From a self-described "small integrator" criticizing the Research Service / Info+ split:
People are actually paying $199 a year for what amounts to a bulletin board-style discussion forum which could be had for free anywhere else? Good grief.
While I can understand why many small integrators only care about tests and technical posts, they don't understand what managers and executives at companies are interested in at IPVM. Here are some examples of top subscriber read posts in the last few weeks that are part of the $199 annual Info+ plan:
- Favorite Access Control Manufacturers 2022
- Hanwha Techwin Financials and Future Examined
- HID Sues WaveLynx
- ACRE "New Revolution Is Here" (2022 Profile)
- Evolv Hides Critical Details in NCS4 Results
- ADT Commercial Argues "Unique Growth Opportunity"
- i-PRO Speaks to IPVM About Panasonic Independent Future
Most people who subscribe to IPVM are managers or executives at companies who read those reports regularly (though do not regularly comment, unlike many small integrators).
The discussion in the comments is fine, for the most part, but the thing that managers and executives are primarily paying for and reading is our substantive reporting. It's reasonable for small integrators to not care about reading those but I'd hope they understand that many others find it valuable.