Panasonic and MSC sign pan-European distribution agreement in the field of wireless products

Sights set on smart metering, smart grid as well as medical and healthcare applications:
The sales partnership between Panasonic Industrial Europe (PIE) and MSC in the field of wireless products has already successfully proven its worth during the last two years in Germany. In order to utilize existing synergies in the areas of design-in and logistics more efficiently in future and also be able to support customers in other countries with the development of demanding wireless applications, both companies have now decided to extend the cooperation and have signed a pan-European distribution agreement.

The portfolio of wireless modules, which are developed by Panasonic Electronic Devices Europe (PEDEU) in Lueneburg (Germany) and marketed by PIE, ranges from short range ISM modules for the 400 to 900 MHz sector to wireless M-Bus modules and 802.15.1 conform Bluetooth modules through to ready-to-use 802.15.4 mesh network modules. Particular focus is given to metering applications and special Bluetooth profiles for medical technology applications. “Therefore, during the first two years of the pan-European cooperation, we will concentrate primarily on the sectors smart metering, smart grid as well as medical and healthcare applications. These sectors are ideally covered by Panasonic’s special Bluetooth modules and wireless M-Bus and 802.15.4 solutions respectively,” said Walter Puhl, Manager RF Group at MSC during the signing of the agreement. In January of this year, MSC’s RF Group significantly increased its personnel resources. “Furthermore, both companies have many years of experience in application development. This is an important prerequisite in order to be able to offer customers targeted and efficient support for the solution of their individual problems,” added Thomas Klein, CEO Distribution of the MSC-Gleichmann Group. According to Thomas Klein, in addition to offering technical workshops, MSC also plans to develop its own reference designs in order to demonstrate the possibilities and advantages of modern Bluetooth technology in medical and industrial applications to potential users.    
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Jan Scheller, Sales Manager Modules & Devices at Panasonic Industrial Europe, clearly views MSC’s design-in competence and the focus on important vertical target markets in perfect harmony with PIE’s strategic allignment: “Over the next few years, the compatible networking of devices from different manufacturers by means of intelligent Bluetooth wireless connections, particularly in medical technology and in healthcare and wellness sectors respectively, has a huge potential for growth. Bluetooth with Health Device Profile (HDP) and Bluetooth low energy modules will play a decisive role here. Because we are already able to offer the market one of the most innovative and broadest product portfolios in these segments, we see ourselves - together with technically skilled partners such as MSC - perfectly positioned for this interesting future market in Europe.”