Call one of the "non proprietary" controller manufacturers and ask them for a circuit board schematic. And copies of all their software code.
The point is that most ALL equipment is, by necessity , somewhat proprietary. Some more than others, for sure.
The important question is how much it will cost the owner to purchase the equipment and then maintain it, in a satisfactory manner, over the long term.
And what constitutes "satisfactory" maintenance? And how is that to be determined and enforced?
And what is "long term" ?
Been in this long enough to know that this industry, like most competitive industries, is driven by the customers demands and expectations, not so much the suppliers wishes.
We all know of customers who demand first class maintenance, and get first class maintenance. You know the ones, strictly enforced maintenance hours, spare parts requirements, callback targets, regular meetings to make sure everything is satisfactory, penalties, cancellation clauses, etc, etc.
The business is what it is. Some good and some not so good.
Just remember the most important thing, over and above anything else.
SAFETY for the riding public, and for yourself.
