TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:Turn-key solutions From:geoff-h -at- MTL -dot- FERIC -dot- CA Date:Fri, 30 May 1997 12:56:08 -0500
E.T. Hull noted that "co-maker" does not mean the same as
"OEM" in his context, and proposed "turn-key supplier".
Ed, a turn-key solution is something that the end user
doesn't have to fiddle with at all: they just sit down in
the driver's seat, turn the key, and start driving. I've
lost the beginning of the thread, but does this really
match your situation? You mentioned "a machine builder who
designs, constructs, installs and maintains the machines
used to produce an end product such as candy bars" and "the
machine builder is not supplying parts for the final
product but supplies the production equipment." This sounds
pretty much like a turn-key solution to me.
The difference between this and an OEM is a bit subtle
sometimes. An OEM would assemble the candy-making machine
from parts they purchased from various manufacturer; they
might then use the machine themselves, or more likely,
would sell it to someone else to use. Computer vendors are
usually OEMs; people who buy the computers and add software
or hardware to turn them into point-of-sales systems are
turnkey vendors. Does this get you nearer to an answer?
--Geoff Hart @8^{)} geoff-h -at- mtl -dot- feric -dot- ca
Disclaimer: Speaking for myself, not FERIC.
TECHWR-L (Technical Communication) List Information: To send a message
to 2500+ readers, e-mail to TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU -dot- Send commands
to LISTSERV -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU (e.g. HELP or SIGNOFF TECHWR-L).
Search the archives at http://www.documentation.com/ or search and
browse the archives at http://listserv.okstate.edu/archives/techwr-l.html