Just a heads up for those of you who are shopping but not on a VAR mailer list yet. Saratech is offering a current promotion that is by far the best deal out there right now for CW4SE (CAMWorks for Solid Edge).
“From 25 – 50% Discount on CAMWorks for Solid Edge
We recently introduced CAMWorks for Solid Edge; an embedded CAM program that is fully integrated with Solid Edge.
It is the only feature-based CAM product on the market that leverages synchronous technology! So now the reduced programming time that users have become accustomed to with CAMWorks … has become even more powerful embedded within the “synchronous technology”.
For a limited time, we’re able to offer some of the CAMWorks for Solid Edge products at a special introductory price ….
Up to 25 % Discount on CAMWorks Milling Seats
Up to 33% Discount on Milling and VoluMill Bundles
Up to 50% Discount on VoluMill Add Ons”
Here is a link
http://www.saratechinc.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=904:camworks-for-solid-edge&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=108
Now I will say that at this time Saratech appears to be the only VAR out there that is willing to offer significant discounts for CW4SE and they appear to be the only ones who really understand how to introduce a new program and WANT you as a customer enough to pursue you in a significant way. It is not easy or cheap to walk away from an existing CAM program as you have a lot of money and time tied up in these and this kind of promotion is exactly what is required to help ease the pain. I don’t know how all of you feel but it was a serious discount that brought me to Solid Edge years ago and it is what will bring many to Saratech and CW4SE I believe. It is not like other VAR’s can’t do this but as of today they have chosen not to do this.
In addition they have hired for CAM support a very knowledgeable CAMWorks veteran from the SW side of things. Now let me tell you that the underlying procedures between the SE and SW versions are pretty much the same and so he can answer CAM questions as only an experienced user can. I have spoken with him and I am impressed with him and his attitude towards customer support.
I certainly think Saratech should be on your short list of potential VAR’s for CW4SE and if you are shopping or interested give them a call. They also have some webinars from this support guy for CW4SE coming up so check out their website for details. Folks, the best deals on new software should be when they are being introduced and these guys are the only ones who seem to be serious about it at this point in time.
Just as a reflection on dealing with VAR’s in general. I hate this process because some of them really tell you things like I can’t offer discounts because I have to make a living to. Somehow they forget that you are also a company and that you have to make a living too and part of how you do this is prudent cost containment however you can. They often forget that when the shoe is on the other foot and it always gets my attention when a potential vendor is willing to remember that your bottom line is just as important as his.
Machined Audio Horn Lens 
“I hate this process because some of them really tell you things like I can’t offer discounts because I have to make a living to. Somehow they forget that you are also a company and that you have to make a living too and part of how you do this is prudent cost containment however you can. They often forget that when the shoe is on the other foot and it always gets my attention when a potential vendor is willing to remember that your bottom line is just as important as his.”
As a vendor I have/do always considered the customers’ bottom line as a prerequisite to any recommendations for products or services I might be trying to sell h/er/im.
A salesperson who tromped out a line, similar to that which is in your quote above, would be on the receiving end of a lecture – from me – relating to just how important my profitability is to h/er/is initial/on-going business. Failure to accept or understand what I said – by my target – would be taken as a measure of their business acumen and would be a clear signal – to me – to avoid supporting their business with my custom.
Paul, “Failure to accept or understand what I said – by my target – would be taken as a measure of their business acumen and would be a clear signal – to me – to avoid supporting their business with my custom.” Is exactly what I am considering right now. Funny thing about all this is that this VAR I am discussing would like to have me support their company through my public comments to help their sales out.
Dave, maybe, for you, a business opportunity – ‘at/for a price’ – and a chance to teach the VAR – not only some manners – but some business sense and ‘best practice’. I used to do product demos for one of my competitors (and a much larger one and one of Autodesk’s biggest dealers) and was paid my full hourly rate for the task. As odd as the situation looked – to some – it meant I got some good return from doing a job properly from a company against whom I could not compete with at the pricing level.