Any plans for AB to manufacturer cost effective HMI?

Hi,

I'm wondering if any of you guys knows if AB has a plan to manufacturer lower cost HMI? Something that would compare to Proface will be good.

I think the Proface HMI is much better than AB PanelView Standard, it should be compare with PV+. But the pricing wise Proface is much better. Furthermore their software is free also.

Thanks...please comment.

I doubt it. My AB rep is trying to get me to move to the PV+ also. When I saw the price and new software cost, I decided to go to C-More. Kills me because I really like AB too.

olias said:

I doubt it. My AB rep is trying to get me to move to the PV+ also. When I saw the price and new software cost, I decided to go to C-More. Kills me because I really like AB too.

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Exactly where I am. Years ago when we started using AD panels I wanted to go with Panelviews. My AB rep quoted me an outrageous price (over 2k/panel). We went with the EZTouch panels and after installing about 200 of them AB came around and offered 6 inch Panelview touch onlys for only a couple of hundred more than what we were paying for AD panels. Too late to change directions.

In the last couple of months, we looked at giving AB a chance again (tired of the EZAutomation fiasco) and my AB rep has no recollection of being able to make me any worthwhile deals
even though I pointed out to him that one of these panels would go with every SLC 5/03 cpu we buy and he should look at previous sales to get an idea where we were going.

To make a long story short, I got my first C-more today and hope to have time to install it in a machine tomorrow (should be no problem since my EZTouch app will port right over).

Hi,

What's the price % cheaper compare between C-more and AB? (abt the same spec comparison). Do they have sales & support office in Malaysia?

AB pricing is really a turn off!

ckchew666 said:

Hi,

What's the price % cheaper compare between C-more and AB? (abt the same spec comparison).

AB pricing is really a turn off!

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You need to work with your local rep. Give him something to bring to the factory guy. You'd be amazed at what multiplier you can get......

I agree with Crocop, you really need to work with your rep more.
I use probably only 8 to 10 different PV+ per week and he cuts me some excellent deals.
The strange thing is.........it's all we use 95% of the time and we have no intention of changing that, but he can still cut us some good deals.

Sometimes just a slight hint that we might go with another manufacturer or a quote on a price comparison is enough to get the occasional freebie

They will respect customer loyalty in my experience, sometimes they just need a reminder (I once ordered nothing for 2 weeks and I think they just about sh@t when they realised, but that's another story).

In the short term talk to your rep and explain the situation, you might be surprised how accomodating he can be for some honesty and a free lunch (we all gotta make a living).

AB and Lower price don't belong in the same post.....

lack of features

I am not even concerned so much with pricing as much as the lack of features. PV / PV+ fall far short of GE's QuickPanel View.
As soon as AB starts producing a product that is comparable I will jump the wagon and start using it. Current AB offering falls
far short of my requirements.
GE is not cheap and pricing lower than that would be nice.
My research shows that in terms of features (not pricing)
GE and CTC are the leaders. One big draw-back to GE is the fact that you need to pay for the development software and the authorization (activation) of the software has always been a problem for me. Having the free software even though the hardware might be a little pricey is OK with me.

Each hard wired push button or illuminated display would cost around $100 to setup. If the HMI costs $2,000 and it replaces 20 of these hardwired items, it is cost effective.
$2,000 may not be competative, however.
A low end Siemens costs around $1,400 Aust, plus you need WinCC flexible.
An Uticor panel costs around the same with free programming software.

Cost effective AB.....HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

Webhead said:

AB and Lower price don't belong in the same post.....

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Yes, that's called an Oxymoron

Yeah, right... AB and cost-effective!

If ever there was an oxymoron!

We AB PV PV+ when requested by the customer we are designing the system for. If not specified we often use E-terminals manufatured by Beijers and sold through Mitsubishi in the US. They are programmed using E-Designer software which is pretty good. As far as my experiance goes, if the customer is going to request anything, it is going to be Allen Bradley (this is in the US of course). It pays to be familiar with these products and not have to learn or realize you have overpromised on a short dealine.

Marc

What about BECKHOFF ??

I heard about them, they are said to be good and cheap, but no personnal experience.

Any feedback is welcome.

Well done all the blowhards who have jumped at the cheap-shot to slag AB on this thread.

No doubt anytime any of you need a question answering here, you'll be happy for Ken Roach or Ron Beaufort, or ContrM...or one of the AB professionals who have given so much to this forum....to give you complete and accurate answers.

The simple answer to this thread is:

1. AB lists higher prices because they can. The AB brand is worth more than some second-tier vendor's. Typically their prices competitively line up with Seimens, Schneider and the other heavyweights.

2. If you are buying AB in quantity, then you can readily negotiate deep multipliers. If you are buying in smaller quantities, get to know you local distributor specialist and convey to him what you need.