WHOLESALE COMPUTER PARTS DISTRIBUTORS

Thailand Hard Disk Drive Production Down for 56 Days Say Forecasts

Birmingham (PRWEB UK) 31 October 2011

As Thailand takes stock of the worst flooding on record due to the confluence of high tides over the weekend, the supply of Hard Disk Drives (HDD) is forecast to hit rock bottom as the area producing around 70% of the world’s demand is set to be out of action for 56 days. And the global impact is forecast to be massive shortages of this vital product in the first quarter of 2012 as the disaster hits the supply chain harder than the Japan Tsunami, says Iain Bowles from http://www.probrand.co.uk

“At the start of the floods in Bangkok, the IT industry had four weeks or 28 days of finished disk drive stock in the supply chain. If the rains stop today it will be a minimum of 56 days before production can re-start. Thai authorities have said it will take two to four weeks to pump out flooded areas and that is even before any actual clean up can start,” he says.

“In comparison, when the Japan Tsunami struck, component stock in the supply chain sat at over 80 days, enabling recovery time before stock would become depleted. Stock levels in the supply chain act as a cushion for supply continuity but in this case, the HDD stock ‘buffer’ of finished products is simply too small given most plants will remain under dirty water for some time yet.

“Assuming the floods sub-side as forecast, the IT industry and IT buyers will feel the impact of this event during the first quarter of 2012 and some of the recovery process will still be influencing the supply chain into the later part of the second quarter.

“Global demand for HDDs continues to grow and last quarter hit 177M units, which equates to 59M units per month, and is forecast to hit 180M next quarter. However, the impact of the floods is expected to cause a 20M unit shortfall over demand per month. As a direct result prices could rise by up to 25% for hard disks and this will impact finished products down the line as well.”

Manufacturer status is changing by the hour but disruption is being seen at the key HDD producers, which include Western Digital, Seagate, Hitachi Global Storage Technologies, Toshiba/Fujitsu and Samsung Electronics. Apple, Sony and Toshiba have all confirmed they believe HDD shortages will prevail.

Bowles concludes: “Thailand does not have the same culture or infrastructure as Japan, so recovery may be slower than post-Tsunami.

“For manufacturers, I suspect we will see attempts to move production to other geographies such as Malaysia. However, much of the specialist machinery required to switch production sites is under water and cannot be accessed via flooded roads. This truly is another very testing time for the global ICT supply chain and business needs to be prepared for HDD shortages.”

Iain Bowles is available for interview and can offer more detail around the supply chain and production status.

Iain Bowles has been in the IT industry for several decades and has visited the main ICT manufacturing geographies many times in a previous role as sales & marketing director at Fujitsu. For example, he has visited Japan’s Tsunami effected prefecture over 80 times. He is well respected throughout private and senior government circles for his deep understanding of the IT supply chain and cost structures. He is available for interview.

About Probrand

Established in 1992, Probrand is a major supplier of top branded computer products. It provides ICT through traditional and online channels (http://www.theITIndex.co.uk). Located in the heart of Birmingham, and employing more than 160 people, Probrand is a multi-million pound corporation servicing a wide range of business and public sector customers throughout the UK.

Where are HDDs used

HDDs are used as secondary storage in PCs, laptops, games consoles and other entertainment technologies. They play a vital role in supporting data backups, business continuity and functionality. A PC or laptop without storage is little more than an internet browsing tool.

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©Copyright 1997-

, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

Technorati Tags: Days, Disk, Down, drive, Forecasts, hard, Production, Thailand

The first part of my series on the gaming PC I’m building. Parts (thus far): Coolermaster HAF 932 Blue Edition case, Gigabyte HD 6850 graphics card, and Hitachi Travelstar 500gb 2.5in HDD. If you like my stuff, please ratecommentsub, because I need to stroke my ego some more. Woo! -Z

Technorati Tags: Case, Gaming, GRAFIX, part

Global Fuses and Circuit Breakers Market to Reach US$ 14.2 Billion by 2017, According to New Report by Global Industry Analysts, Inc.

