23 NOVEMBER 2015

Panasonic creates Global Docking Solutions business to meet mobile workforce needs worldwide

First vehicle mount designed and produced by GDS for launch of the rugged Panasonic CF-20 detachable notebook

Panasonic Computer Products Europe today announced the creation of its Global Docking Solutions business(GDS) to meet the needs of rugged Toughbook notebook and Toughpad customerswho require specialised docking solutions for their mobile workforce.

The GDSteam, headquartered at Panasonic Manufacturing UK Ltd. in Cardiff, Wales has many years of experience in integrating Panasonic docking solutions into all types ofvehicles.The teamwill design, developand certify its specialised docking solutions in-house, thus ensuring all docking solutions are brought to the global market at the same time as their accompanying Toughbook or Toughpad product.

In addition to the design and development of proprietary vehicle docks, the GDS team have access to the latest 3D scanning and rapid prototyping capabilities in-house,which enables them to quickly turn around any bespoke development projects that customers may require.

The first docking solution designed by the new GDS team is a vehicle docking solutionfor the latest fully rugged Panasonic CF-20 detachable Toughbook notebook. The Toughbook CF-20 offers the best of all worlds for mobile workers – a fully rugged notebook with detachable tablet that can be used in 6 different modes to meet every business need. Target industries for the CF-20 and its vehicle dock includeutilities and telecommunications, aerospace and defence, field service and the emergency services.

Introduced alongside the Toughbook CF-20, the device’s purpose-built vehicle dock wasalso the first vehicle dock to be launched simultaneously with the product, offering customers an immediate solution for mounting the device in their vehicles.

Lightweight with full functionality

The dock is constructed from Polycarbonate ABS and Aluminium for reduced weight and sustained durability. It provides full port replication and an optional antenna pass-through (TNC) for full functionality and enhanced connectivity.

Flexible installation options and added security

The universal mounting system, with a 75mm mounting plate as standard and other plates available upon request, ensures the dock is customisable for different mounting options. A secondary locking arm allows the device to be secured in either storage mode orconvertible mode,the latter enabling job routing and GPS functionality from the vehicle. The tablet is removable when the device is docked and locked in clamshell mode for quick and easy access when leaving the vehicle.

Built for rugged use

The dock has a rugged, self-cleaning docking connector tested to at least 30,000 cycles and built to withstand use over a long period. It is tested to MIL-STD-810G standards and undergoes UNECE Reg 17 impact testing (EU equivalent to SAE J1455) and will meet global standards as required.

“This first solution from the GDS team underlines the benefits of bringing the entire docking solution capability inside the Panasonic business,” said Kevin Jones, Managing Director, Panasonic Computer Products Europe.

“It means that we are able to design the docking solution in conjunction with the Toughbook or Toughpad to be available at launch and it is built with the flexibility and needs of our customers in mind. Our GDSteam is then available to work alongside our customers to integrate the device into any vehicle or workstation requirement and to design further customised peripheral solutions to meet our customers' requirements.”

About Panasonic System Communications Company Europe (PSCEU)

PSCEU is the European branch of Panasonic Systems Communications Company, the global B2B division of Panasonic. PSCEU’s goal is to improve the working lives of business professionals and help their organisations’ efficiency and performance. We help organisations capture, compute and communicate all sorts of information: image, voice, and textual data. Products include PBX telephone switches, document printers, professional cameras, projectors, large visual displays, rugged mobile PCs and fire alarms solutions. With around 400 staff, engineering design expertise, global project management capability and a large European partner network, PSCEU offers unrivalled capability in its markets.

PSCEU is made up of four product categories:

  • Communication Solutions, including professional scanners, multifunctional printers, telephony systems and SIP terminal devices.
  • Visual System Solutions, including projectors and professional displays. Panasonic offers the widest range of Visual products, and leads the European projector market with 28% revenue share. (Futuresource B2B market tracking, Q1/2014)
  • Professional Camera Solutions, including Broadcast & ProAV products, security, fire alarm systems and industrial medical vision (IMV) technology. Panasonic is one of the top two professional camera vendors in Europe.
  • Computer Product Solutions helps mobile workers improve productivity with its range of Toughbook rugged notebooks, Toughpad business tablets and electronic point of sales (EPOS) systems. As European market leaders, Panasonic Toughbook had a 66.4% revenue share of sales of rugged and durable notebooks and Panasonic Toughpad held a 50.4% revenue share of sales of rugged business tablets in 2013 (VDC Research, March 2014).

Disclaimer:

  • All brand names shown are the registered trademarks of the relevant companies. All rights reserved.
  • All working conditions, times and figures quoted are optimum or ideal levels and may differ as a result of individual and local circumstances.
  • Specifications, product availability and price given herein may be changed at any time without prior notice.

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