Lenel Partners Angry, Lenel Does Not Care
Author: IPVM Team, Published on Sep 01, 2016
Login to read this IPVM report.
Why do I need to log in?
IPVM conducts unique testing and research funded by member's payments enabling us to offer the most independent, accurate and in-depth information.
Related Reports
4MP Camera Shootout - Axis, Dahua, DW, Hanwha, Hikvision, Uniview, Vivotek
on Sep 24, 2018
4MP usage continues to climb, especially for lowe cost fixed lens models. To see who was best, we bought and tested seven 4MP models from Axis,...
UTC, Owner of Lenel, Acquires S2
on Sep 20, 2018
UTC now owns two of the biggest access control providers, one of integrator's most hated access control platforms, Lenel, and one of their...
Favorite Request-to-Exit (RTE) Manufacturers 2018
on Sep 19, 2018
Request To Exit devices like motion sensors and lock releasing push-buttons are a part of almost every access install, but who makes the equipment...
Hikvision USA Starts Layoffs
on Sep 18, 2018
Hikvision USA has started layoffs, just weeks after the US government ban was passed into law.
Inside this note, we examine:
The important...
Favorite Intercom Manufacturers 2018
on Sep 14, 2018
Intercoms are certainly increasing in popularity, driven by the integration of video and IP networking. But who is the favorite? On the one side,...
VMS Export Shootout - Avigilon, Dahua, Exacq, Genetec, Hikvision, Milestone
on Sep 13, 2018
When crimes, accidents or problems occur, exporting video from one's video surveillance system is critical to proving incidents.
But who does it...
Door Fundamentals For Access Control Guide
on Sep 12, 2018
Assuming every door can be secured with either a maglock or an electric strike can be a painful assumption in the field. While those items can be...
Ambarella on Computer Vision and US Hikua Ban
on Sep 10, 2018
Ambarella, a widely-used video surveillance component supplier, is betting on the rise of computer vision and is already seeing a sales impact from...
Dahua Low-Cost 4MP Camera Tested (N44CL52)
on Sep 10, 2018
4MP use continues to increase, especially in low-cost models, according to integrators in our 2018 Resolution Usage Statistics.
We bought Dahua's...
Access Control Course Fall 2018
on Sep 06, 2018
Registration IS CLOSED ends this Thursday. Register now.
If you are looking to strengthen your ability to design and deploy access systems or...
Most Recent Industry Reports
Genetec Takes Aim At 'Untrustworthy' 'Foreign Government-Owned Vendors'
on Sep 24, 2018
Genetec is taking aim at 'untrustworthy' 'foreign government-owned vendors'.
This is not a new theme for Genetec as nearly 2 years ago, Genetec...
4MP Camera Shootout - Axis, Dahua, DW, Hanwha, Hikvision, Uniview, Vivotek
on Sep 24, 2018
4MP usage continues to climb, especially for low cost fixed lens models. To see who was best, we bought and tested seven 4MP models from Axis,...
Alexa Guard Expands Amazon's Security Offerings, Boosts ADT's Stock
on Sep 21, 2018
Amazon is expanding their security offerings yet again, this time with Alexa Guard that delivers security audio analytics and a virtual "Fake...
UTC, Owner of Lenel, Acquires S2
on Sep 20, 2018
UTC now owns two of the biggest access control providers, one of integrator's most hated access control platforms, Lenel, and one of their...
BluePoint Aims To Bring Life-Safety Mind-Set To Police Pull Stations
on Sep 20, 2018
Fire alarm pull stations are commonplace but police ones are not.
A self-funded startup, BluePoint Alert Solutions is aiming to make police pull...
SIA Plays Dumb On OEMs And Hikua Ban
on Sep 20, 2018
OEMs widely pretend to be 'manufacturers', deceiving their customers and putting them at risk for cybersecurity attacks and, soon, violation of US...
Axis Vs. Hikvision IR PTZ Shootout
on Sep 20, 2018
Hikvision has their high-end dual-sensor DarkfighterX. Axis has their high-end concealed IR Q6125-LE.
Which is better?
We bought both and tested...
Avigilon Announces AI-Powered H5 Camera Development
on Sep 19, 2018
Avigilon will be showcasing "next-generation AI" at next week's ASIS GSX.
In an atypical move, the company is not actually releasing these...
Favorite Request-to-Exit (RTE) Manufacturers 2018
on Sep 19, 2018
Request To Exit devices like motion sensors and lock releasing push-buttons are a part of almost every access install, but who makes the equipment...
25% China Tariffs Finalized For 2019, 10% Start Now, Includes Select Video Surveillance
on Sep 18, 2018
A surprise move: In July, when the most recent tariff round was first announced, the tariffs were only scheduled for 10%. However, now, the US...
The world's leading video surveillance information source, IPVM provides the best reporting, testing and training for 10,000+ members globally. Dedicated to independent and objective information, we uniquely refuse any and all advertisements, sponsorship and consulting from manufacturers.
Comments (32)
Undisclosed Integrator #1
Even Lenel's silent reaction can be can be summed up by the integrator's comments.
John, Lenel will probably tell you that you need to first pay them for their comment as well as a recurring maintenance fee to allow their their copyrighted comment to remain posted on IPVM as well as paying for a proprietary ASCII integration piece. Without it you're only going to get a response in binary.