San Jose, California (PRWEB) November 08, 2011

Follow us on LinkedIn – A part of the power protection devices industry, fuses and circuit breakers are critical components in distribution grids designed and developed to offer protection against unexpected power outages resulting from overload, short circuits/fault currents, and/or ground fault. Fuses and circuit breakers are indispensable not only in transmission and distribution of electric power, but virtually every product that utilizes electrical energy such as automobiles, consumer electronics, computers, telecommunication /data communication circuits, handheld devices, and industrial equipment and machinery. These devices are sophisticated in their internal construction and make use of electrical, magnetic, mechanical, chemical and thermal processes to achieve the desired characteristics. With increased deployment of electrical and electronic equipments, the demand for power protection devices including circuit breakers and fuses gained momentum over the last decade. And with issues relating to stable power supply still continuing to irk industries/businesses worldwide, demand is forecast to continue its steady growth into the future. Other factors poised to prop up growth in the market include the buoyant telecommunications industry worldwide, continued expansion in the use of personal computers and other technologically advanced electronic devices, and the relatively higher level of consumer awareness in developed markets, among others.

The financial crisis led world economic recession during the period 2007-2009, left the fuses and circuit breakers market hurting. Fall in the business confidence index, bleeding corporate balance sheets, enterprise skepticism over infrastructure investments, tight liquidity/financial constraints, lack of credit availability, high borrowing rates and capital shortages to fund new investments in telecommunications, IT infrastructure, plants and equipment, together shaved off approximately US$ 1.1 billion in market value between the period 2007 and 2009. Diminished manufacturing and commercial activity and the resulting declines in manufacturing output and industrial production reduced demand for electrical machinery, resulting in weakening demand for fuses and circuit breakers.

The construction end-use sector recorded the steepest fall in demand for fuses and circuit breakers. Cancellation, postponement, and general weakness in new office, commercial and residential building projects as a result of lack of credit and rising vacancy rates, and sharp falls in the number of applications for new building permits, and cost cutting among commercial establishments, and companies, played instrumental roles in negatively impacting demand. Plant closures, capacity idling, scaling back of operating capacity reduced opportunities for fuses and circuit breakers in automotive/transportation end-use sector, where they are used widely in conjunction with numerous high current automotive electronic components/devices/circuits, such as, engine, power windows, climate control systems, sunroofs, heater circuits, power door locks, air conditioning, among others. In the industrial end-use sector, sharp declines in manufacturing activity and lower cash inflows, reduced the focus, although temporarily, on industrial process automation which typically generates demand for power protection devices. The unfavorable market climate trickled down to fuses and circuit breakers, which are indispensable electrical components used in all electronic industrial machinery/equipment. Demand for fuses and circuit breakers in the energy related application market also declined in line with the deterioration in the health of the energy generation sector. Slowdown in electricity demand elicited erosions in sales of switchgears and components, such as, fuses and circuit breakers.

Looking beyond the recent economic turbulence, there is still a lot of untapped potential in the fuses and circuit breakers market, especially MCCB and high power fuses power segments. Key drivers for medium- and high-voltage fuses and circuit breakers include the rising energy consumption, rapid build-out of renewable energy, and the need to upgrade/retrofit grid assets in both developed and developing regions. Post recession, growth is already recovering given that the goal towards establishing a comprehensive power infrastructure has and will continue to remain vital to most governments across the globe. The evolution of smart grids and the resulting focus on reducing energy losses and enhancing efficiency will offer ample opportunities for growth of fuses and circuit breakers in the upcoming years. Besides that demand from commercial and industrial buildings, such as office, hotels, hospitals, shopping malls, condominiums; the increasing consumption of electricity; and resurgence in business climate will aid growth of low voltage fuses and circuit breakers.

