[April 04, 2006] Panasonic to Highlight Embedded Wireless Computing Solutions for Improved Performance and Lower Total Cost of Ownership at CTIA Wireless 2006 Tweet LAS VEGAS --(Business Wire)-- April 4, 2006 -- Leader in Reliable, Engineered-for-Wireless Computers to Demonstrate New Products, Integrated Solutions With Technology and Carrier Partners; HSDPA 1.8 and EV-DO Revision A Also on Display Panasonic Computer Solutions Company will demonstrate rugged and semi-rugged Panasonic(R) Toughbook(R) mobile computers with embedded next generation wireless technologies at CTIA WIRELESS 2006, April 5 -- 7 in Las Vegas, Nevada, Hall C3, Booth 2635. Panasonic Toughbooks are engineered to provide reliable access to data on the fastest wide area wireless technologies available today, including CDMA 1xRTT, GSM/GPRS, EDGE and EV-DO. Panasonic has been integrating wide area wireless solutions since 1996 and was the first manufacturer to ship rugged and semi-rugged notebooks and tablet PCs with embedded EV-DO and EDGE network access. According to a recent (February, 2006) report by Unstrung Enterprise Insider, embedded wireless modems can result in significantly lower total cost of ownership due, in part, to the fact that PC cards are susceptible to frequent damage. "The savings on repair and employee downtime alone can support a business case for going with embedded modems," according to analyst Tim Kridel. "Embedded modules also offer faster, more reliable performance than plug-in modems, reducing help desk calls and improving employee productivity." Thousands of durable Panasonic Toughbook PCs and tablets with embedded next generation wireless access have already been deployed within the public sector and in industrial and commercial settings across virtually every industry. Last week, Panasonic launched its new semi-rugged Toughbook CF-74 notebook, which has also been certified on the EV-DO networks of both Sprint and Verizon. Industry Partnerships for Total Solutions Partnering with leading carriers and technology providers is core to Panasonic's mobile computing strategy. Momentum around these solutions continues to grow, providing customers with a high degree of flexibility: -- Alltel and Panasonic recently announced that select rugged and semi-rugged Toughbook PCs and convertible tablets were the first mobile computers certified for use on the Alltel network. -- Panasonic Toughbook notebooks have been certified on the Cingular Wireless EDGE network since the summer of 2005. Cingular and Panasonic have already partnered to deliver solutions to a number of public safety organizations. Panasonic will also demonstrate next generation HSDPA 1.8 access from Cingular at CTIA. -- Through a technology partnership with Sierra Wireless, Panasonic Toughbooks access both the Sprint and Verizon EV-DO networks using the embedded EM5625 modem. -- Sprint and Panasonic have successfully deployed hundreds of EV-DO enabled units in public and private sector applications. Joint solutions from Sprint, Sierra Wireless and Panasonic will be on display in Sprint's booth (1439) at CTIA, as will a working demonstration of EV-DO Revision A. -- Verizon Wireless certified select rugged and semi-rugged Toughbook computers on its EV-DO network in September, 2005. "Panasonic has a longstanding commitment to providing best-in-class embedded wireless capabilities to our customers," said Victoria Obenshain, Director of Strategic Wireless, Panasonic Computer Solutions Company. "As a leader in mobile computing for nearly 15 years and a provider of integrated wireless solutions since as early as 1996, we continue to invest considerable resources in developing deep relationships with carrier and OEM partners who share a common vision to deliver and support the most reliable and durable wireless solutions available." Integrated Wireless for Advanced Performance Panasonic's integrated wireless computing solutions are designed, developed, manufactured and tested to provide the most advanced performance in the industry. Embedded modems are engineered for maximum uptime and performance. Isolated from radiated noise and heat, embedded modems generally deliver improved connections to wireless networks. Because embedded solutions also allow users to take advantage of system power management capabilities, battery performance, critical to any mobile computer user, is also enhanced. Finally, because these systems are designed to work as a unit, modem loss, theft or damage due to user error is significantly reduced. By contrast, PC cards often suffer data loss due to a number of factors, including physical signal interference and system heat and noise from internal PC components. When inserted, PC Cards also drain battery life, whether or not they are actively connected to a network. PC cards also add practical elements of risk. Repeated insertion and removal of PC cards can result in damage to the card itself and to internal PC components. As a non-integrated component, the likelihood of PC Card loss and theft -- resulting in higher costs and reduced productivity -- also increases. "Our carrier partners have invested heavily to deliver world-class data networks and customers deserve to use them to their full potential. This cannot be readily -- or reliably -- achieved through an add-on approach to wireless access," concluded Obenshain. "Mobile computers need to be engineered to fire on all cylinders and they must be designed to stand up to the rigors of mobility if users are to achieve the true promise of next generation wireless." About Panasonic Computer Solutions Company Panasonic Computer Solutions Company empowers the mobile workforce. The company is a unit of Panasonic Corporation of North America, which is the principal North American subsidiary of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (NYSE:MC). Panasonic has delivered reliable, durable mobile solutions through its Toughbook(R) line of notebook computers for thirteen years and has expanded the boundaries of wireless technology through a broad portfolio of products, ranging from fully rugged, industrial strength notebook computers and tablet PCs to thin and light semi-rugged notebooks. A core manufacturer, Matsushita and its subsidiaries control the entire process of design, manufacture, quality assurance, service and support. As a result, Panasonic Toughbooks are known for having the lowest failure rates in the industry. Government, industrial, and commercial users -- from Fortune 1,000 companies to small businesses -- rely on solutions from Panasonic, wherever their work takes them. All brand and company/product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of the respective companies. All specifications are subject to change without notice. Information on Panasonic's full line of notebook PCs for the mobile professional can be obtained by calling 800-662-3537 or at http://www.panasonic.com/toughbook. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]