Before You Pick a Product
Why Contact Us First
Pick a Piraino company before you pick a product. Here's why that one call makes all the difference.
When you're considering a new audio visual, communications, security, or technology project, one of the most important calls you can make is also one of the first — and there is a reason for that. You don't need a completed design. You don't need full specifications. And you definitely don't need to have already selected a manufacturer.
In fact, we would rather talk to you before any of those decisions have been made.
There is a reason Consulting is in our name. Our job is to understand what you're trying to accomplish, help you explore the available options, and give you the information you need to make the right decision for your organization. In fact, in the past, after all products have been evaluated, demonstrations completed, and our advice has been provided, customers have chosen a product or brand other than our recommendation — and that is great, because the process worked. You make the final decision.
Pressure From Resellers
When a new bond passes, or a new project becomes available, every reseller wants to know about it — and understandably so. One of the first things a reseller may do is register the opportunity with its preferred manufacturer. Project registration can provide special pricing, protection, or other advantages associated with that manufacturer's products.
Technology resellers work closely with manufacturers. That's part of our industry, and those relationships can provide tremendous value to customers. But they can also influence what gets recommended. There can be many reasons a reseller prefers one product over another:
- Better margins or financial incentives
- Manufacturer sales programs
- Long-standing manufacturer relationships
- Sales quotas or targets
- Existing inventory that needs to be sold
- Special promotions
- Familiarity with one product over another
None of those things necessarily mean the product is wrong for you — but many times it can mean you don't get to see the whole picture.
Why Should the Brand Be Selected Before the Solution?
We believe the process should work the other way around. Start by telling us what you're trying to accomplish. Let us understand your existing environment, requirements, challenges, budget, timeline, and long-term goals. After that conversation is complete, let's look at multiple options. Our goal is to help you identify the best solution before anyone decides what logo should be on the box.
All these services come free of charge. There is an entire industry built to offer what we offer our customers for free. Our work has been the backbone of countless RFQs and RFPs across multiple states — and we never charged the customer a penny for those services.
Our job is to cut through the noise. We work with you to establish your requirements first. Then we identify products that meet those requirements, help arrange demonstrations and evaluations, and allow you to determine which solution works best for your organization. We're not here to tell you which product you should like. We're here to make sure you have enough information to decide for yourself.
Our 5-Step Process
Once again, there is a reason "Consulting" is in our name.
We Listen
What problem are you trying to solve? What works today? What doesn't? What features actually matter? What is your budget? What does your IT department need? What does the end user need? What input is available from the end users? How will the system be supported five or ten years from now?
We Build a Plan Around Your Needs — Not Around a Manufacturer's Product Line
Once we've narrowed the field, with your input, we can help coordinate product demonstrations, evaluations, pilot programs, manufacturer discussions, site visits, and other due diligence.
We Help Fill in the Gaps
Manufacturers know their products better than anyone — and naturally, they're going to present those products in the best possible light. But anyone who has worked in technology long enough knows that sometimes the complete story doesn't make it into the presentation. A limitation may not get discussed. A competing feature may be minimized. A future cost may not be obvious. Compatibility, licensing, warranty, service, or installation requirements may not receive much attention.
Defining the Right Questions and Answers
We've worked with manufacturers, products, installations, and customers for decades. We've seen what happens after the demonstration is over and the equipment is installed. If we know something that should be part of your decision, we're going to tell you. It's our job to tell you the good, the bad, the limitations, and the advantages — including the questions manufacturers don't want to answer.
Building Out the Entire Project From Start to Finish
Now that you have all the information on the products and decided what works best for you, it's time to build out the full product rollout procedures — all products required, scope of warranties, logistics, delivery schedules, installation guidelines and requirements, installation schedules, project management documentation, hot swap staging, mandatory service and support requirements, and more. With decades of experience, we can help with all of this.
When Is the Right Time to Call
Technology is frequently considered too late in a construction, renovation, or purchasing project. By the time we're brought in, electrical locations may already be established, network infrastructure designed, walls finished, specifications written, budgets approved, or products selected. Changing those decisions later can be expensive.
Getting us involved early allows our team to identify requirements for power, network connectivity, cabling, mounting, structural support, equipment locations, programming, integration, licensing, and other considerations before they become change orders or unexpected expenses.
Planning a new building or renovation? Bring us into the conversation with your architect, engineer, IT department, facilities department, or general contractor. It is much less expensive to plan it correctly than to fix it later.
Already Have a Specification? Call Us Anyway.
If your project has already been designed or specified, we're still happy to take a look. We may identify compatibility issues, unnecessary equipment, missing components, installation concerns, alternative products, purchasing opportunities, or questions worth asking before you move forward. A second set of experienced eyes costs nothing — and it may save you a lot.
Tell us what you're trying to accomplish and we'll help you build the plan, explore the options, evaluate the products, ask the right questions, and ultimately make your own informed decision.
Contact Us First
Before you pick the brand. Before you design the system. Before you write the specification. Before you request the bid. Before you spend the money.