Create New Topic
Vasiles Kiosses
Interesting to read this article being an end user. Could it be that on one side we have the Lenel Onguard/Mercury team and on the other the merged Lenel/GE team. are we hearing complaints on both sides overall? How would you compare a similar situation with the other Security giants who are buying up companies and trying to merge them together.
Create New Topic
Ross Vander Klok
One thing I did not see mentioned, at least not as often as I would have thought, is their outrageous licensing costs. $250 for a camera license! $1,150 per master station for Aiphone units? AND $250 for the camera license for the camera included in the Aiphone station bringing the cost for licensing alone to get an Aiphone unit into OnGuard to around $1500.
When you have to pay $1500 before paying for equipment and installation something is seriously wrong. Most of our Aiphone stations have multiple master stations which means it could be up to $3500 + JUST for licensing the master units! Ridiculous.
Create New Topic
Undisclosed Manufacturer #2
Obviously there is a cost associated with making any system changes, however unhappy Lenel customers are in a much better position if they are on the Mercury open hardware platform than if they had invested in a proprietary system.
As a long-standing Mercury OEM, we have had numerous opportunities to assist customers who found themselves dealing with the issues addressed in the article. In most cases the hardware infrastructure remains intact and this is strictly a software swap with an automated database conversion to minimize having to reconfigure the system and re-enter cardholder information.
My point is the cost of changing does not always mean starting over. As far as losing their capital investment, we have seen customers convert to a better software solution, greatly improve their support, and lower their annual costs for less than they would have paid for Lenel's annual maintenance renewal.
Create New Topic
Undisclosed Integrator #3
Lenel is the most arrogant and obnoxious company in the security industry. They have been like this since day one. Great article guys.
Create New Topic
Undisclosed Integrator #4
It is nice to see that our experiences with Lenel are not unique. I hope this prompts them to take action. Our RSM has been great, but everything else from ordering to support is a nightmare.
Create New Topic
Undisclosed Integrator #5
I can't remember the last new Lenel install I have done it's been at least 4 years but the existing Lenel customers are too big to convert and our sales guys rely on the R&R from the licenses. Lenel's big customers will continue to pay but I don't see any real growth and I am surprised that UTC and its shareholders are fine with that. The only growth I see is forcing GE customers to convert. I also have lost a customer because of the dismal ONSSI OEM Skypoint.
But maybe we should ask.
Why Lenel?
What do they offer anymore that other Vendors do not?
Create New Topic
Jonathan Pine
Though we are in absolutely no position to judge the quality of Lenel Products, we do receive requests to repair them -- as well as other Mercury manufactured devices. We have in fact developed repair capability on the following Lenel products -- so if we may be of service, please do not hesitate to contact us. Please note our prices below:
2 door intelligent controller, model LNL 2220 - we repair at $325 vs Lenel at $650
Intelligent single door controller Model LNL 2210- - we repair at $300 vs Lenel $450
Advanced Intelligent Controller LNL 3300 - we repair at $325 vs $650 Lenele
Single Door sub controller LNL-1300 we repair at $285 vs Lenel $345
Dual Door ...... LNL 1320 we repair at $285 vs Lenel $350
Input Board with 16 inputs LNL 1100 - check out our $325 vs $450 Lenel
Output board with 16 relays LNL 1200 - we repair at $285 vs $400 by Lenel
Roller S for standard with 3mb memory LNL 1000 - we repair at $285
Roller E for Exand up To 8MB LNL 2000 - we repair at $285
Plus -- you wait no longer than 10 days. Or you can wait weeks and weeks for Lenel to repair -- or even not repair.
We do not charge if we cannot repair a Lenel board and provide a 90 day warranty,
just send a request to rma@renovatechnology.com.
Create New Topic
Charles Baker
Interesting article. As an integrator our experience with Honeywell Prowatch was very similar. There is limited/poorly-trained technical support, limited field support, and a pervasive attitude that "you are lucky to be selling our stuff, so how much more will you be selling this year?"
I suspect we are experiencing the difference between newer and more customer-oriented products/companies vs. older staid organizations that have been able to "rest" on their installed base and the cost to convert.
The fall-out will be interesting.
Create New Topic
Undisclosed Integrator #6
Create New Topic
Undisclosed #7
Lenel's customers are not the only ones dissastisfied with them.
Create New Topic
Don Johnson
I agree on Some aspects of the report but Not all. Some of the issues you are complaining about seem to be more the Techs installing the equipment and Software not knowing what they are doing. Seems u do not completely understand the full scope of it. Network, OS systems, proper sequence to install etc. I have been installing Lenel for 16 yrs and find it the Best overall system. As far the complaint it hasn't changed look at Prowatch it is the same as when I installed it in 2000 at a Post Office. I am certified on Lenel, ProWatch, S2, Genetec, ONSSI, Completview, etc and Strongly prefer Lenel over all the rest. As far as Facilty Commander you knew it was going and the options to integrate into OnGuard works great!
Create New Topic
Ross Vander Klok
Is there anyone from Lenel that is an active member of IPVM? Or is there any way to get their take on all of this? Have you IPVM folks tried to reach out to them to respond or even to let them know what is being discussed here?
Create New Topic
Ross Vander Klok
Thanks for the reply John. My concern is that as soon as we complete our worldwide three year project to switch everything over to Lenel we will immediately have to start switching out to something else. Even if they reached out to us offline (I am not hiding my name here) it would go a long way to allay our fears.
Create New Topic