Taiwan-based industrial PC maker and network processor developer, Advantech, revealed revenues of $37.4 million for February 2011, down 26.7 percent this month from last, but up 33.74 percent for the year.

Advantech (News - Alert) officials pointed out that the on-month drop was mainly due to fewer working days in the month because of the Lunar New Year holidays, while “clients shifting forward their shipment schedules to January also had some minor affect.”

Company officials are optimistic about demand in March, saying they expect its results in the first quarter to “have a chance to perform better” than its original forecast of a sequential drop of 10 percent.

Evidently, Advantech officials think that its performance in February was better than expected, since, as they say, “the company saw most of its employees returning to work after the Lunar New Year plus clients continue to place orders.”

In February, Advantech saw its revenues from Japan grow 23 percent with Europe also growing 3 percent; meanwhile, the company's industrial automation business saw shipment growth of 7 percent in February with smart platform business also seeing 4 percent growth.

Earlier this month, TMC reported that Advantech Industrial Automation Group introduced two new 8-port EN50155 IP67 managed Ethernet switches, the EKI-6558TI and EKI-6559TMI.

The EN50155 certification and redundant X-Ring “allow for trusted connection to Ethernet networks,” company officials said, “which is particularly useful for passenger information and video surveillance systems. With IP67 rated housings and vibration- resistant M12 connectors, these switches are built to withstand tough environments and ensure reliable transmissions.”

The EKI-6558TI and EKI-6559TMI have watertight and weatherproof cases to protect against mechanical stress, moisture and condensation, dirt, dust or vibrations. The EKI-6559TMI offers two fiber optic ports to guarantee interference-free connections and extend communication range.