INDUSTRY INTERVIEW: Panasonic Computer Solutions Company
INDUSTRY INTERVIEW
Jan Ruderman
Vice President, Government Sales
Panasonic Computer Solutions Company (PCSC)
Panasonic Computer Solutions Company (PCSC) has provided rugged mobile solutions through its Toughbook line of notebook computers for 15 years, and is the leading provider of rugged mobile solutions for the federal government. Jan Ruderman is the vice president for government sales for PCSC. He has nearly 20 years of government technology experience, including eight years leading Panasonic’s public safety and state and local government teams.
Q: Can you describe how Panasonic’s line of Toughbook computers is deployed by government customers?
A: Panasonic has a rich history of innovation in mobile computing, and government and military customers have played a significant role contributing to our product development to ensure we effectively meet their mobile computing needs. We have a full line of reliable mobile PCs that are used by military and civilian operations in a variety of mission-critical environments, from extreme locales, such as the desert, to offices that require maximum uptime. More than 100,000 Panasonic Toughbook PCs are currently being utilized in Iraq and Afghanistan, and our products are used by more than 5,000 public safety agencies worldwide.
Q: How are Toughbook PCs different from other rugged PC solutions?
A: Panasonic works closely with our customers, and we consistently hear that Panasonic Toughbook laptops are the leading solution for reliable, rugged mobile PCs. At Panasonic, we always focus on innovation, quality and delivering solutions, not just products. We work closely with our partners and our customers to ensure the right tool is deployed for their application and usage environment. Panasonic has a rich history of industry firsts, including creating rugged notebooks in a standard form factor, the first rugged convertible tablet, integrated CD-ROMs, magnesium alloy-encased LCDs, and 3G wireless with support for EDGE/HSDPA and EV-DO. We were an innovator in engineering ruggedness into a variety of computing form factors, from desktop replacements to thin-and-light ultra-portable notebooks. We are able to innovate and respond to customer demand because, unlike our competitors, we engineer, build and test our products in our own factories, enabling us to achieve higher standards for reliability, including failure rates that are among the lowest in the industry.
Q: Can you describe Panasonic’s product development and testing procedures?
A: Government customers want to know the products they buy are tested and live up to high standards. To be classified as a “rugged” computer, there are certain specifications and tests that manufacturers must meet or pass. These specifications are defined by two U.S. government standards: MIL-STD-810F (or “mil spec”) and IP or ingress protection. These standards are primarily focused on environmental protection and sealing possible entry points for dust and water, and on testing against damages from vibration, drops or shocks. Panasonic Toughbook fully rugged PCs have an IP54 rating and are certified to have passed—and exceeded—11 mil spec tests. Of course, there are also customer-tested in combat and in the field. Our level of reliable performance adds months or years to the life of a Toughbook solution and results in a lower total cost of ownership than many other products.
Q: What are the most significant trends and emerging needs of government customers?
A: We are learning from our government customers that the needs of the military are changing, and mobile PC solutions are a key tool for supporting military missions. There is an increased need for instant information, access to resources, and products that perform in rugged environments so that priorities are met wherever they need to be. More than ever, quick access to precise information in the field is a critical weapon to our armed forces. This requires reliable communication tools.
Because we have such a strong heritage serving the military, we are able to build products that can adapt to a wide range of customer environments. We pride ourselves on partnering with government customers. This partnership gives them a direct line of communication with senior Panasonic executives on a frequent basis to discuss products in the field, areas for improvement, and how we can innovate to address new challenges faced. For instance, customers have expressed interest in a compact ultra-mobile PC (UMPC) form factor that can deliver all the features of a Toughbook mobile PC. In the coming months, we will introduce an exciting new product to address this need and we expect widespread adoption throughout the government and military.
Q: Can you share any more details about new product introductions?
A: Our new Panasonic Toughbook rugged UMPC will be available this summer and will deliver great processing power and unique functionality in an exciting new form factor. It will be our most rugged product to date. We will also be making enhancements to several other Toughbook notebooks based on military feedback, and look forward to informing our customers when those new models become available. Information about the new form factor is available at www.panasonic.com/toughbook. ♦
