Arecont's net negativity remained the same in IPVM's 2019 integrator study, though integrator's feeling became relatively more neutral compared to 2017's results, as the 2019 response shows:
However, in the past 2 years, Arecont has changed substantially, with the co-founders and long time management out, and having been acquired by Costar.
From 200 integrator responses, we share ~100 responses across key themes:
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Costar told us that Arecont sales had bottomed out in November 2018 due to bankruptcy concerns and not knowing what would happen after the acquisition. However, they say Q1 2019 sales have increased significantly...
As I also said in the ISC West 2019 report, I'd be interested in where these increased sales came from. If they were new prospects / new sales, of if they were timely contract refills, or if Arecont products were fed into already existing contracts Costar had.
Costar response:
While sales are up across most of the Arecont Vision Costar product families, we are seeing an increased demand for our new ConteraIP cameras. Last year we launched several new models and they are now being deployed into new projects and for distributor inventory.
Being part of the Costar family has brought additional opportunities but more importantly, it has brought a new culture where we can focus on customer service, product quality & reliability.
I saw this one in there : "I have no direct experience with the product however what I have heard from others gives me no confidence in their products."
Seriously! Should I be telling you what people tell me about IPVM ? And still I have 5 people in my org signed up and we have taken classes … And still everyone I know passionately hates the IPVM opinionating. Do I propagate their narrowmindedness ?
As far as Arecont is concerned I have several hundred outdoor mounted 4-imager cameras that are still working after more than 12 years in Arizona conditions. I have been replacing those with Arecont cameras and issues are being resolved pretty well when they arise. The only issue I have ever had is RMA process. This is all way better now.
I can speak to the RMA process. I think because we have a good relationship with them and they know our company is very good with the troubleshooting process, our RMA's are very smooth. I get an RMA submitted on a Monday (for example) they have reviewed it and approved it by Tuesday and sometimes it will ship that day or Wednesday. Frequently I have the replacement the same week and the return label is attached to the case online. Honestly, its the easiest RMA of all the products we sell and that is essentially anything that can go on a network or intrusion-related. The RMA is also advanced, where several other companies we deal with want the faulty device back first. Just thought someone should stand up for them on what they do right (for us). I don't need to blow any smoke about the multi-imagers, if you've dealt with them, you probably know the full story.
James, thanks. We did a more recent post on this topic: "New" Arecont Fixes Failures "Without A Fight"
I value IPVM for their reporting and updates but this particular article is a bit skewed I think.
Going through the negative responses, a lot of them seem to be from integrators who had bad experience years ago and have not even tried them recently. So those cannot be considered a 2019 update.
I have been an SI in my past life for over a decade and I did have issues with the image quality in 2011 and stopped using them till '15. But the cameras that I did install never failed and are still running for 9 years. And this is in the middle east with extreme weather conditions.
We did projects with about 2000+ cameras in 2016 and more in 2017 and found a vast improvement in the product lines. I still wouldn't compare them to Axis or Bosch but they were good for their price point and class.
Having moved out of SI business, I honestly do not know the current conditions especially after the acquisition so cannot comment.
Would suggest IPVM to filter and restrict the responses and metrics to reviews from SI/clients who have actually been using the product in recent years.
Your issue could be said in regards to every vendor poll here, but that's not how personal opinions work. If we are asking integrators to rate something that has caused them pain to the point of abandoning the vendor in the past then that is still a valid current opinion; more so if they mention a true timeframe and don't just bash.
I've had terrible experiences with Outback steakhouse in the past, and that's caused me to never give them a fleeting thought, so if my opinion of them is asked that is what I say. My opinion wouldn't be invalid because I decided they were no longer worth the risk.
