Reseller Management on GeM OEM Panel

In the ever-changing world of public procurement, the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) is standing out by introducing its OEM Panel, designed to simplify the procurement process and improve the communication between Government agencies and suppliers. OEM Panel that simplifies the procurement landscape by ensuring that the original manufacturer of equipment (OEMs) can connect directly with the Government.

The OEM Panel is available on GeM portal and functions as special platform that permits manufacturers to directly sell their products to Government Agencies. The platform makes sure that the products sold conform to government policies, and promotes an efficient and transparent procurement process. By facilitating direct links with manufacturers, the panel does not just guarantee authenticity and quality but also encourages savings by avoiding unauthorized sellers and fake products.

OEM Panel allows manufacturers to manage their reseller relations by granting authorization codes that can be revoked and also approving or disapproving catalog submissions. This control extends to the price and approval of catalogs, making sure that the products featured conform to OEM standards.

If you are new to the process, knowing the meaning of OEM on GeM will be vital. Navigating the steps required for OEM registration can ensure compliance and allow manufacturers make the most of the possibilities offered by GeM's platform.

The benefit of the OEM panel is that it provides complete control to the original equipment manufacturer over resellers or third-party vendors for their products. Access to the OEM panel is crucial in managing and approving resellers on the Gem platform. Vendors who wish to use the exclusive features of OEM need to register themselves with the GeM portal itself.

These are the following benefits of accessing the OEM panel.

• You can manage catalogues and resellers' authorization using the OEM panel.
• Resellers won't be able to see the authorization code once removed by the OEM.
• Once the OEM has authorized the reseller, the confirmation status will also be updated on the reseller panel.
• Resellers can request approval from any GeM OEM for their products, and once approved product will be paired with the reseller on their profile.

The OEM panel provides the following functionality as per the category of product quadrants.

1. For Q2 category products: OEMs can upload authorization codes for their products. These codes can be used by resellers on their (reseller panel) to get authorized on GeM. OEMs can also process price change requests raised by resellers.

2. For Q3 category products: Original equipment manufacturers can approve or reject catalogues uploaded by any reseller on the GeM portal. OEM can also support or leave a reseller and authorization code uploaded by resellers.

3. For Q4 category products: OEMs can approve or reject catalogues uploaded by any reseller for such quadrant categories.

Note: Q1 category products are exempted from this because resellers cannot participate in the quadrant 1 category.

OEM can handle the pairing of the reseller's request on the panel as per the respective product quadrants. Generally, OEM panel approvals and authorization are required for the Q3 and Q4 category.

1. For Quadrant (Q3): : If the reseller is pairing for the first time in the existing catalogue, then the reseller's credentials, such as name & authorization code, will go to the OEM for approval. The reseller's listing will be published only after authorization & permission by the OEM.

The listing will be auto-approved if the reseller pairs with a different catalogue in the same category with the same credentials and authorization code.

2. For Quadrant (Q4): For the resellers of brands with OEM panels, resellers can pair with the existing catalogue without approval.

The resellers of Q3 & Q4 products can upload new catalogue approval requests to their respective OEM vendors. OEMs have up to 72 hours to either approve or reject the request.

This has to be with the reasons recorded in the catalogue management system, and resellers have the right to represent the OEM directly against rejection.

If the OEM vendor does not act on the reseller's request within 72 hours, then the OEMs own products uploading process will be kept on hold until all the pending requests are eliminated within the next 72 hours.

Effective management of resellers through the GeM portal ensures easy transactions, compliances, and good sales. The following step-by-step approach is helpful to ease the procedure.

• Login to the GeM portal using username and password.
• Navigate to the dashboard section on your Gem profile.
• Once the dashboard is opened, locate my action section.
• Now click on the OEM panel tab (This option will be only available to sellers with RITES vendor assessment or to exempted vendors).
• Henceforth click on the manage reseller button on the right-hand side and proceed further.

Reseller approvals on the GeM portal ensure quality as well as compliances. Therefore, the entire procedure of reseller approval shall be managed accordingly, step by step.

• OEMs reserve the right to approve or disapprove any reseller for their manufactured products through the manage approval option.
• OEMs can select brands as per the category through the OEM panel.
• All the requests made by resellers, such as catalogue approval, pricing approval & authorization request under the catalogue tab, can be accessed through manage approval.
• To mark any seller as authorized or unauthorized. OEMs must select the seller's name and keep it valid or invalid.
• In the authorization tab, you can authorize & unauthorize the codes of resellers by choosing the seller & clicking valid code or invalid code.

All the activities mentioned above can be managed through the OEM panel only by authorized OEMs for their product.

Proper management of reseller approvals on the GeM portal is a necessity to maintain compliance, uphold quality standards, and optimize business operations. An organized approval process will avoid unwanted sellers, make the system transparent, and earn the trust of buyers. Correct procedures will ensure streamlined reseller networks, more visibility for products, and enhanced sales opportunities for businesses with government buyers. Keeping up to date with GeM guidelines and continuous monitoring of reseller activities will further add to the smooth and efficient process of procurement, thus contributing to long-term business growth and success.

Therefore, it is advisable to get an expert consultant to avoid rejection during the GeM assessment process by the Rail India Technical and Economic Service.