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Computer industry

Asia Pulse Executive Briefing: March 16, 1999

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Asia's technology sector continued to innovate and evolve in March 1999, with major players like Samsung Electronics, NEC, and HP Japan making significant announcements. The region's growing focus on e-commerce and internet development was underscored by the launch of various websites and services, including Sony's free e-mail magazine service and Asia Unit Trusts' website. Meanwhile, Malaysia emerged as a prime location for software development, thanks to its ideal manpower base and the Multimedia Super Corridor.

Key Takeaways:

  • Samsung Electronics has shipped its first 256-megabit SDRAM chip shipment, with plans to garner $200-$300 million this year by selling 2-3 million units worldwide.
  • NEC Corp. will start shipping samples of its 128-megabit Direct Rambus DRAMs in April, with plans to start mass production in July and target 3 million chips a month in output.
  • HP Japan has expanded its Vectra line of PCs, releasing 17 new models on April 1, including a space-saving design and quiet operation.
  • Microsoft Co. and Compaq Computer KK have launched a joint technical support service in Japan, providing 24-hour support for clients combining the Windows NT operating system with software from other companies.
  • Tokyo Telecommunication Network Co. (TTNet) will begin providing an Internet service on April 1, costing 1,750 yen a month for unlimited time, with discounts for subscribers who access the service via TTNet's telephone service.
  • Sony Corp. has launched a free e-mail magazine service, Pubzine, designed to facilitate the transmission and collection of information on the Internet.
  • Kawasaki Steel Corp. has tied up with United Microelectronics Corp. of Taiwan to develop advanced LSI technology, with a target of producing 0.18 micron LSI chips.
  • Internet commerce in Asia Pacific continues to grow, with forecasts indicating significant growth in investment and usage, driven by the increasing adoption of the Internet.
  • Malaysia has emerged as a prime location for software development, thanks to its ideal manpower base and the Multimedia Super Corridor.
  • NEC Corp. has launched the latest version of its middleware, WEBharmo/OLTP (Version 5.0), which enables users to download data from application software directly from the Internet.

Statistics:

  • 20,000 256-megabit SDRAM chips will be supplied to major PC makers like Intel, IBM, and Siemens by Samsung Electronics in the first shipment.
  • NEC plans to start mass production of 128M RDRAMs in July, with a target of producing 3 million chips a month.
  • The Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) has attracted 29 international companies, exceeding its target of 50 world-class companies by 2003.
  • 12 types of real estate information are provided by the Korea Real Estate Information Centre (KREIC) for foreigners, including Korean economic trends, systems, and taxation related to real estate.
  • The Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) has attracted 29 international companies, exceeding its target of 50 world-class companies by 2003.

Sources:

  • Asia Pulse (http://www.asiapulse.com)
  • Samsung Electronics (KSE: 05930)
  • NEC Corp. (TSE: 6701)
  • HP Japan Ltd.
  • Microsoft Co.
  • Compaq Computer KK
  • Tokyo Telecommunication Network Co. (TTNet)
  • Sony Corp. (TSE: 6758)
  • Kawasaki Steel Corp. (TSE: 5403)
  • United Microelectronics Corp. (Taiwan)
  • Asia Unit Trusts Bhd
  • Fujitsu Ltd. (TSE: 6702)
  • ARM of Cambridge, England
  • Burr-Brown Japan Ltd.
  • COMTEX (http://www.comtexnews.com)

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