jansson
Commercial Director
