You guys email out so much irrelevant garbage, like sending me stuff for new users or for people that have never used SWX and why they should...how about something useful like sending out a link to the TTL and asking your customers to get involved and vote? There are some good ideas that only have 9 votes. Where is everybody? Doesn't SWX have millions of users?
Roland Schwarz wrote:
VARs have determined there's no money in keeping existing users happy.
Roland, you did not say that loud enough!!!
Dan Golthing wrote:
You guys email out so much irrelevant garbage, like sending me stuff for new users or for people that have never used SWX and why they should...how about something useful like sending out a link to the TTL and asking your customers to get involved and vote? There are some good ideas that only have 9 votes. Where is everybody? Doesn't SWX have millions of users?
I wish this were a TTL idea because I'd vote for it.
Dan Golthing wrote:
You guys email out so much irrelevant garbage, like sending me stuff for new users or for people that have never used SWX and why they should...how about something useful like sending out a link to the TTL and asking your customers to get involved and vote? There are some good ideas that only have 9 votes. Where is everybody? Doesn't SWX have millions of users?
Way ahead of you. Not only we provided links to TTL, but also curated short lists relevant to specific customers.
I think your the only VAR that does this Alin.
Alin, you're an anomaly. But good job! I always get junk mail like "convert your 2D CAD data to 3D". Because, yea, it's been like 20 years since I used 2D. Anyone still using 2D for mechanical design is a freaking idiot.
It seems a lot of VAR take for granted that they will always represent SolidWorks. The only mail I get from my VAR is when there's money they can make.
I only got email of discount on new seat and upgrade.
Discount on subscription would be better.
Do get notice on webinar. Haven't got a chance to attend one yet.
Its curious but thinking about it I never hear from my var. Their support desk is fantastic but that's my only interaction with them. They don't seem to interact proactively at all... The forums are great for engagement but VARS could do more I think especially where it comes to engaging users in the available paths for enhancement suggestions for SW etc as well as promoting resources that are out there to make the SW experience better overall.
Simon Kutassy wrote:
Its curious but thinking about it I never hear from my var. Their support desk is fantastic but that's my only interaction with them. They don't seem to interact proactively at all... The forums are great for engagement but VARS could do more I think especially where it comes to engaging users in the available paths for enhancement suggestions for SW etc as well as promoting resources that are out there to make the SW experience better overall.
100% agree. Tech support is generally pretty good. Other than that we never hear from our VAR and haven't for the past 11 years.
Dennis Dohogne wrote:
Simon Kutassy wrote:
Its curious but thinking about it I never hear from my var. Their support desk is fantastic but that's my only interaction with them. They don't seem to interact proactively at all... The forums are great for engagement but VARS could do more I think especially where it comes to engaging users in the available paths for enhancement suggestions for SW etc as well as promoting resources that are out there to make the SW experience better overall.
100% agree. Tech support is generally pretty good. Other than that we never hear from our VAR and haven't for the past 11 years.
It's funny that I should read this today. I got a cold call from my VAR about an hour and a half ago. He didn't try to sell me anything. He just asked if everything is working as I expect and if I needed help with anything. When I said that everything is fine he said Ok, great. I'll check back in a few months.
I hear from our VAR by phone every time they have a special sale. I also get bi-weekly emails about webinars and training opportunities. They are quite good at the tech support so I can't complain about that.
They have apparently gone whole hog after the 3D printing world as they sell several and I get 3D printing email a couple of times a week. As we use very few items small enough to print other than hardware and hydraulic fittings I couldn't give a flying rip about 3D printers.
I do wish they would provide something everyone of us here use... Workstations! They don't even have a recommended setup when we asked them. So we have the local shop build boat anchors for us.
Jim Steinmeyer wrote:
I hear from our VAR by phone every time they have a special sale. I also get bi-weekly emails about webinars and training opportunities. They are quite good at the tech support so I can't complain about that.
They have apparently gone whole hog after the 3D printing world as they sell several and I get 3D printing email a couple of times a week. As we use very few items small enough to print other than hardware and hydraulic fittings I couldn't give a flying rip about 3D printers.
Jim,
I know what would get you interested in those 3D printers...if they incorporated blockchain!...If they come out with a crypto-3D printer, I know you'd be interested.
I do wish they would provide something everyone of us here use... Workstations! They don't even have a recommended setup when we asked them. So we have the local shop build boat anchors for us.
That's a tough one. Specs change over time and user requirements vary greatly. I think this is something that should maybe come directly from the SW people. A "suggested" hardware for different performance levels would be helpful. They should also have suggestions for rendering and surfacing, which would be completely different than the type of modeling I do. The minimum suggested hardware is counterproductive to someone trying to justify buying a decent machine to an IT guy who knows nothing about CAD (I've been there).
Matt Peneguy wrote:
That's a tough one. Specs change over time and user requirements vary greatly. I think this is something that should maybe come directly from the SW people. A "suggested" hardware for different performance levels would be helpful. They should also have suggestions for rendering and surfacing, which would be completely different than the type of modeling I do. The minimum suggested hardware is counterproductive to someone trying to justify buying a decent machine to an IT guy who knows nothing about CAD (I've been there).
Here is the key. The local IT guy or computer shop goes to the SW site and reads the minimum requirements and thinks that is all they need to know to put together an adequate machine.without any knowledge of how the software will be used. If the VAR were selling computers rather than just software and whiz bang printers I could get my computer from someone who is more likely to know what is needed with how I use the software. Who would know the requirements better than the people dealing with 100s/1000s of customers with all kinds of applications? As it is we get the minimum requirement guidance and nothing else.
A side benefit could be that more users are steered towards a more common platform and we would see fewer strange behaviors due to oddball CPUs and boards.
If your VAR is a poor performer, then switch....
Alin Vargatu - we need Javelin USA - let me know when I can start
John Stoltzfus wrote:
If your VAR is a poor performer, then switch....
Alin Vargatu - we need Javelin USA - let me know when I can start
As some have said, many vars are strong on customer support, but have lost their way with other customer interaction.
You typically pick the best VAR in your area. That doesn't mean they don't need a lot of improvement. In their relentless quest for new customers, they seem to forget those of us who butter their bread.
I just got an email from one VAR with some technical videos. I thought, OK, let me check them out. It was all SolidWorks 101. Nice effort, but wrong audience!
KNOW YOUR CUSTOMERS!
Like you got marketing call from company you're customer already.
Oh I'll cancel my subscription now so you can sell me another one
My VAR communicates very well using robo emails. Soon after a new case is opened, the email comes basically saying that I need to do more or the case will be closed. I’ve received dozens…case closed.
1-4KHMGZY wrote:
You guys email out so much irrelevant garbage, like sending me stuff for new users or for people that have never used SWX and why they should...how about something useful like sending out a link to the TTL and asking your customers to get involved and vote? There are some good ideas that only have 9 votes. Where is everybody? Doesn't SWX have millions of users?
Trying to address your question (a little bit late):
https://www.engineersrule.com/vote-top-10-ideasfor-new-cad-features/
I have brought this up before. In the UK unless you go on the Solidworks forum you wouldn't even know the top ten exists.
VARs have determined there's no money in keeping existing users happy.