Subscriber Discussion

Preferred (Or Hated) Distributors?

Avatar
Brian Karas
Feb 08, 2017
IPVM

We are planning to run a favorability survey for distributors, similar to the series we have been running for manufacturers (Directory Of Manufacturer Favorability Results).

Who should we include? ADI, Anixter, ScanSource, and Tri-Ed are a given, but I would like to hear feedback/suggestions for other security distributors, either ones we should include because they stand out in a positive way, or ones we should include because they stand out in a negative way.

UD
Undisclosed Distributor #1
Feb 08, 2017

This is going to be way more interesting than the MFG favorabilities! I suppose it'd be poor taste to disclose the nationality of the owners?

(2)
UI
Undisclosed Integrator #2
Feb 09, 2017

AlarMax out of Hackensack has always been very good to us

(1)
UI
Undisclosed Integrator #2
Feb 09, 2017

also to add - if its in stock and ordered by 3pm it ships same day and arrives next day, freight free on orders over $150. 

This kind of reliability and predictability is what has kept us coming back

(1)
KL
Keefe Lovgren
Feb 09, 2017
IPVMU Certified

Alarm Products Distributors are really good to work with, great prices and knowledgeable sales.  They also get orders sent out the door same day as order even when ordered late in the afternoon.

UM
Undisclosed Manufacturer #3
Feb 09, 2017

SDS - Security Data Supply

SES - Security Equipment Supply

CSC - Communication Supply Corp.

 

 

(4)
Avatar
Sean Nelson
Feb 09, 2017
Nelly's Security

Would Anixter and Tri-ed be the same?

(3)
UI
Undisclosed Integrator #5
Feb 16, 2017

Same parent company, same distribution chain, but different internal operations and are more focused on security whereas Anixter seems to be about premium cabling and connectivity.  With some personnel changes recently this may have changed though.

Avatar
Armando Perez
Feb 10, 2017
Hoosier Security and Security Owners Group • IPVMU Certified

SES

Gen IV

Unix

Savvy Tech

DH Vision

 

(1)
Avatar
Brian Karas
Feb 10, 2017
IPVM

Armando, thanks for the response.

For this report, I am planning to focus on distributors in the sense of companies that carry a large catalog of products (wire, cameras, switches, etc.), not distributors in the sense of companies like Gen IV that are more along the lines of importers (though that might be interesting for a different future report).

 

RS
Robert Shih
Feb 13, 2017
Independent

Well...we do have wire, cameras, recorders, switches, baluns, connectors, tools, testers, converters, lenses, mounting hardware, etc.

So does GenIV, DH-Vision, Unix, etc. So...I'm failing to see the distinction here.

JH
John Honovich
Feb 13, 2017
IPVM

I'm failing to see the distinction here.

You are failing to see the distinction between ADI and Anixter vs Savvytech and GenIV?

Outside of that the former does 10 to 100x more in security sales, those companies can broad array of brands for video, access, etc.

RS
Robert Shih
Feb 14, 2017
Independent

More like what draws the line between "distributor" (ADI/Anixter) and "importer" (SavvyTech/GenIV) considering both classes of companies distribute and import? Scale is certainly important, but I doubt it falls into the direct definitions of the words "distributor" and "importer". Now if we were to say modify the terms of this to distinguish more specifically between national distribution chains, regional distributors, and OEM single manufacturer distributors then maybe everything would be less vague, but it's unfair to exclude those companies as distributors altogether.

Classifying those distributors in different categories would make more sense.

JH
John Honovich
Feb 14, 2017
IPVM

Robert, again ADI carries dozens of brands of video and access control products. How many does Savvytech? Dahua and?

RS
Robert Shih
Feb 16, 2017
Independent

Okay, so the distinction is brand variety? That's all I'm asking.

I mean I could list the brands of accessories, but as far as cameras go, it's supposed to be Dahua, Zhongxi, Relong, and a few rare pieces of a brand I shall not speak of sold by people other than myself.

Access control is Dahua, but the actual door hardware is something else. Still getting the details.

As far as power supplies and switches, I believe they're made by Centropower.

So yeah, not a brand hodgepodge of course, but we still "distribute".

UD
Undisclosed Distributor #1
Feb 16, 2017

CCTV Specialists are dead Rob... we need to diversify. This market's saturated and getting old. Old things die.

Avatar
Armando Perez
Feb 14, 2017
Hoosier Security and Security Owners Group • IPVMU Certified

So low voltage distributors? Or more than one line?

There is obviously a big difference between the two in as far as what they carry, I suggested the ones I did because they fit the ipv part of the site. ;)  I've got some others that are access specific if needed.

Avatar
Michael Budalich
Feb 10, 2017
Genetec

I would add Synnex, Accu-Tech, and CSC to the original post. Graybar is active as well.

(3)
Avatar
Michael Budalich
Feb 10, 2017
Genetec

Jenne is another: https://www.jenne.com/default.aspx

 

They sell Panasonic and Hanwha IP cameras.

(1)
UI
Undisclosed Integrator #5
Feb 16, 2017

They do have far more than Panasonic and Hanwha as well, though those are their core camera lines.  They have been making a big push into security in the last year.

Avatar
Michael Budalich
Feb 16, 2017
Genetec

Far more Like who? Advidia and Westinghouse I didn't mention because they are Hik OEM's.

 

Im willing to bet 90% or more of their camera sales are with Hanwha and Panasonic. Don't mislead the readers of this forum and state they sell far more. 

 

UD
Undisclosed Distributor #4
Feb 13, 2017

Please add WESCO Distribution(Formerly CSC Communications Supply Corp)

(1)
Avatar
Armando Perez
Feb 14, 2017
Hoosier Security and Security Owners Group • IPVMU Certified

Had no idea CSC had changed names. Show's how often we use them.

(1)
(1)
sp
sam pascucci
Feb 27, 2017

Preferred IC Realtime 

(1)
UD
Undisclosed Distributor #1
Feb 27, 2017

Is this because of Technical Support? I know it's not price... I'm interested as to why some people prefer certain distributors, well American companies anyway. I know why people use Chinese companies (price).

(1)
New discussion

Ask questions and get answers to your physical security questions from IPVM team members and fellow subscribers.

Newest discussions