PRODUCTION MODE, KEY COMPONENTS AND BARRIERS

Relatively open industry chain, continuous optimization of core technology, and most of them adopt OEM mode

At present, Most of the shared power banks on the market are cabinet-type,

And the manufacturing is a combination of hardware, software and technology, involving technologies such as the Internet of Things and cloud management.

Although this industry chain is very mature, the threshold of entering this industry is not high. Many companies choose to enter this industry every year,the difference is the company’s operation mode. First, the selection and optimization of key components led to the difference in product quality.

And the other is the supply chain, choosing different production methods and product standards will have an impact on product quality and cost reduction.

Choosing different production methods and product standards will have an impact on product quality and cost reduction.

Most shared power companies adopt independent R&D and OEM production. Some independent production companies rely on the parent company’s 3C industry resources, or provide functions and prices after all ODM outsourcing.

The first two have more advantages in controlling quality and cost. It is expected that the future optimization direction is the safety of power banks (hygiene safety and information security), and the improvement of the sense of borrowing and returning.

Patent is a dual consideration of technical barriers and business strategy, but it is difficult to change the pattern

According to incomplete statistics, as of February 2020, there have been more than 80 cases of patent disputes related to shared power banks, and the amount of compensation is generally one million or even ten million.

Among them, the cabinet equipment for storing the power bank and related identification and rental technology are the main points of dispute (for example, the technology of transporting the power bank in and out).

Patent barriers are necessary because the losing party will be required to remove the product, the agent will withdraw, and even its listing will be delayed, and the valuation will be affected.

But on the other hand, patent wars are time-consuming and labor-intensive, and due to the fast iteration speed of TMT industry products, the process of establishing the status of leading companies is faster, patent wars have time risks, and usually have more obvious effects on fast-growing opponents. Therefore, patents are an indispensable barrier, but they are not an effective means to seize the market. They rely more on capital strength, optimizing operations, and realizing value-added.