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CommentaryMatterport Competes with MSPsMatterport KerfuffleMultifamilySneaky

Matterport Competing with Matterport Pros?4427

WGAN Forum
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DanSmigrod private msg quote post Address this user
Hi All,

So, among the 50 Matterport job openings is this Inside Sales Associate - Multi-Family (Chicago-based position).

I re-read the job description multiple times.

My impressions:

1. Matterport is soliciting business from multi-family communities (builders, property management companies)
2. Matterport will engage Pros to shoot these jobs
3. Matterport will set the rate of pay to Pros

Essentially, since Matterport controls the vertical, it is likely that they will sell for less than the rest of us and do their best to turn us all into a commodity.

If I have correctly concluded what Matterport is doing, this seems unfair that Matterport is competing with us. If Matterport wants to be supportive of the Matterport Pro Community, it should only be generating leads to Pros.

I could imagine that Matterport would argue that it is generating business for Pros. If that business was at the highest rate of pay in the market, I would be fine with that.

I doubt that is the case.

Have you already run into this scenario in your market? If so, how – and how much are they paying you? Feel free to share privately and I will post anonymously.

First we development business and the client buys a camera. Now we development business and the client buys via Matterport to get a lower price.

What do you think?

Best,

Dan
Post 1 IP   flag post
Frisco, Texas
Metroplex360 private msg quote post Address this user
Multi-Family is a very different industry to Realtors and regional businesses.

Large multi-family companies exist at both a national and regional level and look for national vendors to deliver consistent products at a negotiated pricepoint with enterprise support.

Let's pretend that Starbucks wants to use Matterport Tours.

Starbucks is corporately owned. To my knowledge, no MSP has been commissioned to scan a Starbucks location as all marketing decisions are carefully controlled on a national level. If Starbucks were to commission this, it would likely need to be done at a very high level.

In order for an MSP to be involved with this process, they would need to be part of a larger company that has experience in working with the enterprise sector.

We-Get-Around is an excellent vehicle for working within the Enterprise sector. With We-Get-Around, Dan Smigrod can leverage his network of MSPs to fulfill a centralized project with a standardized pricepoint, standardized expectations, and a certain consistency across all 50 states -- and possibly across the world. In order for this to happen, Dan Smigrod must have the infrastructure setup to negotiate this contract and immediately assign jobs to MSPs under him as well as handle all financial transactions and alleviate any complicated logistics from the client.

For the sake of the example - the result would be one negotiation for scanning of 300+ newer construction Starbucks locations across the United States with a rapid schedule for scanning and turning in assets. In addition, all assets would be submitted to a centralized Starbucks account wherein Starbucks nationwide marketing would be able to access statistical data and be trained on this.

--

Take this analogy now and apply it back to the topic. There are massive Multi-Family management companies that range from corporately owned apartments that are corporately managed -- to corporately managed apartments for a massive number of different owners (either investment groups or individual owners).

Multi-Family is a sector wherein Matterport is under-utilized and adoption is slower than Real Estate. Multi-Family is a market that is difficult to penetrate due to the corporate structure. Adoption of Matterport by these larger companies requires an entirely different level of client interaction.

If Matterport can penetrate this market -- one that you as an MSP may not be engaging -- and can offer you opportunities to work alongside them via either the MSP program or private contracting -- would you welcome additional opportunities?

--

I got into Matterport to primarily serve home builders and multi-family, wherein I already have a sizeable market penetration in my region.

I raised a stink when my customer sent me an e-mail he'd received containing tentative price points and concepts concerning a nationwide roll-out. Matterport contacted me and we had several discussions that eventually culminated in me recognizing the difference between nationwide contracts and regional ones.

Suffice to say, I believe that if Matterport DOES negotiate national contracts and DOES engage MSPs to fulfill tours that it WILL benefit more MSPs and provide more opportunities.

This is why many of us have signed up to referral networks like We-Get-Around and the MSP Program. It's to receive more business.

Concerning pricepoints -- I have already worked on lower than preferable price points for MSPs on this very forum in order to be fulfill the needs of a budgeted project as a subcontractor.

To do this for Matterport, We-Get-Around, or any larger agency (like to awesome folks at Outhouse/UC3D and others) is no different.
Post 2 IP   flag post
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DanSmigrod private msg quote post Address this user
@Metroplex360

Thank you for the insight.

