Abstract

Appendix

Research Scope

This research focuses on servers systems classified by three CPU architectures: x86, RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computing), and others. Servers in this study are further segmented into tower, blade, and rack-mounted form factors, as well as by assembly level, including full system and barebone levels.

Companies surveyed include Taiwanese makers operating ODM, OEM, EMS, CEM, OBM, and private label businesses; production sites and shipment destinations include Taiwan, China, Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia, North America, Latin America, Western Europe and other European countries, and other regions

Product Definitions

Server

Servers are defined as computing systems that are manufactured, sold, and marketed as servers, and employ standard networking operating systems such as NetWare, NT, Linux, and Unix

CPU Architecture

x86

x86 command set architecture adopting CPU from AMD, Intel, or other chipmakers

RISC

RISC command set architecture adopting RISC CPU from HP, IBM, Sun, or other makers

Others

Command set architecture other than x86 or RISC adopting non- x86 or RISC CPU, such as traditional CISC (Complex Instruction Set Computing) or EPIC (Explicitly Parallel Instruction Computing)

Form Factor

Tower

A traditional tower case that can be situated either on a desk or on the ground; there are no standard lengths, widths, or heights

Blade

Case designed to fit in racks, where multiple blades can be installed to share power supply and network bandwidth resources; at present there is no global standard for industrial design or the number of blades that can be simultaneously installed

Rack-Mounted

Designed in adherence to EIA (Electronic Industries Association) standards for length, width, and height, and specifically for use in central computing rooms; standard rack heights are 42U, with 1U equaling 1.75" in height, racks can accommodate multiples of 1U, 2U, or 4U case designs

Assembly Level

Full System
Includes motherboard, CPU, memory, hard disk drive, and is ready for boot-up

Barebone

Includes motherboard, and may have optical disk drive or floppy disk drive installed, but is not equipped with CPU, memory, or hard disk drive

System

Includes Full System and Barebones level shipments

Business Type Definitions

ODM

ODM (Original Design Manufacturing) entails collaborative product design between manufacturer and customer, or product design autonomously undertaken by the manufacturer within parameters established by the customer. Following customer verification and order placement, the manufacturer proceeds with production and assembly. The manufacturer does not participate in customer activities related to product conception, branding, sales, or logistics.

OEM

OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturing) entails production and assembly within customer-specified parameters and according to product specifications designated by the customer. The manufacturer does not participate in customer activities related to product conception, branding, sales, or logistics.

EMS/CEM

EMS (Electronics Manufacturing Service) entails production and assembly within customer-specified parameters and according to product specifications designated by the customer. Additionally, the manufacturer provides after-sales services. The manufacturer does not participate in customer activities related to product conception, branding, or sales. The CEM (Contract Electronics Manufacturing) business model is similar to EMS, however, CEM focuses on sub-assembly rather than complete product manufacturing and after-sales services.

OBM

OBM (Own Brand Manufacturing) entails the oversight of product conception, production, branding, sales, and logistics activities by manufacturers themselves. Any goods shipped to customers carry the brand of the manufacturer.

Private Label

"Private label entails product conception, design, and production by manufacturers. Customers affix their own brand and handle branding, sales, and logistics activities. In the PC industry customers within the private label business model are typically referred to as clone or white box makers, most of which are regional channel players or system integrators. In the communications industry, such customers are usually brand-name telecoms, channel players, or system integrators."

Geographic Definitions

Other Asian Countries

Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mauritius, Nepal, North Korea, Seychelles, Sikkim, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand, The Philippines, Vietnam

North America

United States, Canada

Latin America

Argentina, Bahamas, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Colombia, Costa-Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela

Western Europe

Other European Countries