Having worked for Graybar I can assure you that they do not interface with the ACE community and sold AMX a bill of goods about bringing them to the table for school construction and remodels. And who, exactly, does AMX think is purchasing from Graybar? Not the AV Integrator. They must be looking to grow with the Comm/Data installers. Nice show of loyalty AMX.

@ Jay Craig

I think many share your frustration with once protected lines opening up to distribution, especially to companies not typically associated with the AV industry.

I would however say that I have worked for a school district here, where all of the equipment was purchased on a line item contract form a distributor directly.  Extron, Draper, and NEC were all purchased directly by the school, and they leaned on their GC to find the labor to get it all installed.

This is happening more and more, so if AMX is not getting a shot at the market, because the integrators are not being used to promote products, then they will do what is necessary to play.  Even if it means creating a template for their software and selling the product through Graybar.

Loyalty only lasts as long as money is coming in form the channel.  As soon as the first “disconnect notice” comes in from the electric company, all bets are off.

If we are being relegated to a labor pool for dreaded OFE (Owner Furnished Equipment), then they will follow the path to make sure they are furnishing that equipment to the owner, despite the path.

AMX has had its issues over the last few years with rumored failed acquisitions by Apple and Microsoft, their displacement from Apple Stores and HQ by Savant, etc and I’m sure they are erring on the side of survival.

I propose that the channel’s failure to produce continuing sales for AMX may be a major part of their decision.  Loyalty goes both ways, and if we’ve been down selling RTI, URC, and iPad with Redeye into traditional AMX jobs, what else can they do?

Just my take,

Mark C