That said, I believe, we are talking about two different multi-family home scenarios.

One is market specific. In that case, I believe, we both would agree that Matterport is competing directly with a local Pro.

The second is the Starbucks analogy which I proposed in this We Get Around blog post on 26 October 2014:

Analysis: How the We Get Around Network of Matterport Pro 3D Camera Photographers Will Accelerate Adoption of Matterport 3D Showcase Cloud Processing and Hosting.

Essentially, I wrote the playbook for what Matterport is doing now - with ONE EXCEPTION - a third-party company would provide this roll (not Matterport).

Since then, I have come to the conclusion that I would rather 3rd party companies use the We Get Around Network Map to source Pros: rather than We Get Around engaging Pros.

There are plenty of talented Matterport Pros in the Community that can handle one order / multiple markets - and already use the We Get Around Network Map to source Pros. Now, they may run into their competitor - Matterport. Matterport should focus on creating demand and encouraging one order / multiple markets by 3rd party companies.

Essentially, Matterport is stunting growth in the long term by - once again - competing with their clients.

The ONLY thing I am not happy about is Matterport being in the business of placing orders with Pros. This WILL DRIVE DOWN THE PRICE at the expense of the Pro community.

They really needed to inspire other companies to be in this role – and there are companies that do this today - using the We Get Around Network Map to do this.

Dan

P.S. By the way, the way my We Get Around Network blog post was rather lengthy on this topic. Matterport could have succeeded faster - as well as be supportive of the Pro community - had they implemented my playbook starting in 2014.
Post 3 IP   flag post
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VTLV private msg quote post Address this user
I have enough issues competing with guys on the other side of the country selling Matterport to regional and national companies in mine and other markets.

Then contacting me to do the job for peanuts while they charge more than my own pricing. I could only imagine what Matterport would want to pay us. Barely worth getting out of bed for with little chance of gaining a new client. They will probably require dress code rules not displaying your company info and have you commit to an agreement not to solicit these companies with your services to their clients.
Post 4 IP   flag post
Frisco, Texas
Metroplex360 private msg quote post Address this user
@DanSmigrod

As I stated, I believe that WGA has the ability to leverage its network as a 3rd party. I believe that Matterport's primary interest in this scenario would be to engage companies that have a multi-regional presence, therefore are looking for a enterprise-level solution.

I do believe that @DanSmigrod would be capable of leveraging his relationships within the MSP community, his professionalism and his vision to land these sorts of contracts. It would require a shift in the WGA Referral Network to both offer referrals and direct contract jobs. Or -- if you would rather -- it would be that WGA lands a job and uses it's own referral network to source talent.

I believe that at a national level, many companies would prefer to contract a SINGLE entity for fulfillment of a commodity like Matterport Tours. These are the opportunities that we as individuals are NOT getting and the companies that we are NOT engaging.

@VTLV - I do this too. I consider these contracts that I otherwise would have never received and happily fulfill them. It is my hope that if Matterport chooses to act as an agency in the same manner that they would have the same courtesy. If they do not and if they launch a program similar to what Dan describes, then we can serve as a watch dog if we choose to.
Post 5 IP   flag post
Gerhard private msg quote post Address this user
Cant wait for NC Tech to launch. All our headaches will be over. @Metroplex360 will be able to do his magic wizardy and develop the most awesome aplications that I for one will not mind to pay for his services. That we all can focus on our bussines and service offerings and not worry what our hardware / sofwtare provider has hidden from us or restrictions. ( I still want to see a comapny like Canon for example treat there photrgarphers/ product end users in this manner, they will be bankrupt in a year if this was the case ) So I scinceerly hope and pray that this will be our saving grace as service providers. Or they wake up and start taking us seriouse.
Post 6 IP   flag post
Frisco, Texas
Metroplex360 private msg quote post Address this user
@Gerhard The topic seems to be related to discussing the possibility of Matterport offering opportunities to dozens of MSPs across the nation to scan commercial properties by signing massive contracts in under served markets.

While I understand that there's an interest in creative 3rd party services, I have full confidence that Matterport will provide a way for me to have more fun than I have ever had with their system. Their development team is running on all cylinders.

