Changes over 45 years

I,ve been in hydraulics for over 45years and watched the industry off- load their technical sales people. We are now referred to websites to sort it out for ourselves, is this the way forward?
Sound technical product knowledge seems to be something of the past. Many sales engineers, with years of experience could offer good advice on how you could use their product. They new how much extra margine you might have on pressure or flow etc.
With few exceptions, you are now passed from pillar to post and usually end up on a website sorting it out for yourself and hoping that you have got it right.
There is nothing that gives more confidence than buying a product from an engineer who knows his stuff!