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Amx Vs Crestr0n
Sensiva
Posts: 211
Hi...
I want to discuss - as an AMX sales engineer - "How to convince the customer to buy AMX systems if he likes Crestr0n in the first place... in other words, what can AMX offer to the customer and Crestr0n can't
I want to discuss - as an AMX sales engineer - "How to convince the customer to buy AMX systems if he likes Crestr0n in the first place... in other words, what can AMX offer to the customer and Crestr0n can't
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What do you mean?, you mean that ******** depends on WindowsOS in their handheld products?????
Vince
On the other hand, I can run off a list of dozens of times in the past couple of years that we have had customers call to complain that their linux-based AMX panels were locked up hard or had another serious problem requiring a complete reboot. Not to mention that the booting is Soooo slow, for example, on a MVP-7500/8400 when the customer leaves it out on the table overnight and then goes to use it the next morning. Now I don't blame this necessarily on the OS, but more on the firmware writers at AMX.
All in all though, I think that C******* has the right idea. They can focus on what they are good at and leave the design of these touch panels to other companies. It's a win-win situation for them, since they are using a very standard platform that has the backing of a much bigger company (Micro$oft). As a result, they have loads of options open to them on this platform, as well as a lot of different TP models to choose from many manufacturers, at much better prices for the consumer.
I guess I just think that AMX tries to do too much by itself, and pays for it in the end with products like the MVP-7500/8400 that really should be much better than they are today. I'm sure that with time they will learn from their mistakes, but we will have to wait for G5 products, it would seem.
--Eric
We have lost residential customers to Crest0n because they thought Crestr0n is the home automation system (Kleenex/tissue). Crest0n advertising, reviews and reps are in your face and they are not afraid to play dirty.
Amx wins over Crestr0n because of the programming and in the end, that's what it's all about.
The big difference is the price where c*****n is winning. You can have complete solution in ******** for small config as AMX need external hardware like matrix video and audio. For end users there is no big difference except prices. The difference is for the programmer and graphic designer with the tools they used and the time they need for middle to big project.
Whereas ALL of AMX's Modero panels run off Linux, only a HANDFUL of Cre$tron's panels have XP embedded. (Their Media Center models, specifically) The only reason those have XP is for the end user to be able to run applications like Explorer, Media Player, Word (viewer), Excel (viewer), PowerPoint and Acrobat.
(And gee - you can't do ANY of those on an AMX panel. For clients that might have even an INTEREST in those, I wonder which system they'll go for?)
The majority of their panels have a basic firmware set that does nothing but provide rendering of touch panel files and processing of button presses - more along the lines of the AMX G3 series...
- Chip
AMX has seemed to embrace open standards more. AMX controllers and touchpanels all support Ethernet, TCP/IP. From what I understand, Crestr0n can exist on the network but not as seemlessly as does the AMX stuff due to how their system architecture is designed. With the more open architecture it's easier to design and impliment services. RMS is miles ahead of Room View for example.
I think the graphics on the Modero's is better then the Crestr0n Panels and it's the same throughout the line.
Now for the smallish to medium sized projects it's hard for the AMX advantages, flexibility, easy customization, efficiency etc to really shine through. It's in the larger projects with multiple touchpanels and processors where AMX can save real time and money.
Why don't both AMX and C******* just get together and merge, so we can have the best of both worlds?
I think you mean "worst" not "best". Create a monopoly so that they don't have to bother any more? I don't think so.
That being said, you could focus on the fact that the military uses AMX in it's mobile operations command center (see the article on AMX). I believe that there are also theme parks that have entire animatronic shows powered by AMX. The CDC uses AMX to increase speed and efficiency in monitoring and handling potential health disasters (or something like that
If someone said that they like they idea of a browser on their touchpanel, you can offer them a dedicated computer to run VNC and allow browsing. I would pitch this as a more reliable implementation. Given the growing number of virii and malware programs targeting microsoft based operating systems and browsers, seperating the vulnerable browser aplication from the processor that controls lights, security and other essential functions in your home seems to make good sense.
Jeff
the windows xp that runs on crestr0n touchpanels is "read only". You can't install programs yourself and thus, virii have no effect on your hardware.
I like both the AMX as well as the Crestr0n line of products. I prefer crestr0n in small settings (small conference rooms -> projector, dvd, screen, laptop) and prefer AMX for the bigger solutions.
As stated before, Master to Master on AMX is pretty simple, but Intersystem Communication on Crestr0n is also very simple.
I also think it doesnt matter for a customer if a touchpanel runs Linux or Windows, or if something is easier to program than the other. Customer wants something that works the way he wants, be it Crestr0n, AMX, Extron, etc.
Concluding: i like Crestr0n as much as i like AMX, it's just that the AMX design tools are alot better
Well, i have never dealt with crestr0n systems before, and i don't think i will, because i am kinda addicted to amx systems at the moment
on the other hand crestr0n equipments like tps and kbs has a wonderful good looking rather than amx's, which is a very hard thing to challenge.
And you all guys gave me a good view of the crestr0n systems, but.... i wanna know how tell the customer "come on man we are the best, amx can do .... and do .... and more but crestr0n cant."
i hope you got my point
thanx to you all
One thing C****** has going for it is the QuickMedia line of equipment. In laying out an auditorium with multiple displays and source inputs, needing only 2 CAT5 cables to every location is much better than having to pull multiple RGBHV + Control + Audio cables to each and having to use a large Autopatch or Extron switcher.
Joe
i can't name anything that AMX can do that Crest0n can't (important things that is)
The design tools are better, but customers don't care for that (i think)
1 more thing to add. Is the new TPMC-8X is a really nice Touchpanel that addresses a lot of the graphic issues. AMX used to have by far the best looking Touch Panels, but the 8X has raised ************ level to a point where there could be a debate. Another thing is it runs on 802.11a. Very handy in high rise buildings with lots of RF traffic.
I still like complete networks of AMX for their master to master comm, but I can do it with either if I'm forced to.
I would add to that an implementation of some kind of web browser/applet that doesn't rely upon an external computer. The company that pulls that off will leap way ahead of the other.
As I understand you more-or-less have to switch over the the PC underpinnings to browse the web. It's like you have to switch over to it as opposed to just having an instance in a button. I could be very wrong on that mark.
ejm
- Chip
- Chip
probably an old system? compare and old AMX system with a new crestr0n system
Good point! Chip is right - I'm bias!
Has the programming changed?
I need to be able to write code and not just drag images around.
I guess I'm old school but I hate design tools that try to do everything for you and don't give you the option to get your hands dirty.
- Chip