When someone tells you to "be smart," what do you do Most people would start looking around and trying to spot the problem before its mentioned in the conversation. Some other people might say "I am, always." But this year, if someone tells you to "be smart," you can instantly reply "Yes, I'm going to the 42nd Korea Electroics Show." Because that's the motto.
Be Smart, the 42nd Korea Electronics Show (KES), begins this October. From the 12th to the 15th this year, KES will once again showcase the IT icons of the nation. This year the show is expected to emphasize the convergence between software and hardware. How will software meet hardware to brighten up the IT industry as well as improving the quality of our lives The answers lie within KES 2011.
When software meets hardware
As with prior shows, KES will be the place to be for technology buffs and early adopters. With over a hundred firms planning to show their state-of-the-art products, there will be something for everyone.
Convergence is again the name of the game of 2011. “Before, the electronics industry was based on putting various parts together to produce a complete product. This, however, has changed. Now the trend is to put together the completed products and information technology. The smart revolution has revolutionized the industry’s paradigm,” said Mr. Francis Kang, the Director/Market and Exhibition Center of the Korea Electronics Association (KEA). “The KES is looking to be the control tower in this venture. In other words, we will be the scene of convergence solutions.”
According to Mr. Kang, the terms Software and Hardware will be almost obsolete in KES 2011. Hardware will be developed from advances in software technology. Or in other words, hardware will be the realizations of developments in software technology, and the collaboration of these two will bring about marvelous innovations. Attendees of KES will be able to experience this new wave in IT firsthand.
Completely new devices will be rarer this time around. However, there is no need to worry because software developers have been busy and brought new innovations in hardware to support these new developments. There are companies specializing in embedded technology, virtual reality, applications, 3D, mobile, and u-cloud technology signing up to set up kiosks. There will be over 200 booths from 24 institutes dedicated to apps. KEA is considering setting up a separate partition for the apps, called the App World.
Smart Korea Conferences
KES will not only be holding a huge electronics expo, but also various conferences and talks on future government policies regarding IT and various government ministries. For example, the Ministry of Defense will be meeting various firms about installing IT systems on ships, while the Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries will be looking to find IT solutions on growing cabbage.
These conferences and meetings will provide insights into how companies can develop their products in the future as well, allowing them to create more and better IT solutions that the government might require in the future.
World Marketplace for IT
KES will also act as a marketplace for R&D suppliers such as universities, research firms and research institutes to market their products. Without natural resources or infrastructure, currently the strength in the Korean IT industry lies in its ability to develop technology. The KES will be the place for them to show off their end results. Buyers will be happy too; what better place to find new technology all together in one place than KES! Currently around domestic 50,000 visitors are scheduled to attend as well as 2,000 foreign buyers. Distributors from India, Russia, Canada, Japan, China and Indonesia are expected to attend as well.
As with this year’s theme, many of the products on display are expected to be on the software side. However there is no need to worry on the lack of visual effects. On the contrary, since software is actually what drives the hardware there is plenty of neat hardware realizations of software development expected to be on display.
The Show to be At
Compared to larger electronic exhibitions overseas, such as the German IFA and CES held in America, the KES may be comparatively smaller in size. The IFA, which is centered on tools and deals, hosts nearly 1423 companies while CES, a more value chain-oriented expo, more than 120,000 attendees. Along with the Japanese CEATEC which boasts the most advanced technological displays, the KES is one of the 5 electronic expos of the world.
The KES, as a general electronics expo, was never competing for size with the larger foreign electronics expo. However, the KES has always strived to be the expo where people wanted to be. While the KES has always entertained attendees through the various kiosk displays and aesthetic designs, the highlight has to be the opening ceremony – a 40 year old tradition that will continue this year as well. The latest technology was always used to show entertaining and thought provoking opening shows, alongside top ‘Korean Wave’ stars performing onstage – another ‘software’ that is thehottest trend nowadays as well.
