There have been a number of requests for answers regarding the service
contract issue and the viability of the third party option. I asked about
Tritech (for B-D service), and ABS - Alternative Biomedical Services Inc
(for Beckman-Coulter service). I have enclosed the responses in quotes for
those companies. There was also a discussion on the e-mail list about a
year or two ago about other service options, about paying a company that
would call Becton-Dickinson or Beckman Service for you, and that you would
pay a fee and they would bet the service would be less. I think that is
called Asset management, but I don't really know much about the contracting
business. So, I have also included one comment concerning that issue as
well where they used a company called Novamed. I checked the Purdue Web
site this morning, and both Tritech and Alternative Biomedical Services are
linked in the commercial Web Site directory onder Cytometry Services. I
hope that these comments are helpful and provide cost-effective alternatives
for labs fighting for research or clinical dollars.
There was one comment about ABS (Alternative Biomedical Services):
"We have been using ABS for 18 months to service 3 XLs and find them very
professional, competent, cost effective, and available when I need them.
I rate them better than my Coulter service."
There were two comments about Tritech. One mentioned that he knew a B-D
repairman who went to work for Tritech. It was someone he trusted. There
was one other comment regarding Tritech:
"I now have a service agreement with Tritech to cover my 2 FACScans and 2
Caliburs. I dont have a service contract as such but have them do 2 PMs a
year plus as much phone support as I need. I have always found Ray Lannigan
a very agreeable and knowledgeable fellow, he took care of my benchtop
instruments when he worked for BD. I have such an agreement as we are way up
there in the middle of nowhere and it would not be practicle for him to come
all the way up here every time. He will send me parts and tell me how to
install them."
One person responded using a company called Novamed, which from the
description looks more like Asset management rather than a service contract,
but provides a similar benefit for the user. That message is as follows:
"We used a third party provider, Novamed, for service on our SCAN and Calibur.
The actual service was done by B-D. Novamed is "betting" that you will use less
service than is included in a service contract. They discount the B-D contract
price by about 15% and based on your service experience they rebate most of the
savings. the bottom line is that we saved about 50%. They do equipment in
general, not just flow cytometers."
There was one generalized negative comment, that didn't seem to be from any
specific experience, but from general anxiety regarding the issue of 3rd
party service. I actually talked to a representative about that issue, and
I am meeting with a representative from Tritech later this month. They
believe they can provide the appropriate service. Anyway, that message of
concern is as follows:
"I have allways been against this option. First the equipment you have is
very specialized. the boards in the instrument are not standard and by in
large are only available through your cytometer manufacturer.
And guess who would be last in line if they need them for their customers.
I assure you will wait longer and in the end, and this company will have
to go to the cytometer manufacturer to effect anything other then a simple
repair. Best of Luck in the future"
These are actually all the comments that I received. I trust that they are
useful.
Doug
{-----------------------------------------------------------------------}
Douglas Smoot
NIDDK-Navy Transplantation & Autoimmunity Branch
Naval Medical Research Center
AFRRI Building 46, Room 2415
8901 Wisconsin Avenue
Bethesda, MD 20889-5603
voice: 301-295-1843
fax: 301-295-6484
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