Taiwanese Industrial Computer Manufacturers Focus on Portable Models

With industrial portable computers increasingly sought-after, Taiwanese industrial computer manufacturers are focusing on developing and launching such products to tap such demand  for stronger shipment growth this year.

Among them, FLYTECH Technology Co., Ltd., a major POS (point-to-service) system and device developer on the island, confirmed at its investor conference held earlier that it has been expanding workforce of software engineers to step up developing various POS devices powered by Android and other platforms and with competitive prices, primarily motivated by upbeat outlook in the segment.

To seize considerable business chances from rapid growth of the segment for industrial portable computers on burgeoning smart cities worldwide, ARBOR Technology Corp., noted for time-tested expertise in embedded and networking systems, has joined hands with MediaTek Inc., Taiwan's biggest IC chipset designer by size, since early this year.

The two parties have already set up a joint venture with paid-in capital of NT$100 million (US$3.33 million), 50% held by ARBOR. The joint venture, ARBOR noted, has started delivery, in small quantities, of industrial portable computers built with MediaTek's chips.

Coincidentally, CipherLab Co., Ltd., specializing in automatic identification and data collection (AIDC) systems and marketing its products under the CipherLab brand to over 70 countries, has reportedly partnered with Ennoconn Corporation, an industrial computer supplier invested by Hon Hai Group, world's largest EMS (electronics manufacturing service) provider by size, to jointly explore the segment of global heavyweight enterprises in need of long-term POS solutions with extensive flexibility. The partnership is fruitful as industry sources report that the two have garnered a big order from an online retail giant in the U.S.

Aiming to cash in on strong demand for handheld computers in the fast-growing segment for home security systems, Unitech Electronics Co., Ltd., a supplier of AIDC products including barcode scanners, enterprise mobile computers, and access control devices, marketed worldwide under its UNITECH brand, is exploring the Taiwanese and Chinese market by promoting its sub-brand, TASHI, which contributed considerably to its sales last year and is expected to provide stronger growth momentum this year.

WinMate Communication Inc., an embedded computer supplier gradually shifting focus to developing and marketing rugged computers and related systems in recent years, has gained considerable steam from handheld industrial computers by landing more new orders from Europe and the U.S. this year after winning a big one from Mercedes-Benz last year. The company's order visibility reportedly has extended into the next two years, hence strengthening its resolve to emphasize such products in the years to come.

Meanwhile, Posiflex Technology Inc., originally a PC maker and then a supplier of POS systems marketed under its POSIFLEX brand globally, has also benefited from the booming segment for handheld computers over the past few years. The firm's rosy performance is reflected in its dividends distributed last year, including NT$6.8 in cash and NT$0.05 in stock. (SC)