It should be clear to the visitors: Fujitsu is definitely not a childish player. With around 170,000 employees, the Japanese company is a player to reckon with. However, the name is not known to everyone, perhaps due to the focus on the business market. In any case, Fujitsu made an effort today to put itself on the map. The annually held Fujitsu Forum attracted about 10,000 visitors from more than eighty countries.
The major crowd-puller in the morning was the keynote speech by – primarily – CEO Rolf Schwirz. Although half an hour earlier the main results and plans had already been presented in a sober press conference to the attending journalists, everything was pulled out for a slick presentation in the keynote speech accessible to the public (and well-attended).
The motto of the Fujitsu Forum is 'reshaping IT'. That sounds a bit abstract, although the idea behind it became clear during the presentation. Fujitsu sees the playing field changing from a static hardware-based ICT world to a dynamic, accessible, and especially flexible world where literally young and old participate, you consume services instead of building a hefty IT environment, and ICT is increasingly integrated directly into daily life. Think of the popularization of apps, the rise of social media, smartphones, and the 'bring your own' trend where everyone uses the hardware 'from home' in the workplace as well. Fujitsu wants to provide the solutions they deem appropriate in this changing environment.
Fujitsu also signals the 'democratization of software'. Developing applications is no longer reserved for a few experts thanks to standardized 'platforms'. Anyone with a bit of programming experience can develop apps for 'standard platforms' like iOS or Android, mainly because as a developer you no longer have to worry about the software functioning seamlessly on a thousand different IT and system configurations and corresponding platforms. According to the manufacturer, this results in clear, accessible, and very targeted solutions. Mobile apps are of course the clearest example of this.
Cloud computing
Fujitsu wants to capitalize on this with a stronger focus on cloud computing. It has set a concrete goal: by the end of March 2015, thirty percent of revenues must come from cloud services. The manufacturer emphasized once again that the cloud is certainly not a new technology, but rather a new consumption model. It offers flexibility: you only pay for the resources you use. You can handle peak models by temporarily consuming more, instead of building your IT platform based on this peak demand and continuously paying for something you generally do not need.
Fujitsu translates this vision into a concrete new 'product', the Cloud Business Solutions. This is an ecosystem of the previously introduced cloud platform with SaaS applications, intended for internet service providers. They get a solution in one go to provide their customers with fully managed cloud apps, which they can use on a subscription basis. The first SaaS application that will be available on this platform is Fujitsu CRM. Cloud providers do not have to pay Fujitsu in advance; the Japanese only ask for a portion once revenue is generated.
Hardware and gadgets
In addition to outlining Fujitsu's vision, there was of course also attention for tangible items: the hardware portfolio. On an extensive Demo Ground, there was plenty of space for visitors to view the hardware. Highlights included the new P23T-6 FPR 3D. A mouthful for a monitor that you can use in both 2D and 3D mode, handy for example for visualization in CAD applications, sales pitches, or presentations.
Another interesting gadget we could hold is the Fujitsu Android Slate. This is at first glance a 'normal' 10-inch Android tablet, but with a unique feature: it is waterproof up to one meter. Contrary to our expectations, the display was bright and the touchscreen just as sensitive as non-waterproof, modern Android tablets. However, we could no longer use the touchscreen once we submerged the device underwater. The tablet is currently only available in Japan. Fujitsu claims to be 'waiting for the reactions of the European public to decide whether the gadget will come to Europe'.
Another interesting piece of hardware is the new FastOn technology. Fujitsu equips its top models from the Esprimo desktop PC line with this. With this technology, such a PC would be ready for use in 13 seconds from the moment it is turned on. This is possible thanks to a combination of an SSD, an optimized BIOS, and a customized Windows 7 installation. These new Esprimo PCs will be available from December through selected channel partners.
Furthermore, we were very charmed by the Fujitsu Bay Projector. This is a very compact projector the size of a pack of playing cards. You plug this mini-beamer into the 'universal bay' of your laptop, after which you can present the contents of your screen on a white cloth or wall. Ideal for when you are often on the go but do not always want to carry a projector with you. There is also a downside: the Bay Projector only works with the Lifebook P771 and the Lifebook S671. Also, the resolution of 800x600 is not optimal, and the light output of 40 ANSI lumens requires a dark environment for a visible projection. You can get this gadget for a suggested retail price of 499 euros.
Supercomputer
There was also room for the necessary 'show-off' developments. For instance, there was attention for the new Fujitsu PRIMEHPC FX10 supercomputer. This follows the former fastest computer in the world, Fujitsu's 'K computer', with a substantial doubling of processing power to 23.2 petaflops and 6 petabytes (6000 terabytes) of internal memory. The message was clear: there is no application in the world for which Fujitsu could not provide sufficient computing power.
Fujitsu also used the Forum to showcase the 'green heart' of the company. The manufacturer presented a new 0-watt adapter for the Lifebook notebook series. This adapter reduces power consumption in standby mode to practically zero.
Furthermore, the press was allowed a glimpse into the so-called NDA room, where products were presented that cannot yet be disclosed. We noticed some promising products there, which we will inform you about as soon as possible.
