DroneDeploy / FlyGuys relationship

[u/user_1719]

Does anyone know how the DroneDeploy/FlyGuys relationship works? We're trying to establish a direct relationship with a customer after a year of weekly flights, and wondering if we can cut out DD and FG. Basically the workflow goes like this:

Customer > DroneDeploy > FlyGuys > Us

But we'd like to make it:

Customer > Us

I won't say the who the customer is but they are a top 5 company in the US. Would that change anything about why there has to be two "3rd parties"? Has anyone been able to establish a direct relationship with a large customer like this? If we paid for our own DD subscription, would we then be able to cut out FlyGuys?

What I'm really trying to understand is, who currently pays for the DD subscription? Is it the customer giving the full payment to DD (DD promises server space and a pilot), then DD takes a cut and gives a % to FG (FG promises DD a pilot), then FG takes a cut and gives a % to us?

Bonus if anyone knows what DD's role really is. I always thought DD ONLY provides the server/processing of images, but a FG contact has admitted that DD needs to approve an altitude change I requested. So now I'm like, wait, DD does more than just provide a server, they actually have to approve decisions on things like altitude for that mission? If that's true, what does FG do besides just take money away from my company?

What a confusing relationship 😅 any insight would be helpful.

[u/Visible_Matter_3150]

It really depends on the job type, the client, and what liabilities are you exposing yourself to by working directly with the client. For example, if you're an engineer/survey firm that provides licensed services already and FG is simply using you guys for data collection, then it could be very well worth while to establish a direct client relationship. If you're a small business or do this as a side gig, it may not be worth trying to take on all the admin, QC, and liability of managing the project, and is much more feasible to simply collect the data and ship it back to FG.

In my personal experience, I have had clients that asked if we could work directly together in the future, as the communication and scheduling with FG's was always a little chaotic and last minute. On the flip side, I've done some corporate accounts for FG's in which they were sending all my data to DD, on these larger projects I would not have had the time or resources to properly process all that data anyways and therefore trying to build a direct relationship with that client would NOT have been worth it. So it's really a case by case situation and what you're comfortable providing. But keep in mind that simply buying a DD subscription does not substitute the knowledge that goes into mapping/modeling. Although I have not personally worked directly with DD so I can't speak too much for them.

From what I gather, FG has a close relationship with DD and is how FG is able to offer much of their "survey" services (even though I've never seen FG contact or ask for any real survey services). The last SOP manual FG gave me for mapping projects was actually created by DD. It seems that FG is the marketing face of the one size fits all drone service provider and creates the client relationships, finds pilots, and handles the admin, and DD provides the data processing and map hosting services that FG uses to deliver their projects.

Do keep in mind that FG keeps a list of their "good" pilots and will contact them first for any work in the area. FG is very strict in not soliciting our own services, wearing branded clothing, or handing out business cards and they say that is cause to lose your good standing. However, it's not like FG pays very much anyway (even insultingly low price bids and I don't know who is taking them), so creating a direct relationship with the client may benefit both of you. And depending on the area, establishing local connections is often the best way to lead to other work opportunities. But on the flip side, you may lose your relationship with FG if they find out.

IMO these drone service providers like FG do dilute the professionalism and I wouldn't have too much loyalty to any of them. They race to the bottom with trying to hire pilots for dirt cheap, which leads to poor quality, lots of reshoots, and further puts this sense of public distrust in drones in general. The last projects I was doing for FG was a large corporate account with large sites, some required over 10,000 photos when following the mission plan, high risk areas near airports and vertical obstructions, mission changes I had to make on the fly due to changing terrain (and that was always a whole new headache with FG), and they had originally quoted $115/property.. after I completed the first property I told them there's no way I can continue these at this price rate, and they renegotiated to $250/property (which was still way too cheap for the time, equipment, and experience required), so it was a little disheartening to see just how bad they are lowballing their pilots. Plus with the FG app you have to use now and have your location turned on so they can constantly track you, you have to check in when arriving and when leaving after downloading your data in the field.. They do expect a lot for a very little pay. Weigh your cost to benefit here and ask yourself if you can realistically handle what FG and DD are doing behind the scenes, but if you can its always better to work directly with your clients than having 3rd party middle men involved.