Everyone needs to focus a little more clearly on the distinction of "selling" direct and actually having a manufacturer doing business directly with an end user. I have no proof that Avigilon has bypassed integrators but I do have many examples of them quoting/budgeting end users (this is a fact), meeting with end users without any systems integrators chosen/selected or even aware that said meetings were taking place (this is a fact). Mr. Mason clearly is having a different experience than others, this is good, for him. Now, we want manufacturers to stimulate sales, this is a good thing which we all can probably agree BUT I don't want to lead or represent a manufacture that talks about budget's/quotes/costs and set expectations with my potential/future customer before I am even in the picture (fact). Lastly, when the above has happened, Avigilon has brought in multiple "dealers" and as I said before, all this does is bring down margin, a waste of time. To be clear, I have made no comment about their product, just on how they go to market. I have walked into opportunities and found out they had Avigilon already and learned that it was installed by an electrical contractor, or by an HVAC company (fact!).
NOTICE: This comment was moved from an existing discussion: Avigilon Is Trying To Sell To Me Direct