Stocks in Focus Jan 26 2000 3:30PM CST
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Panja Extends the Internet Beyond the PC
by: Margaret Medina
Imagine having the ability to control all your home appliances and
Internet content via a single device. Panja's {PNJA} touch screen
devices give people the ability to remotely control a wide variety of
consumer products such as stereos, TVs, VCRs, home security
systems, air conditioning and heating - all from a single appliance.
They also facilitate the storing of information from the Internet and
allow it to be displayed on easy-to-use wireless or mounted control
panels. Conversely, the control systems can be accessed
remotely via the Internet.
The unusual name stems from the Brazilian word for "machete"
and reflects the company's goal to slice Internet content from the
PC and distribute content via other devices. The company's touch
panel devices are used in a majority of Fortune 500 boardrooms
including those of AT&T, Intel, Motorola, and Sony. The systems
are also used in stadiums and entertainment parks like Arlington
Texas Ballpark, the Georgia Dome, Disney World and Sea World
to control audio and video systems, mechanical equipment and
special effects systems. School districts and universities, such as
the Dallas Independent School District and the University of Notre
Dame, use Panja's systems in auditoriums and lecture halls for
audio-visual presentations.
The Dallas-based company, which changed its name from AMX
Corp in July 1999, sells its products to the commercial, residential,
and educational markets. Businesses use Panja's products in a
wide variety of applications - including corporate boardroom
presentations, security camera control and audio-visual
presentations for conventions. The educational market
applications include distance learning and interactive learning.
Residential uses include home automation to control home
entertainment systems (audio, video and home-theater systems),
home security, and lighting.
Panja's strength lies in its technology, which allows integrated
control of a wide variety of electronic devices (over 20,000) using a
single touch panel. Building upon this strength, Panja hopes to
use this technology to further develop strategic partnerships with
OEMs - both domestically and internationally, and to apply it to
new products and applications. The company has a program
called the Panja Partner Program (P3), which develops alliances
between hardware manufacturers, software companies and content
providers, to integrate operability of their products with Panja's
products.
Traditionally, Panja's devices for the residential market have been
placed in homes valued greater than one million dollars. In a move
to extend its products' reach beyond the high-end residential
market, the company began efforts in 1995 to lower the cost of its
systems. Panja shipped the first of these products in 1997 and
the company has since received several industry awards for its
products. PNJA considers the residential and international
markets to have vast potential for its products and has expanded
its presence in the U.K., Asia, Canada and Latin America.
A typical Panja system consists of a central controller, device
interfaces, and one or more control panels. The controllers
"introduce" the devices to each other and link them together via a
4-wire data bus, which allows for two-way transmission of signals.
The touch panels vary in size, shape and color to match the user's
preference and needs. Software completes the Panja system and
allows the system to be configured for scheduling, automation and
design of the system.
In January 2000, the company began shipping its Panja 1000 units
- the company's "home entertainment gateway" that streams
Internet content to home entertainment systems. The system
consists of a controller, a wireless receiver, a combination wireless
RF remote control/display device, and an optional digital media
processing unit that decodes and streams the data for
distribution. Prices range from $2700 to $2000 depending on the
services chosen with the system. The company expects the retail
cost for the Panja 1000 to eventually decline to around $1000. The
higher-end Panja 2000 line integrates home automation into the
system.
In conjunction with the Panja 1000 system, the company offers a
choice of two subscription services. The PanjaCast, at $9.95 per
month, sends Internet content to a remote control flat panel
interface called a ViewPoint. This system allows users to view
news and weather information, stock quotes, and other data. The
Broadband Blast service ($19.95 per month) includes the
PanjaCast features with the additional ability to stream the video
and audio files to entertainment components throughout the
home. The company is currently partnered with InfoSeek/GO
Network and StreamSearch.com to offer this service, but is adding
additional partners over time. |
