28 September 2005
DUBAI -- Panasonic, manufacturer of consumer electronics with an annual revenue of $1.4 billion in the Middle East region is presenting the latest range of Business System Solutions at Gitex 2005.
The new range is based on Panasonic's vision of 'ubiquitous networking' to create a more convenient and affluent society where all homes and businesses are networked to each other.
Seiji Koyanagi, managing director, Panasonic Marketing Middle East FZE, addressing the press, said, "Developing digitally networked products is central to Panasonic's vision to create powerful new ideas for life. Our new range of business solutions use digital networking technologies to ease our customers' personal and professional lives. This exciting range of products at Gitex will strengthen our position as leading providers of business system and audio-visual products.''
In an interview with Khaleej Times, Atsushi Hinoki, general manager, Panasonic said: "The UAE is number two market in this region after Iran and this year we achieved 15 market share and 11 per cent growth in sales in this region. For the last few years , Panasonic is experiencing double digit growth year-on-year. ''
Regarding the marketing strategy and which product is targeted in the UAE for growth in sales, he said: " Panasonic is promoting the Viera Plasma Televisions and Lumix digital cameras launched recently in line with their corporate strategy. The "VIERA" series boast a new G8 Plasma panel and VIERA Colour Management System with 8.6 billion on-screen colours available in screen sizes in the range of 37 inch to 65 inch. ''
When asked about Gitex and its response he told Khaleej Times, "Gitex being a central showpiece for global IT players,offers new strategic partnerships and achieve our business goals in the region. Panasonic is sparing no efforts to register a strong presence through a series of business systems and audio-visual products which will strengthen our position in the Gulf.
Hinoki also revealed that Panasonic has started the manufacturing unit at Osaka for Plasma Display Panel (PDP) segment and at present has plants in Malaysia and Singapore for consumer electronics.
At Gitex, apart from Viera series the company is displaying its latest models of home-cinema projectors, new range of home safety cameraswith features such as Color night view mode, Human detection sensor, SD memory card compatibility for time laps recording and IPv6 networking ability to transfer data securely.
Panasonic has also developed a high-speed home power line IP networking technology capable of high-definition video transmission. This new PLC technology makes it possible to provide broadband connectivity to every room in a house via existing home power lines using the BL-PA100 adaptor that contains a power plug, a LAN connector and an LSI chipset that converts broadband signals into electric signals that can be transmitted over a power line thus providing audio, video and data networking capabilities.
BY MOUSHUMI DAS CHAUDHURY
© Khaleej Times 2005