Stay tuned...
Post 7 IP   flag post
Gerhard private msg quote post Address this user
@Metroplex My opolgies if I read it wrong.
Post 8 IP   flag post
Bobby private msg quote post Address this user
I hope your right @Metroplex360. In the southern end of the world Matterport have upset the Pros already by pushing the sale of the cameras and have had a direct result on the pros income. The real estate game is hard enough (along with other industries)but this has more or less destroyed it. To be a step above the rest you need to bolt on everything else and third party solutions. To be honest I don't think a Matterport business is sustainable at all on its own and definitely not a scalable model anymore. A sole one man band with add on's yes, profitable....hmmm marginally. I love the tech and I do believe they are the leaders in commercialising 3D CAD photorealistic modelling but cruising along having fun is not why I began the Matterport journey. I've done 'world's first's' in various models within the community only to benefit Matterport. I guess I have had fun along the way but at this stage its just a camera....am I sounding bitter! Sorry don't mean to be but I am just realising the time and money spent on chasing and researching only for a few bucks. For me a new business model awaits......
Post 9 IP   flag post
Frisco, Texas
Metroplex360 private msg quote post Address this user
@Bobby Maybe the Google Street View option will be a boon for you? I don't really agree with you on scalability -- I sneered at the idea of scaling at the end of 2016. I now own multiple cameras and have enlisted a few local MSPs to keep up with demand as word of mouth spreads and my marketing continues to bring in people -- that and I get business from Google Street View requests and MSP Referrals. I hope you experience a snowball - and keep on marketing!
Post 10 IP   flag post
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DanSmigrod private msg quote post Address this user
@Bobby

Here's a list of 3rd party service providers to help differentiate your Matterport Service Provider business.

Consider either bundling or offering as optional extras.

I am especially excited about the solutions for un-built spaces.

Dan
Post 11 IP   flag post
Bobby private msg quote post Address this user
Thank you. However I own 6 cameras with only one working hard. I also get multiple requests from Google for GSV but they are simply enquires and may have one out of the dozens and dozens of requests. We have been creating 'off the plan' animated fly throughs for a while now as well. Thank you to you both for the positive information. All the best.
Post 12 IP   flag post
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VTLV private msg quote post Address this user
Fun, another regional middle man came to into my town bringing the price down to $0.05/sq ft. I hope he continues to drop his prices and falls off the grid. Who the hell shoots for these guys?
Post 13 IP   flag post
justinv private msg quote post Address this user
@VTLV

That is what I thought about two weeks ago when someone wanted examples of my work and price list. They told me I did good work but someone else told them cheaper. My prices were at .12 with minimum of $120 for under 1000. I figure if I get in and out in about 45 minutes, at least I make $100. When I received the email, I didn't waste my time replying.

I had another agent with a 13,000sqft house and wanted me to do just a few rooms. The kicker was it was way out of my service range. I told her I would be happy to do just a few rooms but I was charging her for the entire house.

You get what you pay for and they will figure out why the price is so much cheaper.
Post 14 IP   flag post
Frisco, Texas
Metroplex360 private msg quote post Address this user
@Bobby You have 6 Matterport Cameras? Or just 6 cameras?
Post 15 IP   flag post
VRPM private msg quote post Address this user
Mp are directly servicing clients in London already. Taking business away from Msp rather than directing the business to them. Seemed odd that they'd do this but maybe they felt that it was a revenue stream they couldn't turn down.
Post 16 IP   flag post
GarySnyder private msg quote post Address this user
This should say it all http://www.virtualwalkthrough.com/about-us/ Virtual Walkthrough now MP has to cover their UK overhead and there's a limited number of cameras they can sell so they have to shoot jobs. This is what their business was for years and still is and they will continue to shoot jobs. This is not just happening in the UK it's happening all around the world.

When a company is backed by VC's it need to hit it's monthly targets come hell or high water and for VW that means shooting jobs to hit their numbers if camera sales are slow. These are just the hard facts about MP.
Post 17 IP   flag post
Frisco, Texas
Metroplex360 private msg quote post Address this user
@GarySnyder What an uncompelling, boring website... I'm thinking that they are not pushing this very hard as the website seems to be a functional placeholder for a future larger initiative.
Post 18 IP   flag post
FlightMedia private msg quote post Address this user
@GarySnyder Isn't that the company Matterport brought out.