As stated by the new market research report, the US and Asia-Pacific account for a major share of the global Fuses and Circuit Breakers market. While growth in the developed markets begin to tame down, developing markets will drive future growth guided by rapid industrialization, expansion of manufacturing, industrial and transportation industry, and continuous shifting of productions bases to low cost developing countries. By segment, Circuit Breakers is the largest contributor to global market revenues. Global market revenues for Fuses are expected to surge at a CAGR of 5.9% over the analysis period. Demand for medium- and high-voltage power fuses and fuse links in the post recession period will surge at the faster rate in line with rebound in construction activity in non-residential and electric power markets. High-power fuses, which extensively depend on the electric utilities market, will experience rapid gains as a result of massive subsidies being doled out to power utilities. Renewable energy sector will also throw up opportunities supported by rising adoption of high-power fuses to protect the step-up transformers in wind farm projects.

Major players in the global marketplace include ABB Group, Bel Fuse Inc, Bourns Inc, Carling Technologies Inc, Cooper Industries Ltd, E-T-A ElektroTechnische Apparate GmbH, Eaton Corporation, Fuji Electric Co Ltd, General Electric Company, Hitachi Ltd, Hubbell Power Systems Inc, Littelfuse Inc, Mersen, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, Powell Industries Inc, Schneider Electric SA, Sensata Technologies Inc, Siemens AG, SPD Electrical Systems Inc, Tyco Electronics Corporation, among others.

The research report titled “Fuses and Circuit Breakers: A Global Strategic Business Report” announced by Global Industry Analysts, Inc., provides a comprehensive review of market trends, issues, drivers, company profiles, mergers, acquisitions and other strategic industry activities. The report provides market estimates and projections (US$ Millions) for major geographic markets including the US, Canada, Japan, Europe, Asia–Pacific (excluding Japan), Middle East and Latin America. Key segments analyzed include Fuses, and Circuit Breakers.

For more details about this comprehensive market research report, please visit –

http://www.strategyr.com/Fuses_and_Circuit_Breakers_Market_Report.asp

About Global Industry Analysts, Inc.

Global Industry Analysts, Inc., (GIA) is a leading publisher of off-the-shelf market research. Founded in 1987, the company currently employs over 800 people worldwide. Annually, GIA publishes more than 1300 full-scale research reports and analyzes 40,000+ market and technology trends while monitoring more than 126,000 Companies worldwide. Serving over 9500 clients in 27 countries, GIA is recognized today, as one of the world’s largest and reputed market research firms.

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Global Industry Analysts, Inc.

Telephone: 408-528-9966

Fax: 408-528-9977

Email: press(at)StrategyR(dot)com

Web Site: http://www.StrategyR.com/

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©Copyright 1997-

, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

Technorati Tags: 2017, According, Analysts, Billion, Breakers, Circuit, Fuses, Global, Inc., Industry, Market, Reach, Report, US$14.2

Hitachi & EnovateIT Provide Solutions for Rehab Center

Brisbane, CA (PRWEB) August 29, 2006 –-

In a state-of-the-art installation that demonstrates the ability of Hitachi display products to meet the various needs within a single facility, Louisville, KY’s Jewish Hospital & St. Mary’s HealthCare has recently implemented a high-end video solution for its newly constructed Frazier Rehab Institute. The hospital utilizes an assortment of Hitachi products, including LCD projectors, plasma displays and LCD monitors.

Known for its world-class care in comprehensive acute rehab, the Frazier Rehab Institute includes inpatient and outpatient facilities and a 135-bed hospital on the Jewish Hospital Medical Campus. The Louisville location is part of a larger network that includes a facility at Southern Indiana Rehab Hospital and 21 outpatient rehab sites throughout Kentucky and southern Indiana. As a healthcare facility offering a variety of services, Jewish Hospital turned to Troy, MI-based EnovateIT, a nationally recognized provider of wireless point-of-care hardware solutions, to supply Hitachi equipment that would meet this array of needs.

“As we built the new facility, we wanted to utilize Hitachi’s R&D knowledge base to help implement cutting-edge technology,” said Scott Alderman, assistant director, information technology, Jewish Hospital & St. Mary’s HealthCare, Inc. “Our priority is to deliver not just rehab care, but a place where patients feel comfortable.”

