Panasonic ISV Summit: A Document Imaging Industry Leadership Event; Panasonic Demonstrates Its Commitment to Industry Leadership and Its Software Associates with Its Recently Concluded Independent Software Vendor Summit.

SECAUCUS, N.J. -- Executives from Panasonic's leading associates in the document management software industry were invited to an executive retreat at the Westin Kierland Hotel & Conference center in Phoenix, AZ. Following on the heels of the successful launch of Panasonic's highly acclaimed KV-S3065C document scanner and the new high-performance KV-S3105 document scanner, Panasonic treated its software associates to a thought-provoking, high-level executive forum featuring three of the document management industry's top consultants and analysts.

"Our products have now begun to receive the acclaim we worked hard to get," said Nick Morisco, national sales manager of Panasonic's document scanner group, and the host of the event, and "it's about time we showed our software associates that we not only manufacture high quality products, but that we are also prepared to demonstrate leadership in this industry, particularly for our associates."

"What a refreshing event," said Dave Mansen, vice president of Captaris. "It's rare that we can enjoy such an informative and high-level industry gathering to discuss with our peers the business and strategic issues that concern us all. Thank you Panasonic."

Apart from several presentations by associate independent software vendors (ISV), the event featured three presentations by industry veterans in market research and consulting, all of which sparked lively debate and commentary. Long-time industry veteran Bruce Silver of Bruce Silver Associates presented his take on the popularity and rapid growth of document imaging and its relationship to the overall enterprise content management market. "I thoroughly enjoyed this event," Silver said. "It gave me an opportunity to talk at a level that you don't get at an ordinary conference. These are decision-makers and I love how quickly you can get right down to the important issues."

Susan Moyse, an industry consultant with InfoTrends/CAP Ventures, presented results from InfoTrends' most recent document scanner user survey. Her talk, and the ensuing discussion, quickly produced interesting insights into the adoption trends driving the market place, particularly relating to the dramatic growth of the workgroup segment of the market. "With so many executives in one room, your mind really gets going when they start to analyze the results," Moyse said. "This meeting has given me some insights into potential product opportunities that I hadn't seen before. I am sure it did the same for the audience."

Raimund Wasner, managing director of the Rheinner Group, presented an overview on the reseller, dealer and integrator channel, which provided insights into events and market trends shaping the future of the channel. "I think everyone in the room is concerned with channel trends, and wants to know more than they can see from the businesses they are involved in with their own dealers," said Wasner. "Judging by the debate, it appears I did hit a nerve."

"I received invaluable input during this event," said Chuck Jackson, president of AnyDoc Software. "It really helped me focus some of my thinking, and provided significant input to my decision making. The side and off-line discussions were quite fascinating as well."

"We're looking at making this an annual event," Morisco said. "We want the world to see that the quality and workmanship we put in our products is reflected in our relationship with our ISV associates. Our associates need to have this level of executive discussion; it's what shapes their success as well as ours."

Panasonic also used this occasion to launch their new Certified Independent Software Vendor Program, which enables Panasonic and an ISV to work together in order to provide the most effective total solution for today's business applications. Providing excellent and competitive scanner products, skilled technical and development support, and joint-marketing opportunities, Panasonic is committed to its certified ISVs. This is illustrated by the addition of several new ISV associates since the summit took place. A dedicated ISV site was built to provide the associates with up-to-date information about distribution strategies and emerging opportunities, as well as trends and technologies that are driving the scanner market and impacting their business. "We continually look for ways that we can add value for the ISV's customers as a way of forging closer ties with ISVs and maximizing the market potential for future alliances," said Morisco.

For more information the scanner lineup, or joining the ISV program, please go to wwwlpanasonic.com/scanners and contact: Alexandra Dilly @ [e-mail].

ABOUT PANASONIC

In the United States, Panasonic Digital Document Company, a unit of Panasonic Corporation of North America, markets a broad line of digital-imaging systems, computer peripherals and office system products designed specifically for business use. Products available include fax and Internet fax machines, digital copiers, network multifunction devices, document management systems, scanners, electronic whiteboards, color and monochrome laser printers, and impact printers. Headquartered in Secaucus, NJ, Panasonic Corporation of North America is the principal North American subsidiary of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (NYSE:MC) of Osaka, Japan. For more information, visit http://www.panasonic.com/office.

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