ADI Proves It Knows Nothing About Surveillance

What?!

He doesn't even mention that you can improve the quality of recorded images to help identify bombers just by replacing your VHS tapes more frequently??

Pathetic.

Just to pick a small nit (and yes, it does depend on your definition of a "major event"), but Boston was not really "the first major event where mobile phones played an equal if not greater role in identifying criminals" (although the previous one DID INVOLVE Boston...)

In any case... these articles actually read like they were written in about 2004. I had to search some of the phrases to see if any or most of the blog content was listed from old websites or something (found nothing - it appears to all be original, newly-written content).

I have purchased products through ADI for many years and will probably continue to do so. I think the independent contractor/systems integrator business would be crippled with out ADI in my region.

I make a realistic assumption about the level of expertise and product knowledge that will be available directly from ADI. When I need information beyond the glossy, I contact the manufacture through the WEB or directly.

I am the systems integrator, I take the in-depth product knowledge responsibilities upon myself. Systems design and implementation is how I earn my piece of the pie.

ADI is a stocking distributor, with direct delivery capability and local counter sales for commodity items. Inventory, vendor relationships and logistics is what I tap into when I use them.

I just don’t see ADI’s position in the food chain the same way they are being critiqued and because they have been a real asset to me, I’m inclined to provide them a little cover. Hasn’t anyone else found their inventory indispensable at times?

I do not rely on the manufacturer or distributor for design, but use them for product information and to understand what's working and not or better yet, who is cheating on their specs to get field feedback. I've seen some horrible rep designs over the years especially since they live in their product mix box and don't see the big picture in a lot of cases. I agree that ADI is fantastic at logistics and getting me product quick. Caveat Emptor

ADI is a very large company, how well does their system design group perform?

Maybe IPVM could randomly conduct a few design support requests and share the results.

I will say I recently did an install in a new ADI branch and thought their design was a little odd. Even some of the employees of the branch thought the same. They chose to install analog cctv in a brand new branch, while touting the benefits of IP. While I agree there are many benefits to IP over analog, why install an analog CCTV system in a brand new branch?

For their little after hours pickup area, they opted for a cheap all in one pin pad to control access instead of a half decent access control system that could give protection as well as be easier to control.

Unfortunately Joe Public is conditioned into believing this type of Bull Shit.

They make claims that any professional installer knows cannot be delivered upon, but the newbie falls for this line of BS and sells the solution to his end-user customer. For the newbie the steep learning curve begins!

End result: the end user thinks the installer is no good and CCTV is a waste of time.

The newbie learns that he cannot trust his supplier “ADI”! And has a choice to (a) become a fly by night type installer saying anything to get the sale, the cheque and not deliver. (b) swallow hard, learn quick, accept the supplier was playing with smoke and mirrors as many suppliers do.

Learn what can be realistically delivered upon, what the customer will pay for that “promise” on a wet Thursday evening when you get down from focusing t he last camera. Under promise and over deliver! and use every opportunity available to make fools of those who over promise.

My pet hate is the ridiculous IR / night vision claims for IR cameras commonly 20m to 30m claims are made. You may see shadows at 30m but you will not get usable images at anything like that. If 25 little led lights are fit to adequately light something 20m away then why would anyone bother with flood lights?

Happy New Year,

Jim

I realize the thread is about ADI's blog, but that opens up a can of worms for sure...you would think Honeywagon/Ademco would have real experts on board to help exploit other manufacturers product lines by promoting their own. ADI = Ademco Distribution Inc which I believe came from Ademco Manufacturing seeing the opportunity to offer their own products while simultaneously selling their competitors product.

Don't you think they like the distribution business because it helps to forward their own product sales. ADI is certainly a large distributor with local branches/convenience centers spread out across the country and now across the globe, selling everything from vacuum cleaners to fire alarm systems.

Given that Honeywagon does own them, why do so many of Honeywell's competitors, ie. Axis, Bosch, Pelco, Panasonic, Sony, Samsung, etc. bother letting them have access to their pricing strategy, marketing efforts and have their products to distribute? Honeywell's video product line has grown significantly since buying ADI.

I think maybe it’s time you understand the makeup of ADI as a whole? while they certainly cannot control the quality of their customers (but maybe they can to some degree), or what their customers say to end users - or how they to either foster the negative or enhance the benefits of the Video surveillance market as a whole.

But certainly fostering a negative image of ADI as a whole based on benign marketing speak, is just ridiculous.

These are press release statements, designed around creating the awareness and benefits of Video surveillance and Video security as a whole....and the benefits of what some distribution channels can offer as a value added service.....

Technically speaking it works (as its described) - what you don’t know is its likely the customer likes what they have, however old and outdated, and just wanted remote IP browser viewing......nothing more.....

Is it ideal? Likely not.....you don’t know the constraints placed on the installer, and in turn were placed on ADI to make a kluge design work....

For system design on a daily basis you would not be engaging the Product manager, but rather the design group.

John,

of course you leave out an important part of the example - so it would appear you showcase selective jounalism, to fit an agenda...

Below clearly mentions it is not an ideal solution - and it may be one that forces the customer to reach deeper into their wallet, and invest in proper equipment with better quality....

"It’s important to note that if the original analog CCTV images are of low quality, transmitting them through the LAN and the Internet will not improve the images; it is likely that due to lower available bandwidth the viewing over the Internet will provide lower quality images than will be seen on the local monitor. While some dealers may see this as a negative, putting the existing CCTV system onto the Internet may well cause the client to see that their older cameras are not providing the quality of images they want. Putting the old cameras on the Internet may well nudge the client into updating their cameras, providing new sales opportunities for security dealers."

John,

I don’t believe my name was hidden in most of my posts...Its likely I forgot more than most know in this industry.... :)~

Your just harping on an issue that really isnt relevant and your embellishing on it just to prove a point or agenda - but certainly this one example does not define the organization as whole. And certainly an organization that has done more good for the industry as a whole, then this web site ever will with topics such as this...

As for my past affiliations, they’re extensive, and I have no need to self-promote myself by listing them...

Hope this helps