Subscriber Discussion

I Am MUCH More Surprised By The Steep Learning Curve Of Milestone - And If It's Not Against EULA...

TH
Truman HW
•Dec 26, 2017

I'd like to hire someone to help me. An individual, who's affordable, communal, and whom I sure do hope I don't come off seeming like a total retard but someone who just needed a little help. I'm just stuck, have no familiarity with VMS systems, and would be very open to learning from someone... as well as making like minded friends. 

Is using this as such a bulletin board service to compensate someone to the extent I can for answers to my stumbling blocks something that seems in line with the community standards? 

I want to learn, I'm not rich, but I don't deserve it for free... and have a much more recent background in Mac work. 

JH
Jay Hobdy
•Dec 26, 2017
IPVMU Certified

I assume its OK if John doesn't take it down.

 

You may want to post your approximate location if you want hands-on support. Or time zone if you think this is something someone could help you with via a phone call and a screen share.

 

 

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TH
Truman HW
•Dec 26, 2017
In reply to Jay Hobdy

ReaniMac
1653 N La Brea Ave
Los Angeles, Ca 90028

Call 323.481.8280... generally night time is best - day time I'm slammed. 

I hope this isn't stepping on John's Toes... I just need to get the vernacular of the vernacular down. 

JH
John Honovich
•Dec 26, 2017
IPVM
In reply to Truman HW

Sure, that's fine if you are ok with it.

UM
Undisclosed Manufacturer #1
•Dec 26, 2017

I work for Milestone and would be glad to talk you through a few things if that helps. Maybe John can send you my email privately?

TH
Truman HW
•Dec 26, 2017
In reply to Undisclosed Manufacturer #1

Hi, I'm Truman... 

TrumanHW@gmail.com

323.481.8280

 

Feel free to call - while I may not be available upon receiving your call can certainly set up a time to talk. :) And... I have questions about pricing, too. :) I can also set up screensharing... teamviewer Okay? 

Avatar
Sean Nelson
•Dec 26, 2017
Nelly's Security

Not trying to troll the thread but why do you have to pay for tech support? Why isn't your Milestone dealer and/or Milestone helping you out with this? Edited: Just saw Milestone employee reply before I posted this. I would call them for help!

This goes back to my statement a few months ago on how convoluted milestone is to end users and how a POE NVR is much easier to setup and manage.

At any rate, I do hope you get it set up. Not trying to knock milestone as far as reliability, I know once its setup and you learn it, it will be a solid system for you.

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TH
Truman HW
•Dec 26, 2017

I volunteered to pay for support because I'm using the free client, and feel like a leech taking something for free, then consuming someone's time setting it up. 

The truth is, this is a demo, and I do anticipate paying to play... but why should anyone trust me ?

 

"Words are empty containers until filled by actions." 

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U
Undisclosed #2
•Dec 26, 2017
IPVMU Certified
In reply to Truman HW

"Words are empty containers until filled by actions."

aka, “Money talks”

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TH
Truman HW
•Dec 26, 2017
In reply to Undisclosed #2

Exactly. Just hoped to be less cliche than "actions speak louder than words." Which is just so cliche it's annoying. 

UI
Undisclosed Integrator #3
•Dec 26, 2017
In reply to Truman HW

Just wanted to add this for what its worth.

Part of vetting products from manufacturers is also evaluating their technical support. By calling them with a setup question you are gaining valuable insight in how the will handle you as a customer and what to expect. Some companies cannot support products to save their lives.

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U
Undisclosed #2
•Dec 26, 2017
IPVMU Certified
In reply to Truman HW

I volunteered to pay for support because I'm using the free client...

With which server?

UM
Undisclosed Manufacturer #1
•Dec 28, 2017
In reply to Undisclosed #2

He's using the free Essential+. If he chooses to upgrade to a paid version, it is just a license key change.

U
Undisclosed #2
•Dec 28, 2017
IPVMU Certified
In reply to Undisclosed Manufacturer #1

Is there any support before upgrading, what about after?

UI
Undisclosed Integrator #4
•Dec 28, 2017

Truman HW, I think you have exactly the right attitude, in terms of being willing to pay for support.  Someone correct me if I am mistaken, but I believe Milestone XProtect Essential+ is offered free, but comes (understandably) with no or virtually no phone tech support available.  (Though there appears to be a very rich knowledge base.)  As another integrator mentioned, you could buy a license to upgrade to a paid version, for availability of Milestone support.  

But even in a paid-version scenario, I don't think I as an integrator should expect Milestone to train me from zero to deploy and configure a complete VMS.  

Since you are a Mac guy, you are likely very smart, and probably just need a few basic tips to get started, and then just need to spend some hours over the coming weeks and months getting familiar with the VMS.  After a while, you should be just fine.

Being willing to pay a few bucks for some hand-holding from someone who already knows the product well is a great idea, and very fair.

Good luck!

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UI
Undisclosed Integrator #5
•Dec 28, 2017

We have a couple hundred Milestone installations currently deployed, but have been moving away from that platform for a few years now. 

I'll sum up my opinion with a couple of simple statements: Milestone is one of the most difficult VMS platforms to set up optimally - And it is one of the easiest to set up in such a way that it will fail or perform terribly.

20 years of experience and I am twice certified on the Milestone xProtect platform.

Exacqvision, paired with the right cameras is far more stable & capable.

Milestone does have a nice app though...

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