Smart solutions for a tech-hungry world (hktdc.com)


	Designed in Hong Kong SmartGlobe is being hailed as the world's first interactive atlas

Clever design by award-winning Hong Kong electronics company IDT International Limited has the world in a spin.

SmartGlobe, the interactive 3D world atlas, is being hailed internationally as one of the best educational products invented. Designed in Hong Kong, SmartGlobe contains information on around 200 countries and territories, ranging from history and geography to population facts. IDT believes its invention is "the world's first internet updateable interactive globe".

With its content updated online weekly, SmartGlobe has been ranked first in the Top 10 educational products by US-based toy information company Dr Toy, and one of the Great American Toy Test's 'Fab 14'. In its latest accolade, SmartGlobe has received the Grand Award for consumer product design by the Federation of Hong Kong Industries.

This year, versions of SmartGlobe will be launched in various languages, including Chinese, Spanish, Italian, German, French, Portuguese and Japanese.

IDT's Executive Director Shirley Chan said the talent of her Hong Kong R&D team had been pivotal to the company's success.

R&D strength

"Product innovation is a key factor for success in consumer electronic industries," said Mrs Chan, whose husband Raymond Chan is Chairman, Chief Executive and founder of the company. "IDT strongly invests in R&D and product design to maintain our competitiveness and sustain our leadership positioning.

"We think it is not enough for the company to simply sell products. We are interested in showing that a Hong Kong company is capable of developing innovative designs."

Hong Kong-listed IDT International is a globally-recognised pioneer in the area of innovation technology. It was founded in 1977 after Dr Chan, having worked as an electrical engineer in the US, saw business opportunities for developing consumer products using liquid crystal display (LCD) and microprocessor technology.

He began by using integrated display technology to convert conventional analogue products into digital: first LCD alarm clocks, and later inventing a digital stopwatch with jumbo display for watch company TAG Heuer. The world's first LCD projection clock was another of the company's innovative designs.

By the 1980s, the company had begun its global expansion, opening offices in Switzerland and Japan. In the 1990s it expanded to the US, acquiring Oregon Scientific, one of the world's most widely recognised consumer electronic names.

Global operations

Today, IDT has a worldwide presence with marketing and distribution offices in the US, China, Japan, Singapore, Brazil, Australia, Britain, Germany, France, Italy and Spain. The company headquarters and R&D teams remain in Hong Kong, while the manufacturing operation in Shenzhen in the Chinese mainland employs between 6,000 and 7,000 workers.

IDT's product range is filled with innovation, including an award-winning digital cordless phone, the world's slimmest MP3 player; the thinnest voice recorder; and the first waterproof and shockproof MP3 player. It is such innovation that holds the key, Mrs Chan said.

"A good product needs to combine outstanding design, innovative technology and a clear concept. The competitive edge of our products lies precisely in these fields. We want to develop novel, innovative items to enhance people's daily lives."