Bruker ASMS! No new releases and hopefully a refocusing on support?

 

Edit #3 (6/8/2026): 

This original and then second post generated way too much traffic and too many messages. I've got 2 proposals I'm working on and don't have time for it. So...I took it down and took a little break...

Actual Bruker release at ASMS didn't feature new hardware, which I was very excited about. There is a new diaPASEF variant and some improvements to the PASER/BPS thing. They just rolled out the AIP and TIMSOmi last year and this year was focused on applications of these devices. Cool stuff across the board. Hoping this means a focus on supporting the stuff that is already being sold - that is probably better than we know - because people just haven't had a chance to really pressure test it yet. 

Let's see if I can recapture my original impressions and sentiments without the emotions from what has recently been a bumpy road as a customer of the company. Said rough road from my perspective is that I keep seeing new instruments absolutely everywhere and I have not seen anything approaching a proportional increase in the number of people to support said instruments, at least in my geography. This goes for both field service engineers (the ones that install and fix the stuff) or application specialists (the people who troubleshoot and/or develop new methods). In the latter case I feel like there is actually a decrease and can cite specific examples of emails that now bounce, including to some of the most experienced TIMSTOF support scientists in the country. 

Don't get this mixed up - good, well-trained, qualified people are still out there. But if you go from selling 1 instrument every 3 years in the United States to selling 3 instruments in each decent sized city per year, support should scale. In addition, I've personally seen a rapid escalation in the prices of the instruments and service contracts. Escalation that could and should more than make up for global inflation. It's tough to not be frustrated when you see a company increasing prices, decreasing support and buying every silly looking company in sight.