New Polycom’s Video-Enabled Carts For Education Sectors

 Polycom, Inc. has announced the availability of the Polycom RealPresence Utility Cart 500 and the Polycom RealPresence EduCart 500 in India – two new video-enabled solutions, designed specifically for use in the enterprise and education sectors.

 These packaged solutions from Polycom are standalone units, which allow users to easily bring High Definition room-based video conferencing and content sharing to a variety of locations beyond a dedicated conference room. The units have been designed to provide an affordable, mobile solution for customers looking to implement video collaboration in any available space of their choice across their business or education environment. In addition, the carts can be customised with peripherals such as HD document cameras or projectors, for use in detailed inspections and presentations. 

 “More organisations and industries now demand to use video collaboration outside the conference room, and have it embedded into their operational and business processes,” said Tony Sandberg, Director, Industry Solutions and Market Development, Polycom Asia Pacific. “Technology solutions such as the Polycom Utility Cart 500 and EduCart 500, enable people to visually interact from a variety of locations, be it a factory floor, a project site, or a lecture theatre.”

 RealPresence Utility Cart 500

The RealPresence Utility Cart 500 provides a high-quality video collaboration solution, featuring Polycom’s RealPresence Group 500 series video system and Polycom EagleEye IV cameras. For applications such as detailed product inspections, and remote expert consultations, the solution provides a breakthrough user experience, allowing the video and audio system to be easily moved from location to location. This flexibility allows for video collaboration solution to be enabled across several industries and business functions – from quality inspections in manufacturing and stock control in retail, to site and equipment inspections in oil and gas and construction. 

 Among the cart’s standard features are a single 27-inch or dual 22-inch 1080p full HD LED backlit monitors, mounting points for wireless access, and an access panel that includes two USB ports, HDMI, VGA and audio from codec, for multiple peripheral connectivity. The battery module gives up to five hours of operation, and is available in 110 or 230 volt AC versions. For easy maneuverability and durability, the Utility Cart 500 also comes fitted with sturdy stainless steel handles, and five casters for enhanced stability.

 “The Utility Cart can, for example, enable a manufacturing floor technician to move HD video to a specific area in the plant, and connect an external camera to view and share details or components not easily accessible to external parties. This capability can allow remote experts to overcome the obstacle of distance and enhances productivity and drives efficiency in the manufacturing process, with impact to the bottom line,” said Sandberg. 

RealPresence EduCart 500
Designed specifically for classrooms and training departments, the RealPresence EduCart 500 is a videoconferencing solution for use in education environments. This includes distance learning, teacher conferences, virtual field trips, and enhanced individual and group learning with remote experts. 

 The cart features adjustable screen height and high-powered amplified speakers, allowing clear audio in large classrooms or lecture theatres, and provides the flexibility to easily move the unit to different classrooms or campus locations. The electronics and power for the unit are integrated behind a protective metal shield to avoid tampering. The cart is also safely-designed to be a self-contained unit, avoiding numerous wires around a classroom, and equipped with a dual pole to ensure maximum stability. 

 “The RealPresence EduCart 500 makes it easier than ever to enrich lessons and increase student engagement with the ability to connect to other classrooms, peers, or experts in other locations,” said Sandberg. “Video collaboration in the education space can take students beyond their classrooms, to experience everything from virtual field trips to sharing project work with schools in other parts of India or abroad. Collaboration technology such as the EduCart addresses a great need in providing more learning opportunities, and making education and resources more accessible to students, particularly across vast distances in countries such as India.” 

Lenovo Rejigs National Consumer Distribution Structure

 Lenovo, one of India’s leading PC players, today announced the restructuring of its national distribution system (Tier 1 distributors) across India. The new structure will align each of the T1 distributors with Lenovo’s four distinct verticals: Lenovo Exclusive Stores (LES), Multi-brand stores, Regional Distributors and Large Format Retail. 

 Lenovo historically had taken the lead a few years back in having a 1:1 aligned model of billing between RDs and T1 partners. This new structure will take this aligned model to its next level for more focus on each vertical.

