Panama. Data Serve is one of the most important broadcast technology distributors in Panama. Their experience allows them to know the trends in terms of technology that companies in the industry are demanding in this Central American country.
Alessio Gronchi, General Manager of Data Serve, told TVyVideo+Radio that "Between 2020 and 2021 the market's interest was focused on remote and distributed production. In 2022 we began to see greater interest in the automation of processes that would allow content to be produced at a lower cost. That seems to be the trend of investments in 2023 as well."
That is why, in line with market interest, this year the Data Serve team will attend NAB Show with the idea of "acquiring representatives of manufacturers that can provide process automation solutions in broadcast, as well as innovative products that reduce capital investment for our customers," he said.
In 2022, the company closed two important studio automation projects using high-end PTZ equipment with the two main broadcasters in the Panamanian market. Despite this, Alessio Gronchi recalled that "We closed the year 2022 12% below 2021 mainly because in 2021 many important projects that were held back by the pandemic were completed, also due to the serious logistical difficulties that prevented us from having the products in the expected times. In 2021 we returned to pre-pandemic levels, surpassing them even."
On the logistical issue, he pointed out that "Although it is no longer a general problem, because some manufacturers have managed to reduce their delivery times to acceptable levels, there are others that continue to have serious difficulties in obtaining their components, translating into delivery times of 6 months to 1 year in certain cases. The reduction in sales in 2022 compared to 2021 is largely due to this difficulty of obtaining the product on time."
Finally, he indicated that they see 2023 with good eyes. "We have in the funnel a significant number of projects that if they materialize on time will give us good results in these twelve months."
