option
Getting All Your Ducks in a Row Te time and costs related to these types of business relation-
ships can certainly add up, but without them, the long-term expenses can be overwhelming when products are not thor- oughly tested. But that doesn’t mean vendors should show up without some research and development already completed. “A company should not approach any organization with an
idea that has not been through the R&D and end product pricing phase,” said Temple (Texas) Independent School District’s Direc- tor of Transportation Walter Prothro. Prothro is talking from experience. What seemed like an
answer to issues concerning accounting for students and cam- pus- and district-wide security was not what it seemed. After viewing an office demonstration on a instant facial recognition product that even identified people camouflaged or at different angles, Prothro learned that the company had yet to research or develop the product for school buses. “No one wants to be a guinea pig and pay for an inventor’s and manufacturer’s R&D costs as well,” he added.
The Downside For smaller contractors and school districts, the early accep-
tance or addition of new technologies by their colleagues can have a negative effect, particularly when placing bids. “Large companies can monopolize a product until compe-
tition catches up; they will also set parameters preventing or prohibiting others to compete,” said Tim Wallace, president of the New Jersey School Bus Owners Association. Smaller contractors then lose out during the bidding process,
if they do not include the same technologies as other competi- tors, even though it might not be a necessity. Other times, the new add-ons are mistaken for requirements. “Tey create a misconception that some ‘frills’ are required by
state or federal law,” said Karen Rolofson, owner of Rolofson Bus Service in Argenta, Ill. After talking to transportation directors of other small dis-
tricts and companies, Rolofson believes that many order their new buses by what they see, thinking some of the extra add-ons are actually required. “Tey think, ‘If the big guys have it, it must be required or a
good idea,’” said Rolofson. “In these times of cut backs, especially in Illinois where we are not receiving our state payments, we may need to eliminate the extras or even new buses.” ■
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