 Shailendra Katyal, Director, Home and Small Business (HSB), Lenovo India, said, “The new T1 structure is a significant step towards developing a best-in-class partner system for Lenovo in India. We are confident that this new distribution structure will further strengthen our engagement with our T2 business partners. Each of these verticals has distinct product and sales patterns and aligning our national distributors to service verticals in a focussed way will ensure better end-to-end serviceability for our channel partners”

The new structure has been designed to create an ecosystem, where Lenovo and the T1 partners will address the distinctive needs of the different verticals in a focused manner. This transition will give a dedicated channel base to the T1 partners where they can invest and value-add for growth on these accounts. It allows T1s to move beyond credit and fulfilment to having a more growth oriented approach by having better end-to-end inventory alignment and product evangelism with T2 partners.

  Along with this restructuring, Lenovo also announced some other recent initiatives viz

 *  Creation of a new class of RDs which would be fulfilled directly by Lenovo.

* A strategic partnership with HCL Infosystems Ltd. to further strengthen its consumer retail business by leveraging over 100 HCL exclusive store-fronts
* Appointment of RX (put full name) as additional T1 for select markets for distribution of S&P products

 Katyal added “We are bullish about the near to medium term growth prospects in the consumer business and are taking these structural measures to enhance our reach and servicing of channel in India”.

Microsoft & Amazon India In Exclusive Retail Partnership

Microsoft today announced that the entire range of its Interactive Entertainment Business (IEB) portfolio would be available in India exclusively on Amazon.in beginning September 1, 2014. This will include Xbox One, Xbox 360, Kinect, Xbox Live, Xbox Accessories and all Microsoft-published Xbox game titles. Amazon.in also announced exclusive pre-orders for Xbox One beginning today.

Commenting on the same, Chakrapani Gollapali, Country General Manager - Consumer Channels Group, Microsoft Corporation India Pvt. Ltd. said, “As a core pillar of our consumer strategy in India, we see tremendous opportunity in delivering our products and services to the ever-expanding natively digital audience. We believe this collaboration with Amazon gives us the platform to build scale at an unprecedented level for the gaming and entertainment category in India. We also see opportunities to nurture and build unique experiences in partnership with local content companies that have come together to give fans in India the best gaming and entertainment experience ever. This is the first time that we will be focusing on retailing our products through an ‘online only’ channel and we look forward to bringing the world’s most-loved gaming portfolio to Indian consumers through India’s largest and fastest growing online store Amazon.in”

“We are very excited to be the partner of choice for Microsoft’s entire Interactive Entertainment Business portfolio in India. We are the fastest growing eCommerce platform in the country today and this partnership is a validation of the faith customers and sellers place on our brand. This partnership gives us the opportunity to forge deeper engagement with gaming enthusiasts across the country and aligns with our vision of offering customers in India the widest selection at low prices, fast and reliable delivery and a trustworthy shopping experience,” said Mr. Samir Kumar, Director - Category Management, Amazon India. 

With this announcement, Amazon.in has also launched the pre-orders for Xbox One from today (August 6^th) that includes an exciting bundle. Consumers pre-ordering the Xbox One will get the blockbuster game FIFA 15 for free. The Kinect bundle will include an additional free game of Dance Central Spotlight.  In addition, the first 1000 customers will also get special offers worth Rs. 10,000 which include Rs. 3000 off on purchase of a second Xbox One controller, Amazon.in Gift Cards worth Rs. 1500, 2 free Blu-ray movies worth Rs. 2500 (The Amazing Spiderman 2 and Captain America: The Winter Soldier), Rs. 2000 off on a selected range of speakers and Rs. 1000 off on a selected range of backpacks.

As announced previously the Xbox One will be available in India beginning September 23^rd, 2014 priced at INR 39,990 and Xbox One with Kinect will be available at INR 45,990. The Kinect version will offer a number of games and entertainment experiences exclusive to Xbox including gesture controls, biometric sign-in, Skype video calls and more.

