Full Line of Toughbook Healthcare Solutions on Display; First Fully Rugged MCA at Over 30 Booths
HIMSS 2009 Annual Conference

SECAUCUS, N.J.- Panasonic Computer Solutions Company, manufacturer of durable, reliable Panasonic Toughbookr mobile computers, today announced the Panasonic Toughbook H1, the first fully-rugged mobile clinical assistant (MCA), will be one of its many mobile healthcare solutions highlighted at HIMSS 2009. The H1 will be featured in a HIMSS Pavilion Product Session, the focus of multiple in-booth presentations and highlighted at over 30 booths during the show. Since its launch in November of 2008, the Toughbook H1 has redefined performance and functionality for the MCA category with six hour battery life, dual hot-swappable batteries, standard daylight viewable screen and integrated GobiT technology - for WWAN communication - in a sealed and easily-sanitized package.

Multiple/ Solutions For A Complex Market

Panasonic will highlight its full line of rugged mobile solutions for the healthcare industry at HIMSS 2009. A variety of Toughbook mobile computers are used across the continuum of healthcare, from fully-rugged, mil-spec convertible tablet PCs (CF-19) traditionally used by first responders, to semi-rugged devices (CF-52) often used in computers on wheels (COWs) applications, to business-rugged devices (T8) broadly adopted in home care. The full line of Panasonic Toughbook mobile computers will be on display in the company's HIMSS booth (7416).

Presenting The Toughbook H1

In Panasonic's HIMSS booth (7416) the company will hold Toughbook H1 interactive presentations featuring hand's on product demos and educational sessions at the top of every hour. These presentations will focus on the features, benefits and differentiators of the Toughbook H1 and how the device can ease clinical loads, improve workflow, automate data entry/record keeping and enhance patient care by providing bed-side access to patient records. Panasonic will also hold in-booth presentations at the bottom of the hour focusing on topics of interest to healthcare IT professionals, including financing, sanitization, asset tracking and more.

Also in the Panasonic booth - the largest HIMSS booth the company has had to date - the company will highlight multiple software applications running on the Toughbookr H1, including FiatLux Visualize, Ekahau RTLS, iMedConsent from DialogMedical and Cisco Unified Communications (VOIP).

Outside the Panasonic booth, the company will introduce the Toughbook H1 to the wider HIMSS audience by showcasing the fully-rugged MCA during a HIMSS Pavilion Product Session on Sunday, April 5 from 4:15 PM - 5:00 PM (booth 1280). The presentation will provide insight into the development of the MCA category and showcase the Toughbook H1, with a more detailed look at features, benefits and differentiators then will be found in the presentations done in Panasonic's booth.

"Since we announced the Toughbook H1 late last year there has been a tremendous industry excitement over our solution," said Greg Davidson, healthcare senior business development manager, Panasonic Computer Solutions Company. "We are pleased to partner with a comprehensive ecosystem of leading healthcare hardware/software solution and channel providers, many of whom will be featuring our Toughbook H1 MCA device in their HIMSS booth."

                   

About the Toughbook H1

The Toughbookr H1 was developed based on Panasonic's innovative engineering, resulting from its own proprietary global healthcare industry research and Intel's mobile clinical assistant (MCA) reference design. The device improves workflow and eases clinical loads for doctors and nurses, helping healthcare organizations maximize efficiency and reduce errors.

With integrated RFID reader, 2.0 megapixel auto-focus camera with dual LED lights, a barcode reader, contactless smart card reader and fingerprint readers, the new Toughbook H1 is a secure and intuitive platform for barcode medication administration (BCMA), vitals capture and electronic medical records (EMR) capture and review.

The H1 offers a category-leading six hours of battery life, complemented by dual hot-swappable batteries, allowing non-stop computing while on the move. This virtually eliminates down time, maximizing return on investment.

The Toughbookr H1 has been designed for easy disinfection, reducing the risk of germs being spread from patient to patient.

To meet the needs for mobility in both facilities and in-home health environments, the H1 offers a range of embedded wireless options including 802.11a/b/g/draft-n and Bluetoothr 2.0. The device can also ship with Qualcomm's new GobiT technology, simplifying complex multi-carrier wireless deployments for IT departments. The H1 also comes with optional, next generation GPS technology allowing for location awareness with improved accuracy, faster satellite acquisition time and lower power consumption.

Panasonic Toughbookr H1: Select Features and Specifications

    * Genuine Windows Vistar Business with Service Pack 1 (with Windows XP Tablet downgrade option)
    * Intelr AtomT processor (1.86GHz) Z540 with 533MHz FSB, 512KB L2 cache
    * 1GB standard RAM configuration
    * 80 GB 1.8-inch shock mounted hard drive
    * 10.4" XGA sunlight viewable 500 NIT Dual Touch LCD screen (1024 x 768 resolution)
    * Anti-reflective screen treatment
    * Integrated 2.0 megapixel auto-focus camera with dual LED lights
    * Fingerprint scanner
    * Contactless smartcard reader
    * RFID reader
    * Fully rugged
          o MIL-STD-810F and IP54 compliant
          o 3 foot drop approved
          o Magnesium alloy chassis
          o Sealed all-weather design
          o Rain-, spill-, dust- and vibration-resistant
    * Intelr WiFi Link 5100 802.11a/b/g/draft-n
    * Bluetoothr v2.0 + EDR
    * Integrated docking connector
    * Integrated options:
          o Optional integrated WWAN / GobiT-enabled mobile broadband (EV-DO and HSPA)
          o Global position system (GPS) receiver
          o 2D barcode reader (also reads 1D barcodes)
    * 6 hour battery life
    * Hot-swappable batteries
    * 3.4 lbs (with batteries)
    * 10.4" (W) x 10.6" (H) x 1.3" - 2.3" (D)

Pricing and Availability

The Panasonic Toughbook H1 is available worldwide. In the United States, the base H1 model has an estimated street price of $2,999 from authorized Panasonic resellers and distributors. The device is backed with a standard 3-year warranty.

About Panasonic Computer Solutions Company

Panasonic Computer Solutions Company empowers the mobile workforce. The company is a unit of Panasonic Corporation of North America, which is the principal North American subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation (NYSE: PC). Panasonic has delivered reliable, durable mobile solutions through its Toughbookr line of notebook computers for fifteen years and has expanded the boundaries of wireless communications technology through a broad portfolio of products, ranging from fully rugged, industrial strength notebook computers and tablet PCs to business-rugged thin-and-light and ultraportable notebooks. A core manufacturer, Panasonic controls the entire process of design, manufacture, quality assurance, service and support. As a result, Panasonic Toughbooks are known for having the lowest failure rates in the industry. Government, industrial, and commercial users-from Fortune 1,000 companies to small businesses-rely on solutions from Panasonic, wherever their work takes them.

All brand and company/product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of the respective companies. All specifications are subject to change without notice. Information on Panasonic's full line of notebook PCs for the mobile professional can be obtained by calling 800-662-3537 or at http://www.panasonic.com/toughbook.