In keeping with its tradition of providing innovative treatment programs for a variety of individuals with disabilities, Frazier Rehab Institute makes no compromises when it comes to technology. The facility is outfitted with a building-wide wireless system with access points every 30 feet.

The patient rooms at Frazier are outfitted with Hitachi CMP420V1 42″ plasma monitors, which allow clinicians to access and display medical data to share with the patients. Additionally, a VGA port is located bedside in each room so the patient or guest can access and share information as well. The rooms are also equipped with Hitachi 26HDSLS1 LCD monitors for television viewing. Over 150 42″ and 26″ plasma televisions have been interfaced to the pillow speakers/nurse call systems next to the patients’ bedside. The television to pillow speaker interface for large plasma televisions was the first of its kind tuner control product developed by EnovateIT.

“EnovateIT’s development of the large screen plasma television interface was an exciting challenge to provide Jewish Hospital and its patients the ultimate in patient entertainment technology” said Fred Calero, Vice President and co-founder of EnovateIT LLC.

Frazier contains several multifunction rooms that serve as a relaxation area for patients, and is often utilized as a lounge, theater, meeting room or cafeteria. In these locations, Hitachi CP-X1200 LCD projectors have been installed for viewing movies and presentations. “We have been extremely impressed with the CP-X1200 projectors,” Mr. Alderman noted. “They have a lot of functionality built-into them but are extremely easy to use, so virtually anyone in the building can operate them if they have to.”

Additionally, Hitachi 55HDM71 plasma displays are located in the staff lounges and conference rooms. “We use these rooms as not only lounges but for training purposes,” Mr. Alderman said. “The plasmas are crystal clear and are used for presentations to the Frazier staff or family members.”

All Hitachi products were sold as part of the company’s OneVision sales and marketing program. This unprecedented cooperative marketing effort makes it possible for any Hitachi business unit dealer to have access to Hitachi products from other Hitachi business units – and profit from the experience. What’s more, Hitachi’s OneVision Program is designed to maximize the sales results for participating dealers while minimizing the hassles. Consultants will also enjoy the ease of obtaining the required information to specify Hitachi products from just one source.

About EnovateIT, LLC

About EnovateIT, LLC – Headquartered in Troy, Michigan, EnovateIT is a leading provider of mobile wireless solutions and a premier global systems integrator for healthcare. With more than 40,000 installations in over 1,100 healthcare facilities, EnovateIT provides secure cost effective mobile solutions for medication delivery systems, computerized physician order entry, clinical documentation, and electronic medical records systems. EnovateIT not only offers the products to facilitate wireless information solutions, but also the services and support to make it a reality. Visit EnovateIT at http://www.enovateit.com or call 248-655-0548.

About Hitachi America, Ltd.

Hitachi has a unique position in the marketplace by manufacturing and developing its own core technologies to provide consumers and businesses with optimal product performance in each of Hitachi’s product categories. For consumer products, please visit http://www.hitachi.us/tv.     For business products, please visit http://www.hitachi.us/digitalmedia. For more information about electronic whiteboards and Starboard software, please visit Hitachi Software at http://www.hitachi-soft.com. Hitachi brand business products are connected through Hitachi’s OneVision program, which makes it possible for any Hitachi business unit dealer to sell Hitachi products from other Hitachi business units.

Hitachi America, Ltd., a subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd., markets and manufactures a broad range of electronics, computer systems and products, and consumer electronics, and provides industrial equipment and services throughout North America. For more information,visit http://www.hitachi.us.

Hitachi, Ltd., headquartered in Tokyo, is a leading global electronics company with approximately 356,000 employees worldwide. Fiscal 2005 (ended March 31, 2006) consolidated sales totaled 9,464 billion yen ($ 80.9 billion). The company offers a wide range of systems, products and services in market sectors including information systems, electronic devices, power and industrial systems, consumer products, materials and financial services. For more information, on Hitachi, please visit the company’s website at http://www.hitachi.com.

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Attachments

©Copyright 1997-

, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

Technorati Tags: Center, EnovateIT, Hitachi, Provide, Rehab, Solutions