 According to Anshu Mor, Director – Interactive Entertainment Business, Microsoft India, “This is a historic moment for Xbox in India. This unique partnership and the launch of Xbox One will bring a colossal line-up of exclusive blockbusters, the best multi-player experience and amazing entertainment experiences like Game DVR, Twitch, Live TV Pass Thru, Snap on TV, Skype, Voice commands through Kinect and Internet Explorer. We are also committed to bring local movies, music and on-demand TV as part of our entertainment portfolio for the Xbox Live service. 

He further added “We will continue to support sales of Xbox 360 portfolio till 30th of August across our existing retail channels, post which the portfolio will become exclusive to Amazon.in. We also believe that Amazon India would offer consumers a great purchase experience and full assurance of getting a genuine console with warranty support in India.” 

Panasonic Brings New Electronic Whiteboards To India

Panasonic recently introduced its new range of electronic whiteboards, the UB-5835 and UB-5335 which come equipped with advanced customized features and ease of operation. These products make meetings interesting and save the time consumed in taking notes. Over time Panaboards are being widely used for better understanding and efficiency. In line with this, Panasonic introduced these two models which are priced at Rs.95, 000 (UB-5835) and Rs. 81,700 (UB-5335) respectively.

The new models, UB-5835 and UB-5335 consist of 68.3 inch and 54 inch two wide screens each, which provide endless space for writing. They have advanced Panaboard Overlay software that allows the operator to utilize a projector to display information from a PC onto the whiteboard, while enabling to write notes on the board. The electronic whiteboards come with a built-in printer which makes office meetings and discussions more efficient by eliminating the time spent on handwriting notes.

The data can be scanned and stored into a USB flash memory, in PDF or TIFF format. This provides carry-anywhere convenience and enables easy data use using a variety of office equipment. The use of plain paper makes it easy to file it with other documents. The large control panel of the UB-5835 and UB-5335 is designed for maximum ease of use. The power key is located on the control panel, making all operations possible right from the panel.

The Panaboard allows a new screen to be used without erasing the information on the previous screen. Simply by pressing a button to scroll, even with a wall-mounted board. The low profile whiteboard body saves space, and the control panel is easy to use. Other than this, the Panasonic electronic whiteboards are designed to consume as little energy as possible, even when the unit is in standby mode.

Delivering on its promise of providing innovative products, Panasonic will continue to launch such products in the Indian market and meet the expectations of their consumers.

Arati Naik Appointed New COO At Smartlink Networking

Smartlink today announced the appointment of Ms. Arati Naik as the company’s Chief Operating Officer. Arati started her career at Smartlink as a Project Consultant wherein she imbibed key elements of product development, people management, developing key strategies for product launches and innovation. The expertise gathered catapulted her to the role of the Chief Marketing Officer. This role was her breakthrough opportunity where she demonstrated her potential and achievements in converting businesses and making new alliances at a much younger age.

“I am excited and honored to lead Smartlink. Throughout my career I have had enormous respect for the people of Smartlink and what they have achieved. No-one is blind to the challenges that confront the IT sector and this company, but the underlying strengths of Smartlink in delivering on its strategy are clear” said Arati. “Smartlink will continue to bring innovation at their consumer’s convenience over the longer term and I’m looking forward to playing my part in shaping that future” she further added.

“Networking is our core strength as we are the first networking company in India. As a COO, I want to reinvent networking and build on this strength of ours where we come out as a much stronger, focused and innovative company. We at Smartlink look at re-launching the brand with a fresh focus on developing the channels, partners and system integrators. We want to give better access, better service and better products to our consumers.”

The company believes that this is a key appointment at an important time for Smartlink and that Arati’s leadership qualities combined with her strategic thinking and relevant experience make her the right person to drive the company to success over the coming years. Arati’s approach and her track record of delivering results in innovation-driven businesses will be valued by shareholders and employees alike.

“We have the best product engineering and product management team. Everything at Smartlink will now be process driven. The world of technology is on the verge of a change that we believe will be as profound as the creation of the internet”. With our three strong businesses –Digisol, Digilite and Digicare in Networks, Technologies and Services space, we are well placed to meet our goal to be a leader in the technologies where everybody and everything is connected.” Arati concludes, “Smartlink has adopted a lot of different ways to motivate our team as a company can only be successful where its employees are happy. The two decades of experience, our channel loyalty will count in driving our success. “