Head of Agilent Technologies Canada plots course for continued support of innovation

The recently named new head of Agilent Technologies Canada says that the company will continue to target the communications sector as a key growth area as the troubled sector begins to show signs of recovery. Lawrence Loo took over the top job for Agilent’s Canadian operations last month (RoW, Sept. 23/03) from Alan Lolacher, who stepped down after 19 years with the test and measurement company. Loo tells Report on Wireless in an interview after his appointment was made public that the company will continue to provide innovative test technology to the communications industry. "Our core strategy has been pretty consistent and we will continue down that path. I don’t think there are any major changes in strategies on how we provide innovations to our customers to help them reduce their cost and increase their time to market." Agilent traditionally sets out its goals and objectives at the global level because there has been a shift to Asia, particularly in the manufacturing sector, Loo explains. "Our strategies are targeting key supply chains, targeting or working very closely with our key global customers," he says. Loo says that the wireless industry faces challenges going forward, but says that the difficulties are similar to those being experienced in other sectors such as the generic infrastructure telecom industry. "The challenges are obviously the need to reduce your cost, the need to accelerate your time to market and in the case of accelerating time to market, we can help that development process and we can provide cutting edge R&D test solutions. We help them reduce design cycles and maximize product quality," he explains. The cost of conducting product and applications testing is becoming of increasing concern for wireless service providers for example. Loo says Agilent can help in that area. "In general, the whole ability for service providers to get their investments back to make money and the way we contribute in this are is to help them reduce their costs of tests," Loo says. One key area where Agilent sees as a potential market opportunity is the move to third-generation wireless. Loo explains that the multiple format capability of its products give it an upper hand in this market. "We have a platform that allows customers to really innovate whether it’s an emerging technology or emerging standard without having to necessarily re-purchase brand new (test) equipment," he says. Wi-Fi certification holds promise of greater business Agilent Technologies is the exclusive supplier for Wi-Fi product certification services for the Wi-Fi Alliance. Any company needing the Wi-Fi stamp of approval needs to go through Agilent Technologies, Loo explains. The company sees its relationship with the Wi-Fi Alliance as an advantage to land more business in equipment certification services. The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers approved the metro area fixed wireless standard 802.16a, commonly referred to as WiMAX, and Agilent sees this as a potential opportunity for future business.

Head of Agilent Technologies Canada plots course for continued support of innovation

News | October 7, 2003

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