2007 Thought Leadership Forum — Wireless Workforce Online Interview With Thell Gillis, Panasonic
The 2006 Thought Leadership Forum on Mobile Technology, held in historic San Antonio, Texas, delivered an unprecedented opportunity for attendees, presenters, solutions partners, and Panasonic executives to meet and share ideas that will impact the course of mobile computing technology and help ensure future success of those who rely on efficient and effective mobile communication.
The 2007 edition is positioned to be even better! The 2007 Thought Leadership Forum on Mobile Technology runs from January 22nd – January 24th in San Antonio, Texas. This year, the Toughbook TLF Welcome Reception will be held at San Antonio's historic Pearl Stable. Built in 1894 to stable Pearl Brewery's draft horses and load their carts for delivery, this luxurious barn was fully restored in 2006 as a magnificent venue for special events.
In lead up to the show, Wireless Workforce Online had a chance to discuss the event with Thell Gillis, market development manager of Energy/Utilities, Telecommunications, Broadband & Cable for Panasonic Computer Solutions Company. Gillis has more than 25 years of experience in the oil and gas industry, and has sponsored and hosted a number of technology symposiums throughout the United States. He has also authored a number of articles and white papers for a variety of utility publications. Enjoy the discussion.
Question. For those that may not be familiar with the Annual Thought Leadership Forum On Mobile Technology, can you explain the principle reason for hosting the event? What does Panasonic look to learn or accomplish from this event?
Answer. It's about educating our end-user's, customers and/or prospects. We provide the leading edge technology from; wireless carriers, middleware providers, mobile workforce management and mounted dock solutions, a forum to present their 'best in class' solutions to our mobile marketplace. From our standpoint, Engineering, both in Secaucus, NJ, and our factory, ITPD, in Kobe, Japan, we get direct input from the attendees on the direction of future models or enhancements to the current product already in the marketplace.
Q. Is the event open to all industry professionals or is it reserved for Panasonic clients/customers only? What is the theory behind who is able to participate?
A. This event is exclusive to Panasonic clients and customers only. Now that every product we manufacture has integrated wireless, from our fully rugged MIL STD 810F, to our line of Business Rugged for the mobile professional, we cover a depth of product line for any enterprise IT standards. This event is another opportunity for Panasonic to offer support, get feedback, and discuss our product roadmap with our customers.
Q. How does the '07 event differ from the '06 2nd Annual Thought Leadership Forum? What can attendees expect from the '07 forum?
A. This year's event proves to be better than last year and even our first year. With new security technologies embedded, new wireless technology and modems, along with the new Intel Duo Core processors, the landscape is constantly changing. We have keynote presentations from industry leading analysts like Gartner, Inc., Serious Networks, and VDC, then companies like; CISCO, Intel, and CITRIX, offer insight on, 802.11 a,b,g, MESH networks, security, and thin client applications. One new aspect to this year's event is our, Engineering - TOUGHBOOK Rx schedule. This allows attendees to make an appointment with Engineering to discuss any related issues and resolve them immediately.
Q. In terms of the discussions during the forum, what are some of the primary industries that will be showcased?
A. The primary marketplace for this event covers market sectors such as; utilities - water, gas and power, communications - telephone, cable/broadband, field service, oil & gas, insurance and transportation. While we do sell into government, public safety, healthcare, and state & local, we're geared more towards the mobile workforce with this type of tailored event.
Q. If Panasonic was able to convey one message to the market following this event, what would you want people to know?
A. We want the market to understand that the Annual Thought Leadership Forum On Mobile Technology is the single place, to learn about and keep up-to-date on the current industry trends in mobile computing, from one of the industry leaders — Panasonic.
Interested professionals can learn more about the forum by accessing an online video of the 2006 event or by contacting Panasonic directly.
About Thell Gillis
As Market Development Manager of Energy/Utilities, Telecommunications,
Broadband & Cable for Panasonic Computer Solutions Company (PCSC), Thell Gillis
is an integral part of the team that's working to provide energy and communications
customers with top-performing, reliable mobile computing solutions for their
workforces. Gillis's responsibilities include software application development for
electric utilities and commodity training platforms. Thell has over 25 years of
experience in the oil and gas industry, and has sponsored and hosted a number of
technology symposiums throughout the United States. He has also authored a number of
articles and white papers for a variety of utility publications. Gillis holds a Bachelor of
Science in Business Administration having attended Northern Illinois University and the College of
DuPage. Gillis also served in the US Coast Guard for six years.