Toshiba 1996 Annual Report Download - page 20

18.
example of how these two markets are converging. Numerous cable TV opera-
tors are exploring ways to use their infrastructures to offer information services
ranging from on-line computer services to Internet connections. With Time
Warner Cable (TWC), Toshiba in December 1995 began testing a high-speed
data communication system using TWC’s cable lines in San Diego, California.
Toshiba plans to deliver its first system to TWC in summer 1996.
Demand in the computer systems sector is centering on client servers.
Toshiba met this demand during the year with its GS500 PC server. In software,
the company is focusing on open systems. Following an August 1995 alliance
with Oracle Corp., Toshiba began marketing Oracle Applications basic office
software packages. In Liaoning Province in China, Toshiba formed a software
ASPIRE-CI allows Toshiba X-ray CT scanners to
build sequential cross sections of examined sites
in almost real time, improving examination
efficiency and accuracy.
The XECT AS8000 incorporates a 64-bit Ultra
SPARC CPU. Processing speeds up to three times
faster than current models make it ideal for
complex analysis or as an Internet server.
Introduction of the GSM
telephone, TCP-6000, with its
integrated antenna and ergo-
nomic s-shaped profile, is
helping Toshiba get its message
across in the European
telecoms market.
joint venture with Northeastern University Software Group Co., Ltd. in March 1996.
Building on a relationship spanning more than a decade with Sun Microsystems, Inc., Toshiba during the year began
marketing in Japan two new UNIX computers, UX 2000 and XECT AS8000. Both incorporate Sun’s next-generation 64-
bit high-speed CPU. In addition, the two companies are jointly developing new products in such high-potential fields as
right-sizing, Internet applications and interactive media server technology.
For the industrial control systems market, the company introduced a new industrial computer for plant supervision
and control that incorporates a high-performance RISC Power PC microprocessor.
Sales of mobile telecommunications equipment rose due to vigorous growth in Japan. In mid-1996, Toshiba’s GSM
cellular phone will be introduced in Europe. Toshiba already sells N-TACS, PDC-standard and Personal Handyphone
System phones in Japan, as well as AMPS-standard phones, primarily in North America. The GSM model imparts a truly
global scale to Toshiba’s mobile phone operations.
Overseas, business telephone systems flourished. The company elicited particularly solid results in the U.K. market
by introducing several new products. Languishing capital spending in Japan impacted demand for large-scale telecommu-
nications systems, as well as transmitting equipment and other broadcast facilities.
Space Development
Major accomplishments of the year included development of the ETS-VII (Engineering Test Satellite Type VII) and
equipment for JEM (Japanese Experiment Module), both for the National Space Development Agency of Japan.
Medical Equipment
Despite lackluster demand in Japan and other industrialized countries, Toshiba achieved higher sales with
several products incorporating cutting-edge technology. The company introduced the world’s first X-ray
computed tomography unit using ASPIRE-CI technology, which enables virtually real-time continuous
imaging. The CAS-8000V interventional angiography system performed well in Japan and overseas.
Features include smooth operation and a sophisticated design. Finally, targeting the markets of Southeast
Asia, the company established Toshiba Medical Systems Asia Pte., Ltd. in Singapore in August 1995.
Semiconductors
Toshiba’s semiconductor sales rose to a record high, driven by healthy
PC and telecommunications markets. In memory devices, Toshiba’s
strategy was to expand sales of multi-bit and high-speed versions of
16M DRAMs. This led to higher memory sales despite weakness in
unit prices late in the year. MOS logic ICs also posted a sales gain.
With the broader dissemination of multimedia hardware, Toshiba also
benefited from burgeoning demand for high-density ASICs and driver
ICs for CD-ROM drives. Driver ICs are a particular strength; Toshiba
alone accounts for half of this market worldwide.
To ensure a stable supply of high-quality products such as 0.35-
micron devices, Toshiba invested over ¥170 billion in production
facilities in fiscal 1995. Tohoku Semiconductor Corporation, a joint
venture in Japan with Motorola Inc., started up production at its new