OMRON -- anyone actually get any technical support from them?

[WorldPowerLabs]

Hello all,

This is not intended to be a rant -- just a question.  I had contacted OMRON twice to ask for their advice in selecting between a couple of their relay families for a new design (I had just a couple, specific questions that were not addressed by the datasheets).  Never even got so much as an automated acknowledgement from them.  Has anyone had any success in contacting OMRON?

[jeroen74]

I'd not be surprised that you would have gotten a (quicker) response if it were obvious that you work at some big name international company

[WorldPowerLabs]

You're probably right on that... although I do work for a company that has products in retail stores across the United States and Canada, it's not a "household name" sort of company.  Still, I have complete discretion with regard to what vendors we use for our electronic designs and most companies are happy to call me back, send samples, send salesmen, etc.  (I guess since I'm the *only* EE there, that makes me the "chief" EE by default).

[jeroen74]

I can imagine they don't want to spend much resources on hobbyists, but not reacting to a serious business customer seems somewhat stupid to me. Maybe just give them a ring?

[AndyC_772]

Most component manufacturers don't provide support direct, even to most companies.

Go to a franchised distributor and ask to speak to a field applications engineer; that's how companies buying hundreds rather than millions of parts get support.

[mikeselectricstuff]

Most component manufacturers don't provide support direct, even to most companies.

Go to a franchised distributor and ask to speak to a field applications engineer; that's how companies buying hundreds rather than millions of parts get support.

And as most distributors carry multiple manufacturers they may be able to advise on competitor parts that may be more suitable, cheaper or more readily available.