[access-uk] Re: Low cost CCTV's for private users
- From: "Ray's Home" <rays-home@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sun, 8 Aug 2004 11:47:33 +0100
Colin. Thanks for setting out succinctly the cold business calculations
which drive the access market. One could say, in a business like, and
uncharitable fashion, that most on this list aren't worth bothering with,
(smile)
In a way I can say that I was thinking along the right lines regarding
Employment/education being the core earners for suppliers. What I hadn't
before now realised is the importance of older customers in these
calculations.
The present role of charities will probably remain obscure as we ordinary
punters are unlikely ever to know the exact position of RNIB and maybe a
handful of other large players in their relationship with suppliers. The
corporate hybrid charity/business nature of RNIB and others blurs nicely any
distinction that could be drawn between business and providing service to
those who cannot afford to be served by the market. Markets provide choice
for those with money; those without must, for the most part, accept what
charity has to offer, or go without. Probably RNIB has it both ways; it
can be self-serving and be of 'service' to us, depending on which face it
wants to show.
A consortium or buyers co-op is an interesting idea. It is interesting to
speculate on what the eve-droppers on this list think about that. They are
probably confident that no one will get it together and so can maintain
their aloofness and indifference to our needs.
In a sense if the solution Colin suggests in his message were ever to bear
fruit, then it would itself have to be something of a chimera; business
analysis and methods allied to a notion of ethical service to a less
well-placed section of the VI community.
Ray.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Colin @ New Vision" <cph.newvision@xxxxxxxxxx>
Having talked about CCTV's and there uses in Employment, Education and the
elderly where cost does not seem to be an issue. This being the core
business of most manufacturers.
Most larger manufacturers will stick to these markets on the 80/20
principle. For example 80% of their business comes from 20% of their
customer database. From this it can be concluded that prices are unlikely to
come down. It makes financial sense to them and their accountants that they
concentrate on their core business.
For those people who are not employed and do not attend school or college
price is going to be the main issue. Using the same 80/20 principle, then
80% of all VI and blind people will fill this category. What can be done to
help these people ? Lower the cost of equipment lower the cost of training ?
How can this be done without lowering standards ? I am sure that everyone
wants the answers to these questions.
One thing is for sure you cannot expect any help from the larger
manufacturers.
One answer would be to get together as a consortium and do it yourself,
maybe even get charity status. You can then buy products in bulk and offer
them at a discount. I hear some of you saying isn't this what some of our
charities are doing anyway.
For instance buy lost cost camera modules and adapt them to your own
requirements. By buying in a modular form you can use the basic building
block format and only use the parts that are going to be of use to you. This
keeps both the cost of the parts down and you are providing your own labour.
You can then draw on the expertise of other members of the consortium for
the things you don't understand. The training can then also come from the
same group.
The manufactures and suppliers have an association called BHTA. Which stands
for the British Healthcare Trades Association. Maybe you could form an
association of users.
Regards
Colin
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