RE: BD TO END SUPPORT FOR FACS VANTAGE

BD TO END SUPPORT FOR FACS VANTAGEDISCLAIMER
Several of our customers asked me to respond directly to this posting.
>>my apologies in advance if it is considered by some to be in poor taste.<<
For general information only - not intended as solicitation of any kind.


Hello to All,
I agree that the decision by BD corporate to cease support for the Vantage
systems is going to force change on the flow community.

I have confidence that third party companies such as Automation Lab
Technology and Cytek Development will be able to support the BD Vantage for
it's useful lifespan due to the number of units already out there to be
recycled. Since BD buys a significant portion of parts from the commercial
marketplace, those parts will not be affected when sourced from their
respective manufacturers. Plus, most third party service companies that work
on the Vantage successfully make or rebuild replacement parts when
necessary.

For example, the FACStar plus and the LSR1 are already in the boat where BD
is sending the Vantage. Third party support and even upgrades are available
for these instruments.

I can assure that Automation Lab Technology (ALT) is dedicated to serving
the maintenance, training and support needs of the flow community using the
following BD instruments; FACScan, FACSort, FACScalibur, FACStar plus, LSR
and all Vantage configurations.

Being a customer driven company, ALT is planning to support these
instruments as long as they are in use.

Best regards,
Tony Leger - Director
Automation Lab Technology
ALT Service
800-932-6883
altservice@hughes.net

FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY - NOT INTENDED AS SOLICITATION





  -----Original Message-----
  From: Mark Shlomchik [mailto:mark.shlomchik@yale.edu]
  Sent: Friday, November 02, 2007 3:20 PM
  To: Cytometry Mailing List
  Subject: BD TO END SUPPORT FOR FACS VANTAGE


  Hi All,


  I don't know how many of you have yet received a letter stating that BD
will no longer support any version of the Vantage after the end of 2010. [I
will forward the text of the letter I received upon request]. This means no
further service contracts and if I understand correctly no further supply or
stocking of spare parts. That will eventually mean even third parties will
not be able to support the machines.


  I think this is a bad decision by BD and potentially disastrous for the
flow community. Given the current funding situation at least in the US, with
no clear end in sight, I doubt many of us will be able to come up with the
large sums of money needed to replace a cell sorter. And many of us have
customized our Vantages in ways no easily available even on an Aria.


  I have written BD to ask them to reconsider this decision. The gist of the
letter is at the end of this email. The response I recieved was a negative
one, at least so far.


  I would like people to post their responses to the list. I also think it
would be highly useful to direct their comments to BD, via emails to
GIl_Reinin (Gil_Reinin@bd.com) and also to their local sales person and
regional sales and service managers.


  [Text of my letter to Linda Newman at BD]


   ...I was wondering what BD expects users of perfectly good Vantage DIVA
instruments to do after you stop supporting them? What are you recommending?
I assume you don't expect us to throw them out.

  This maneuver, on its face and based on what I understand of it now, makes
me really wonder about my commitment to BD as a provider for us and I assume
I can't be alone in the flow world. I am sure it will get discussed on the
Listserv.

  I think this is a bad business and PR move for BD and I urge you all to
rethink it. Though it may cause some to buy new FACSArias in 2010, I think
overall it is going to erode sales and support contracts. It reminds me of
the "bad old days" of BD when the perception evolved that BDIS was not
listening to or caring about its customers. This provided a great opening
for MoFlo.


  Thanks to all those who can express their views on this,


--
Mark Shlomchik, MD, PhD
  Professor of Laboratory Medicine
  and Immunobiology
  Director Yale School of Medicine Flow Core
  http://info.med.yale.edu/immuno/cytometry/
  Yale University School of Medicine

  203-737-2089
  203-785-5415 (fax)
  mark.shlomchik@yale.edu
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