Vendors: Please take note

I have used a variety of software platforms in the last decade or so. If you are selling me something, I am fairly confident that it will work. It's probably cheaper than the competitor AND has more features. Yet still, I will hesitate...

First, are you going to be around in 5-10 years? My plants will be around long after I retire. If we lock in with your gear, I need to know that it will continue to be supported.

Second, how is your training? Rockwell and Aveva both charge premium money for their classes, which are scheduled and usually on-site. Make no mistake, they make good supplies and they will be around, so I can get corporate to pay for it, but some online classes would not break your budget. In the long run, companies like Automation Direct, Inductive Automation and VTScada are going to eat into their respective markets. Their classes are online, free and on-demand.

Just my $0.02...