SECAUCUS, NJ: February 4, 2010 — Panasonic System Networks Company of America today announced plans to substantially increase its footprint in the burgeoning market for A4 multi-function products. The A4 market has undergone rapid growth and is emerging as the de facto standard in the marketplace. As a consequence the A3 market has been fading and will no longer be a focus for Panasonic going forward. Based on internal Panasonic research the A4 market is projected to be dominant by 2012 and account for the majority of imaging devices sold.
According to Product Specialist for MFP/Fax Joseph Odore, the product mix realignment is based on Panasonic's long-standing commitment to proactively fulfilling channel partner and end user requirements by responding to changes in market dynamics in a timely and decisive manner.
"All the relevant indices -- leased machine levels, printed page volume, and overall sales of new machines -- make it clear that A3 MFPs are already, or soon will be, a legacy document format and that A4 MFPs are swiftly becoming the lineup that will best serve our customers’ needs for the beginning of this decade and the foreseeable future,” Odore said.
As a leading manufacturer of document imaging products, Panasonic has an unparalleled ability to turn on a dime in response to customer demands. Designing, engineering and building its own machines and most of the internal components in Panasonic-owned research centers and factories makes adjusting supply-side capabilities to reflect demand-side changes significantly easier for Panasonic than for competitors dependent on 'white box' vendors for their products.
A document-products industry leader for more than four decades, Panasonic also announced that it will continue production of current A3 MFP models through Q1 of 2011 and parts and consumables for those products through Q1 of 2018, respectively to insure customer support as the A4 market rises to dominance. In addition technical and hardware support will be provided through at least Q1 of 2018.
Production, distribution, and future expansion of Panasonic’s award-winning line of best-in-class front office and enterprise scanners, A4 multifunction printers, business fax machines, and advanced interactive whiteboards will be unaffected by the shift in MFP marketing focus. Panasonic reseller and customer support will also be unaffected by the change in MFP business strategy.
"Basically, Panasonic will concentrate our R&D on the future of the MFP market, which is the A4," Odore added. "Since Panasonic's current A3 MFPs are high-performance, mature products with an expansive list of cutting-edge features and a legendary reputation for ease of maintenance and durability, we decided the future growth of our MFP line and its dealers would be best served by tightly focusing on the A4 class devices."
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About Panasonic System Networks Company of America
Based in Secaucus, NJ, Panasonic System Networks Company of America is a unit of Panasonic Corporation of North America, the principal North American subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation (NYSE: PC) and the hub of Panasonic's U.S. branding, marketing, sales, service and R&D operations. Panasonic is the global leader in corded PBX/IP PBX telephony systems and offers a complete suite of office productivity solutions and home communication and networking solutions, including cordless phones, network cameras, electronic whiteboards and photo and multi-function printers that provide convenience, style and ease-of-use for consumer and business applications. Information about Panasonic and its products is available at www.panasonic.com. Additional company information for journalists is available at www.panasonic.com/pressroom.
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