Do You Like This Manufacturer Ad?

I in no way would ever compare my business to people who put their life on the line.

I think we can all understand the obvious visuals.... I 'liked' the ad because I think it will be effective - as the bulk of their customer base is consumer/street level dealer. This demographic has a demonstrated need for technical assistance for anything not explicitly covered in the manual picture pages. So they should respond to the 'warm fuzzy' the ad is intended to impart. I like it because it is targeted at their type of customer.

That said, if this ad ran in SSN or SIW (or any industry publication that takes advertising), the message (and value) is weakened. Integrators don't need manufacturer support to 'put out fires'. They are the ones doing that. An ad targeted to increase the value of manufacturer technical support to integrators should target their particular pain points.

Example: An ad, a la Jimmy John's, that focuses on the speed with which my call will be answered by your manufacturer technical support staff while my customer breathes down my neck would be far stronger.

Also, not to nit-pick, but according to their own visuals, I'm not too confident in their choice of 'fire-fighting' tools. An axe and a claw-thingy, a protective suit and breathing apparatus (and a helmet). Which one puts out that gargantuan wall of flame? :)

The ad gets your attention and possibly evokes an emotional response, but it has nothing to do with the product.

FYI, of the votes so far, only 15% of integrators like it while 33% of manufacturers do. [Update Feb 9th, now it's 22% integrators, 42% manufacturers - overall improvement but gap remains]. Considering integrators are their target market for this, that's not a good sign. On the other hand, IPVM integrators may not be interested in IC Realtime regardless.

I have installed half a dozen, or so, systems using IC Realtime equipment. I have had one camera failure out of the box, and one camera that died after about six months duty. No trouble getting an RMA for the failures. I have had no DVR or NVR failures. Several times I have had to call tech support from the job site because I was having programming problems with a DVR or an NVR (One of their problems is that their manuals are not written well). If you can get tech support on the first call, that's great. What usually happens, though, is the receptionist will check with them, because there is no direct line, and she will come back and tell you that tech support is with other clients, and will call you back. There is no option to be placed on hold.

Sometimes, it may be a while before they call back. Meanwhile, you're stuck doing nothing and maybe feeling foolish in front of your client while waiting for their call. Occasionally, the call may not be returned until the next day. IC Realtime has two locations in the US, Arizona and Florida. I think there are two techies at each location. They are knowledgeable enough if you can get to them in a reasonable time.

So, the reason I don't like the ad is because I don't believe their tech support is always there when you really need them. Besides, it looks like the fireman got there too late, anyway. I see nothing in the picture left to save.

As it may catch the eye- if I saw this anywhere other than this site I would have no idea what product or service this ad is for. It conveys the message but not what the company does in any way.