Frequently Asked Questions...
Q. What is the advantage
of purchasing a "system" over components ?
A.
Systems offer significant advantages over other approaches:
1. Hardware, whether optical trackers by NDI's
Optotrak or magnetic trackers by Ascension and Polhemus, are all assured
of working together with other data acquisition devices on day one,
2. Systems are less expensive than buying individual
components,
3. Setup and configuration plus on-site training
reduces the time to data collection,
4. Unlimited telephone support means researchers
spend less time on "non-research" activities and gain the benefit of other
researcher's experience in similar situations.
5. Operating costs are lower as system design,
installation and training, and technical support make it possible to
operate without sophisticated engineering support.
Q. What is the advantage
of purchasing The MotionMonitor software?
A.
The most frequent advantages that our clients site include:
1.
Commercial applications eliminate the need to program that which has already
been done.
2. Home
grown code is often not supportable by other users...the "spaghetti" code
syndrome.
3. Home
grown applications are often less flexible than commercial applications as
they lack well thought out user interfaces forcing the user to modify code.
see #2.
4.
Commercial applications benefit from the thinking and input of many other
researchers.
5.
Commercial applications eliminate the need to "keep pace" with changes in
operating systems and hardware requirements.
Q. With a
"commercial" package don't I lose the flexibility of modifying my software
to meet my unique requirements?
A.
Emphatically NO. (sorry...didn't mean to shout but we feel
strongly about this:-)
The MotionMonitor actually enhances client flexibility.
First, The
MotionMonitor provides the client access to the same raw data he or
she would normally have access to. Data collected in the system
can be used as input to existing software as with any other data acquisition
system.
Secondly, the
client can create export files that combine any raw or processed data
collected or computed by the system. As a result one can
audit/reproduce calculations done within The MotionMonitor or
rely on The MotionMonitor for "standard" data and focus on
data and statistics that have not been looked at before.
Finally, the
client can easily create new variables using The MotionMonitor's
user defined data dialog. Simply enter an equation using standard math
notation and The MotionMonitor will produce the new data in
real time together with other pre-defined data elements.
Q. Why should I buy
components through IST, Inc ?
A.
The main reason is that it is less costly. We sell components at the
same price as the underlying vendor. And because of our commitment to
product support, we ensure that what is purchased is properly configured for
your application. When you buy direct from the vendor, we can not
assure that what is purchased is configured to operate with other hardware
in an integrated and synchronous fashion. This all means that we
eliminate purchase mistakes and reduce the time you expend getting your
hardware to work properly.
Q. Do I really need to
subscribe to the Maintenance and Subscription Program? It seems awfully
expensive and I can't be sure that we will have funds for it next year.
A.
The Maintenance and Subscription Program is a voluntary program that is
included without charge for the first year. Renewals are optional and
can be discontinued at anytime. The program was introduced so that
users who wanted a "complete" protection program could operate without
worry. Price wise, the program is actually a very good value and costs
less than programs provided by underlying vendors.
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