Over the last few weeks 3M Resident Monitoring has been quietly notifying customers that they are exiting the emergency call system marketplace. I have calls and emails out to 3M and Direct Supply, who was a significant component in the 3M distribution network. I have not received any responses to those inquiries.
Over the last few weeks 3M Resident Monitoring has been quietly notifying customers that they are exiting the emergency call system marketplace. I have calls and emails out to 3M and Direct Supply, who was a significant component in the 3M distribution network. I have not received any responses to those inquiries.
Here is what we know (or at least think we know)
- Effective immediately, 3M is not selling or installing any new systems.
- They will continue to support existing customers through 2013.
The Challenges
- This is a life safety issue and means that essentially right now, existing customers will need to make plans to replace their existing system in the next 14 months. It means a very significant unforeseeable capital expenditure of tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars for each replacement system.
- The operators we are talking to are hugely concerned that even in that one year period they will not be fully supported.
- It puts Direct Supply in a very difficult position with their customers, through no fault of their own.
- As the year comes to an end will any and all parts be available to customers?
There is a conventional wisdom that says going with a large company like 3M gives customers the assurance they are too big to fail. The problem is, that because they are so big, something like emergency call is such a minor component, it really means nothing to drop the product line. The other problem with a large company is that the customer has less opportunity to influence the road-map for the company. In talking with a number of industry sources it is clear that like Vigil Health Solution (the company I work with), other call vendors are looking at ways they can soften the blow of having to make this change. If you have more or better information it would be great if you would share it.
If you would like to remain anonymous feel free to email anything you would like to say to me. smoran (at) seniorhousingforum.net
Steve Moran
From LinkedIn Groups
Group: Senior Living Healthcare Professionals
Discussion: Can you add anything to this article?
Steve, any single point system is hard to sustain. Why 3M is getting out of the business, I can’t say. I have a Video-Village Network™ concept which might help solve this problem. Dr Eric I. @ [email protected]
Posted by Eric I Mitchell MD MA FACPE CPE
From LinkedIn Groups
Group: Senior Housing Forum (www.seniorhousingforum.net)
Discussion: Can you add anything to this article?
This is scary! I know that if our community was all of a sudden told that we had to replace our system (having 100 apartments), it would be detrimental to our business. These systems are incredibly expensive as it is, and definitely an unforeseen cost if a company just “up and decides” that they are no longer going to offer the service. Just scary….
Posted by Jennifer LaPorte
From LinkedIn Groups
Group: Senior Housing Forum (www.seniorhousingforum.net)
Discussion: Can you add anything to this article?
I hope 3M is personally contacting all their clients. More so their families, since they are the ones who would follow up in replacing.
Posted by Barb Przybylowicz
From LinkedIn Groups:
Group: Senior Housing Forum (www.seniorhousingforum.net)
Discussion: Can you add anything to this article?
Their website says they’re attending the Leading Age show next week in Denver.
Posted by Bill Kafitz
It will be interesting to see if they show up. If they are there I will at least attempt to get some more info, but I am guessing they will not be there.
Steve Moran
Barb what they are discontinuing is the e call systems for senior housing communities and so to the best of my understanding they have contacted their installed base. The problem is that these communities now find themselves having to replace their system in the next 12-18 months. Really to be save it needs to be done before Jan 1, 2013, because if they have a problem with the system after that date, there is no place to turn.
Steve Moran
This is very difficult for facilities that have invested in the 3M system. We have developed a wireless monitoring system that may fill the needs of these facilities that are in need of replacing their 3M system.
Doug Johnson, [email protected]
3M shows up as a sponsor at LeadingAge but their booth space was empty.
Steve, I know it is late in the game, Status Solutions has developed a system that interfaces with some/most of the 3M alert devices and adds additional features.
Status Solutions is a player in the market and well known for their service.