Editor Speak

Toshiba sets A New Milestone

by VARINDIA 2010-04-12

Charting yet another new frontier in bringing alive the gen-next computing technology, Toshiba, in association with HCL Infosystems, has launched their world’s first range of eco-efficient consumer and business notebooks. Compliant with the European Union (EU) RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) directive, this range is the result of various initiatives undertaken by the Toshiba’s Corporate Environment Management Division, which works towards pioneering environment-conscious technologies and products. VARIndia speaks to Mr. Ivan Kam, Manager – Distributor Business South Asia, Computer Systems Division, Toshiba Singapore Pte Ltd., and Mr. Koushik Chatterjee, General Manager – Toshiba Mobile Computing, HCL Infosystems Ltd. to know Toshiba and its plans for the Indian market with the New Year round the corner.

What’s new?

Toshiba is known as a diversified manufacturer and marketer of advanced electronic and electrical products, spanning information and communications equipment and systems, Internet-based solutions and services, electronic components and materials, power systems, industrial and social infrastructure systems and household appliances. Since the launch of their first halogen-antimony-free PCB notebook in 1998, Toshiba has continued with such eco-efficiency initiatives. And, now Toshiba has launched the new eco-efficient range to cater to the business and consumer segments.

Business

* Thin & light PORTÉGÉ M500 ultraportables with 12.1’’ diagonal XGA display and swappable optical drive, coupled with Toshiba EasyGuard features

* Business series TECRA A8 with 14.1’’ diagonal XGA display and Toshiba EasyGuard features

Consumer

* Qosmio next-generation “four-in-one” audio-video notebook series with HD DVDROM

* Advanced performance and energy-efficient Satellite M100/A100 with 15.4-inch diagonal WXGA widescreen display with Clear SuperView Technology

* Toshiba Qosimo G30 – with

* Windows Media Centre (Consumer Range)

This multimedia and AV powerhouse from Toshiba brings alive the realism and clarity of high-definition TV content and movies in a portable form factor. It also incorporates two 5400 RPM serial ATA 100 GB hard drives for storage of TV programmes, music and other files as well as 1024 MB DDR2 memory. Also, it is equipped with Microsoft’s unique “Media-Centre” capabilities, empowering one with unique capabilities to even pause live TV and recording future programmes.

* Toshiba Satellite A100 & M100 Series (CR)

The new Satellite series features the latest Intel Core 2 Duo Processor, offering consumers affordable performance and multimedia in a mobile form factor. Every notebook in the Satellite A100 and M100 series comes standard with Clear SuperView technology for brilliant display, Built-in harman/kardon stereo speakers with TruSurround XT technology for a rich audio experience, Four USB 2.0 ports for connectivity of accessories and peripherals and Spill-resistant keyboard that increases system protection by providing users with ample time to save their work and shut down the system in the event of an accidental spill.

* Toshiba Tecra A8 (Business Range)

An ideal desktop replacement featuring a 15.4-inch widescreen display, Toshiba designed the Tecra A8 with high quality and reliable mobile technologies to move you beyond the desktop. Exclusive EasyGuard Technologies – HDD Protection, Shock Absorbing Design, and advanced encryption and security – better protect critical components and data from everyday hazards for more reliable mobile computing.

* Toshiba Portege M500 (BR)

An ultra-portable notebook of only 1.86 kg, the Portégé M500 is intended for the mobile professional. Cased in strong magnesium alloy, it incorporates combination of the Trusted Platform Module, Biometric Fingerprint reader and Toshiba Security Assist Console provides a vault-like security system that is extremely robust yet simple to manage.

Speaking about the exclusive range, Mr. Ivan Kam of Toshiba Singapore Pte Ltd., said, “Continuing with the promise of creating new technology benchmarks in mobile computing every quarter, Toshiba now presents our planet Earth- friendly range of notebooks. Going further in this direction, we are also presenting a revolutionary new range of MP3 players – a first-of-its-kind foray for Toshiba – with a clear messaging that whenever our customers want the best of mobile digital technology – Toshiba is with them.”

And taking the spirit further, Toshiba has also launched a new digital lifestyle accessory category – under the brand “Pala-Chan”. Positioned as the electronic “pet” as well as a fashionable accessory – the Toshiba Pala-Chan MP3 player takes the multimedia entertainment aspect of Toshiba beyond – and offers high storage capacities, capability to store music, pictures and other files and up to 15 hours of continuous playback time.

Toshiba in India

Established in 1875, Toshiba Corporation today has 315 major subsidiaries and affiliates worldwide. Toshiba Singapore Pte. Ltd. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Toshiba Corporation. But in India it has an exclusive distribution tie-up with HCL.

HCL has direct sales, channel sales and retail sales network across the country.

HCL has a support of 360+ customer service centres and four ISO 9001 certified state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities. “HCL is the exclusive and the only distributor of Toshiba in India. We represent Toshiba in the Indian market. We are very happy with our good old 9 years relationship,” informed Koushik Chatterjee, General Manager – Toshiba Mobile Computing, HCL Infosystems Ltd.

All the newly launched products are range of Green PCs that bring to light the concept of e-Waste (Electronic-Waste). Complimenting Toshiba on the launch of the exciting new range, Chatterjee said, “e-Waste is nothing but the components that go into the manufacturing of PCs like Cadmium etc., whose disposal becomes a problem once the lifecycle of the product is over. Toshiba, by virtue of being an environment-conscious company, has globally adopted a policy that all PCs and notebooks rolled out from 1st July, 2006 onwards will be certified Green and European RoHS compliant. We assure our complete support to Toshiba in setting new benchmarks of technological innovation and would optimally leverage the growing opportunities, the Indian mobile computing market has to offer.”

Some New Initiatives for the Indian Market

Currently, Toshiba has eight exclusive IT Retail shops, called “shopToshiba” and 118 iShops, i.e. multi-branded or non-exclusive shops. The company has plans to increase this number by the closing of the ongoing financial year 2006-07. Not only this, strengthening the commitment to their esteemed Indian patrons and taking them to a new level in digital lifestyle, beyond just mobile computing, Toshiba unveiled a new campaign – “beyond freedom”. A meaningful, logical follow-through statement from Toshiba’s previous campaign – “Choose Freedom”, the new campaign communicates the need to go beyond mobility and address each individual’s lifestyle. The ne w slogan represents company’s technological achievements and perpetual desire to scale new technological milestones. Also, it encompasses physical mobility with peace of mind, which Toshiba notebook PCs deliver through the value-added EasyGuard technology.

With the new campaign – the business website of Toshiba (http://pc.toshiba-asia.com) has also been redesigned. “Talk 2 Toshiba is an innovative web-based service which is managed through 4 call centres spread across the globe, namely Singapore, Italy, Turkey and Canada. For the Asian community, the languages spoken are Korean, Chinese and English,” informed K. Chatterjee of HCL. The URL for this service is http://pc.toshiba-asia.com/support/tal2toshiba. “A significant amount of money will be spent in the next six months,” claims Toshiba. “This will be in terms of hoardings in and around Mumbai and Gurgaon highways, danglers and banners across metros. Toshiba has come up with an innovative initiative of Toshiba Bus, which currently is busy creating awareness exercises among the Delhiites,” informed Ivan Kam.

In the end…

2006 is a landmark year for Toshiba because of its 130th anniversary. The company reconfirms its mission to contribute to the society through value creation and these new launches are a proof. Toshiba Group looks forward to a future of continued advances and to developing superb products, systems and services that bring surprises and sensation to the lives of the people everywhere and that contributes to a better world for all.