Mobotix Move is a Dynacolor rebadge

[mastersonblaster 0]

I thought it extremely interesting that the new Mobotix Move ptz range are made in Taiwan by Dynacolor not Mobotix.

 

This of course means that Mobotix key differentiators --- “MxPEG”, “decentralized video” and "made in Germany" do not apply to the Mobotix Move range. Additionally the Mobotix VMS, MxManagmentCenter, does not support the new Mobotix Move devices so they cannot coexist on the same system with the current Mobotix cameras, unless you buy Milestone licenses. A strategy which is bizarre to say the least.

 

Mobotix partners like myself, are going to find extremely challenging moving forward because the same Dynacolor product can be purchased at a much lower discount through the existing Dynacolor distributors. In fact it is cheaper to buy the Dynacolor equivalent with Milestone VMS camera licensing than it is to buy the same rebadged cameras through a Mobotix distributor.

 

While this new addition to the Mobotix range may give partners like myself the ability to bid for projects requiring mechanical zoom cameras, it does not provide us with an innovative differentiator. Yes ok, Dynacolor is well established but arguably they are more of a follower than an innovative leader. In contrast, Mobotix built its early success on the back of innovation and an array of unique differentiators, and thus the decision to rebrand a Taiwanese mass produced technology by a German manufacturer is a sign of the times. It feels like they are diluting their product positioning.

 

In light of the plummeting Mobotix share price since 2016, it would appear this has been a decision of desperation rather than a strategic move to garner quick sales, bearing in mind that no meaningful development has been released for Mobotix Move with Mobotix VMS platform.

 

For the reasons outlined above it is difficult to see how this announcement is a positive move for Mobotix partners or the end customers, in the long term.

[DrivingAce 0]

MastersonBlaster,

 

You make some good points in your post, but there are a few items that I might be able to update you on with regards to Mobotix Move.

 

In the interest of full disclosure, I do currently work for Mobotix, though at various points in my career I have worked as an integrator as well as an engineer for a consulting firm.

 

I've followed Mobotix for a number of years now, long before I ever worked for them, and I can tell you that as a consultant and as an integrator, having a camera that complies with more of the standards of the market can be one of the most important features a company can offer.

 

When it comes to compatibility, the Move product line will be compatible with ManagementCenter 2.0, which is being released shortly. When it comes to innovation and development, I believe that the Move product is simply geared differently. When a spec requires a varifocal lens, or wide dynamic range, or PTZ functions as you mentioned, Mobotix has traditionally been out of the competition. The Move product helps meet some of those demands and keeps the rest of the Mobotix line in the competition. At the same time, Mobotix is releasing these cameras in a way that will still allow the company to retain resources for cutting-edge development.

 

Along the same lines, ONVIF compatibility is coming not only through the Move line, but also the traditional Mobotix IoT line. This will allow compatibility with multiple VMS systems, to increase the viability of using Mobotix in various locations.

 

@Admins...I'm certainly by no means trying to self-promote, just trying to offer more accurate information. If anything in this post violates the protocol on the boards, please let me know and I'll be happy to follow any guidelines offered.

 

@OP Of course, feel free to reach out to me in a PM and I'll be happy to offer more assistance or info if you would like.

 

Thanks for reading!

 

DrivingAce

[mastersonblaster 0]

I'm certainly by no means trying to self-promote, just trying to offer more accurate information

I am really struggling to find any information in your post that is "more accurate" ... so let's review your points.

 

When a spec requires a varifocal lens, or wide dynamic range, or PTZ functions as you mentioned, Mobotix has traditionally been out of the competition.

Not entirely correct. The varifocal and WDR solutions have been offered by Mobotix for a long time. A varifocal option has been available in the form of "CSVario" for at least 8 years. The Moonlight Technology has been positioned by Mobotix as a wide dynamic range solution since 6MP was introduced, which was also released several years ago.

 

In reality the MOVE range has been introduced as a means to conform to large project specifications. The problem is these large specifications are demanding open platform VMS such as Milestone, which means the Dynacolor equivalent can be used in place of the Mobotix MOVE range. The fallout for us as a Mobotix partner is that we can't compete with the Dynacolor distributors on price, so there is no compelling reason why an installer would buy a MOVE camera from us when they can simply buy the Dynacolor equivalent from a Dynacolor distributor for a lot less.

 

At the same time, Mobotix is releasing these cameras in a way that will still allow the company to retain resources for cutting-edge development.

In other words Mobotix still wants everyone to believe it is the "world's leading IP camera innovator", and yet in reality doesn't have the resources to develop its own PTZ cameras, and so has to buy them from a Taiwanese vendor (Dynacolor) for a quick rebadge, to make sales. Believe me, that strategy does nothing for Mobotix "premium" positioning. In any case we were told that the Konica Minolta buy out would bring more resources and greater development, and yet the only "big" change in the range since the company buy out has been the "MOVE" OEM rebadge.

 

Along the same lines, ONVIF compatibility is coming not only through the Move line, but also the traditional Mobotix IoT line. This will allow compatibility with multiple VMS systems, to increase the viability of using Mobotix in various locations.

Mobotix has been promising H.264 and full ONVIF compatibility since 2013. There is no commercially useful ONVIF integration offered within mxmanagementcenter, and the Mobotix range provides very limited integration with most of the popular VMS solutions. It's obvious MxPEG has been pushed to the backseat, and the decentralized system has been thrown out of the window with the Mobotix MOVE range.

 

I still cannot see how Mobotix partners will benefit from the decision to OEM asian product. I think it's a hasty move and one that will come back to bite Mobotix in the short term. All of Mobotix unique USPs are now extinct with the MOVE range.