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For most products, you have a choice where to go for service and repairs. Even with the latest computerized vehicles, you can still go to a (qualified) mechanic for your maintenance - even if you have to go to a dealership to purchase the parts. So why are your building's electronic systems any different? While there are a number of non-proprietary systems available, these are primarily targeted towards smaller & simpler installations. Once you've passed a certain threshold - your fire alarm, access control, nurse call, even sound system is usually a proprietary system. For this reason, among others, selecting your electronic system vendor is as delicate a decision as a marriage. It's an expensive proposition - and it costs even more to get divorced! Make sure you are ready to commit for at least the next ten years before you choose a vendor for a proprietary installation - because you're going to have to deal with them for quite some time regardless of what happens after the installation. Now, there some reasons for this - and some of them may even be valid. Manufacturers are concerned (rightly) about the installation and maintenance of their products - because a poor installation can ruin the reputation of a quality product. Similarly, improper maintenance & service can lead to costly problems. The accepted?! practice to handle this means limiting distribution of the product to a select group of trained dealers - sometimes down to a single dealer or branch office in a given area. Deliberate or not - the result is a direct application of the law of supply & demand. With a limited source for services - the price charged by these vendors goes up - because they can. Just as every car or truck has the same basic components - so do your electronic systems. Almost every system functions in a near identical manner - after all, there are only so many ways a panel can indicate "fire". Additionally, most of the components of a given system, except for the panels themselves, are usually the product of another manufacturer who OEM's them to a number of system vendors. That's why some systems look so similar - they actually are the same product with a different label. And just like auto mechanics, electronic technicians learn to apply standard techniques to different products. Some engines may be more difficult to work on than others - but a wrench pulls out a spark plug just the same. Working on a particular make or model may require some special knowledge - but such instructions are contained in the service manuals. The difference is due to a lack of regulation in the industry - electronic systems vendors are not required to disclose these instructions the way car manufacturers have to. However, while manufacturers have resorted to a variety of practices, including direct threats to building owners - some independent companies have been able to access this information and thus provide repair services without being "factory authorized". These companies utilize trained & licensed professional technicians, who have years of experience with a variety of products - and who are able to apply their experience to new situations. In some cases - these are ex-employees of some of the proprietary vendors, which means that while their "authorization" is no longer valid - there's nothing wrong with their knowledge. As a building owner, you wouldn't want anything to invalidate the warranty of your installation - but that warranty is normally only a year. After that, the manufacturer considers the product out of warranty anyway - so using a "non-authorized" service provider does nothing - except save money. In point of fact, there is actually very little to be gained as a customer by dealing with these proprietary vendors (other than a lack of alternatives). But if you can find an alternative service company with qualified people - there really isn't any reason not to use them, unless you enjoy spending money on your building's upkeep. |
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