I think many of you are looking too darkly on the choice of words, when "leveraging" isn't a four letter word, but a long established and accepted business practice. All of the sponsors of FIRST, and any other program or sporting event for that matter, expect to see return on their investment. Do you think those sponsor logos are plastered all over a NASCAR ride because they like the sport, driver, or race team? They want their investment to convince you to buy their product.
Computer and software manufacturers have been doing this for years, too. How many of you have purchased computers, hardware, and software at "student" rates? How many of you, as students or professionals, have requested literature or product samples from companies for evaluation? The companies aren't doing these things to be nice to you. They hope and expect that if you use their products as students, or as samples, you'll be happy and comfortable with using them and convince your employers to use the same products when you enter the workforce or for a new work project.
This is all NI is getting at. If they and their business partners support FIRST and our teams, and make our use of their products enjoyable and successful, they'll likely benefit through
future sales. Not necessarily to FIRST teams, but to companies you'll be working for.
One of the reasons I enjoy volunteering as a FIRST mentor is that I get to work with products I don't normally use in my 9-5 job. It's fun, it's learning, and I end up with a more diverse knowledge base. If I was to ever change jobs and my employer suggested using a cRio controller for an industrial automation project I could say... "Yes, great platform. I used it in FIRST and I already know how to use it. Buy it and when do we start?"
We also become a very large test base for the manufacturers. If we have difficulties with using the cRio, NI can use the feedback to make improvements and changes. Those changes might help a "paying" customer avoid a costly mistake which could lead to a poor product reputation and potential loss of sales.
Remember, FIRST is FIRST, and business is business, but both can, and should, work together so both can win.
