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Contex to discontinue Vidar large format scanner brand

Contex logo

VIDAR, the oldest surviving brand name in large format scanning, is set to disappear.

From January 1st, 2010, all VIDAR wide format scanners will be branded with the Contex name. VIDAR wide format scanner partners will become Contex partners in the run-up to the New Year.

Vidar No More

VIDAR Systems Corporation is a world leader in medical scanning technology. The VIDAR medical film digitizer brand will not be affected by this transition. VIDAR Systems Corporation will continue within the Contex Group to use the high profile VIDAR name.

Scanners4CAD is sad to see Vidar go. The loss of one large format scanner supplier narrows the field and cuts your buying options in what is already a very small industry. However, as Vidar has not produced large format scanners of its own since before 2002 when Contex took it over, one has to question the contribution it makes to this industry. Like GTCO Calcomp, HP and Océ, Vidar simply OEMs (puts its name on) Contex wide format scanners. This cannot be said to expand your options very much.

Vidar was a Swedish company which manufactured large format scanners in the USA. Based in Herndon, VA, Vidar was a significant player in the large format scanner market during the 1980s and 1990s. It claims are to have developed and manufactured the first color large format scanner in 1997. From 1990, Vidar's product development was split between medical imaging equipment and large format scanning. Today, as the large format scanners that originially represented its core business are set to disappear, Vidar Corporation is a leader in the medical imaging market.

There are many influential members of the large format scanner industry today with links back to Vidar. Among these are Brian Honeycutt, (Contex Product Manager, Wide Format Solutions and an alumnus of Virginia Tech), Malcolm Lane, (president of Colortrac Inc.), Peter Sandberg (Colortrac Ltd EMEA Manager), Steve Morin, (MD of Colortrac's UK distributor, Allied Images) and Randy Geesman, (president of Paradigm Imaging who luckily turned to Graphtec after he was denied a Vidar agency by Contex's buy-out).

Contex are putting a positive, sensible spin on this development, saying, "though very successful, two separate brands of wide format scanners from the same manufacturer can create confusion. So, to make our brand even stronger, we have decided to differentiate our wide format scanner brand and VIDAR System Corporation’s successful brand of medical film digitizer products." Contex are also saying that "one brand will make it easier for our customers to choose the right scanner for their needs".

It is likely in the current economic conditions that the Contex Group is also looking for cost-savings that can lead to greater profitability. If, as we believe, Contex plans to change its sales model, it makes sense to get all its eggs in one basket. Contrary to what we assume might happen in future, Contex is sticking with its traditional resellers and channel partners right now.

Contex say that the demise of Vidar will be "business as usual for our customers. We stand behind all of our channel partners – and all of our customers, both old and new, will continue to receive the same great service and support. We will provide support and parts for all VIDAR products, and all warranties and service contracts will be honored. One brand will make it easier for our customers to choose the right scanner for their needs. It will also give us more time to concentrate on new and exciting initiatives".

It also claims, more controversially, that by focusing all its resources on one brand, "our R&D team will be able to get our new innovative products to market faster".

Without splitting hairs on what is a practical development for Contex, we doubt this. As Vidar scanners, as well as GTCO Calcomp, HP and Océ ones, are merely rebadged Contex scanners, Contex's R&D team does very little to add anything extra to make a Vidar or any of these other scanners any different from a standard Contex device.

In these circumstances, we wonder how practical it is for Contex to produce the minor OEM devices, in particular the GTCO Calcomp Series. Does the money Contex makes warrant GTCO Calcomp's "R&D" time? Probably not. Contex's problem is that if they were to dump an OEM like GTCO Calcomp their rivals might end up with the business. Is it better to dump them or keep them? Tough times, tough decisions for all.

For more information on Contex and its products, see:
www.contex.com