I remember Amas from Matterport telling me in a meeting that Matterport brought the company and closed it down just for their contact list bearing in mind they used to be a big tours company.
Post 19 IP   flag post
GarySnyder private msg quote post Address this user
Not long ago they had placed an add for a someone interested in shooting VT's in the London area, they said it was for the existing contracts but I really question that. MP need to keep growing and there is a finite number of cameras they can sell in the UK so they need to generate income to justify the continued operation of their UK office. All ready the market is beginning to get crowded with MP shooters and since Niche Communications is now a MSP shooting VT at £99 one needs to question if it's a viable business for new comers.
Post 20 IP   flag post
FlightMedia private msg quote post Address this user
@GarySnyder You really are righting think you are onto something we are at this early stage questioning if we will continue with the Matterport branding and concentrate mainly on the UAV side and look at investing in another company with regards to tours, time till tell.

We have had people question the loyalty of MP to MSP's and their distributors before Matterport moved their office to the UK, one lead only last week said after a conversation with me last week they were doing research to see if it would viable and cost effective for their company to stand out with regards to branding if they went over to us doing their tours and now they are inundated with adds communications from Matterport to purchase their own camera which they are not interested in.

Puts a soar taste in your mouth to think you have listened to their dribble to find they are going behind your back, I put a request in for a MSP in my area and again our company did not get a mention when I questioned there was not reply so are referrals filtered?
Post 21 IP   flag post
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DanSmigrod private msg quote post Address this user
Hi All,

Please see related discussion today (18 July 2017) ....

Matterport now pricing their own 3Dscan cost

Dan
Post 22 IP   flag post
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DanSmigrod private msg quote post Address this user
Hi All,

Seems like an appropriate time to revisit this WGAN Forum discussion from three years ago.

Dan
Post 23 IP   flag post
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DanSmigrod private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by DanSmigrod



Screen Grab of eBlast sent to Matterport Service Providers [likely in Target Markets]


Matterport Recruiting Matterport Service Providers to Compete with MSPs

Hi All,

Above is the eBlast sent by Matterport Marketing today (Thursday, 9 April 2020) to recruit Matterport Service Providers to compete with Matterport Service Providers.

Thursday, Apr 16 from 8:00 - 9:00 am PST / 11:00 - Noon EST / 3:00 - 4:00 pm GMT.

Matterport Register Now Link

Below is a screen grab of the landing page that this link goes to.

Your thoughts?

By the way ...

I could imagine that Matterport will say that it's not competing with Matterport Service Providers because large accounts would not engage MSPs individually and that this business is only possible because Matterport is handling it directly.

I would not object if this was a 3rd party company or agency that was recruiting Matterport Service Providers for projects because they are not the same company that sells the camera and sets the rates for processing, hosting, publishing to Google Street View, 2D schematic floor plans and likely other services in the future.)

Plus, Matterport IS establishing benchmark pricing of what MSPs are getting paid. Never mind that Matterport is excluding the process, hosting, etc. because ... potential clients will just see the Matterport pricing and soon MSPs will be asked by their client to honor the pricing that Matterport is paying you.)

When Uber started out, they only offered rides form limo drivers. Eventually, Uber offered service from all drivers; thus, competing with those it said it would originally help.

Thanks,

Dan

----



Screen grab of the Matterport landing page for its Matterport Register Now link in the eBlast above

---

Body Text of eBlast

Last November, we announced that we were working with fellow MSPs and customers across industries to explore more efficient ways to support the growth we foresaw for scanning services. At that time, we projected that the demand for high-fidelity, professional scans would continue to rise among businesses and consumers in 2020.

The COVID-19 outbreak has accelerated the rollout of this new program to meet the urgent need for Matterport 3D scans from enterprise customers with regional or national reach.

We’re excited to tell you all about the new scan services program and answer any questions you will most certainly have.

Please join us on Thursday, Apr 16 from 8:00 - 9:00 am PST / 11:00 - Noon EST / 3:00 - 4:00 pm GMT.

We look forward to seeing you on the 16th to share the opportunities ahead of us.

--


eMail confirmation for attending this event
Post 24 IP   flag post
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DanSmigrod private msg quote post Address this user
Hi All,

It's been a year since our discussion (above).

You may find these related WGAN Forum discussions of interest:

✓ All WGAN Forum discussions tagged: Matterport Capture Services Program

Best,

Dan
Post 25 IP   flag post
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