New print-on-demand, print-to-print and 'x-press' film check-in options expand leading Digital Photo Centre range

Alloa, Scotland 18 February 2002 -- ePOINT Limited, the interactive technology specialist, will launch several key enhancements to its Digital Photo Centre product family at the Photo Marketing Association's annual meeting in Florida, 24-27 February 2002. The company will unveil new print-on-demand, print-to-print scanning and 'x-press' analogue film check-in options on booth 2924, as part of its innovative Digital Photo Centre range.

ePOINT will also demonstrate the advanced Digital Media Drive that powers the Digital Photo Centre family, enabling high-speed image transfer and internet upload. Already being integrated into major photofinishing equipment manufacturers' own digital imaging solutions, ePOINT's Digital Media Drive supports all current digital camera media such as: Compact Flash; Smart Media & Memory Stick and will soon include Multimedia/Secure Digital and PC Card.

Launched in August 2001, the Digital Photo Centre is a revolutionary online terminal providing digital camera users with a quick and easy way to display, enhance and order high quality photographic prints in virtually any retail environment. Boosting photo and digital retailing profitability, the new range offers consumers even greater choice with the ability to: produce on-the-spot prints through an integral or external silver halide printer; scan to get new prints from existing prints and order prints for analogue film in record time.

"We have created a one-stop solution for customers' photographic needs," said Gordon Venters, ePOINT's Chief Executive Officer. "The digital camera user can now come along to a Digital Photo Centre in their local retail outlet and obtain full colour photo prints for themselves in a matter of minutes. A new scanning option offers the opportunity to duplicate treasured photos instantly or email them to friends and relatives and a unique web-based 'x-press' check-in for analogue film also means that traditional film customers are catered for."

ePOINT has partnered with Infopoint, a leader in consumer interactive software, to develop the Digital Photo Centre's intuitive user applications and x-press film check-in service. Providing a complete self-service unit, ePOINT's interactive touch-screen and Infopoint's easy-to-use software guides users to customise and order prints from digital camera media, scan, save and email prints, and order analogue prints from single use cameras and roll film.

"The Digital Photo Centre family is designed to provide the missing link between digital photography and prints but it provides much more than a simple digital print fulfilment solution," said Graeme Williams, ePOINT's General Manager for Digital Imaging. "The beauty of the Digital Photo Centre family is its flexibility. With modular photo retail options, the system can be configured to suit customers' and retailers' individual requirements, delivering a highly targeted service and a rapid return on investment."

Developed as a 'Plug 'n Play' solution, the Digital Photo Centre family requires minimal staff intervention to install, run and maintain. It is supported by remote application and management software, allowing the terminals to be maintained and new customer services introduced online. The terminals also monitor usage, providing retailers with valuable store profiling information, trend analysis and management reports. more/ 2/

"We are working with major photographic equipment manufacturers, retailers and digital camera resellers to capture the digital photo retail opportunity," added Graeme Williams. "Boasting a full complement of digital printing, scanning and analogue print ordering services that can be easily customised and retailer branded, the Digital Photo Centre family will build customer loyalty and encourage return-to-store footfall for digital imaging services."

Showing on booth 2924 at PMA 2002, ePOINT's advanced Digital Photo Centre range consists of:

- The Digital Photo Centre wall mounted and floor standing terminals

A fully transactional, web-enabled consumer terminal with powerful digital media drive, rapid digital film upload and CD burning capabilities, that connects with any central lab or digital minilab photo finishing equipment. The terminal can be floor standing or wall mounted for maximum return on retail footprint.

- The Digital Photo Centre print-on-demand module

ePOINT's leading Digital Photo Centre terminal with an integral or external silver halide printer, allows users to control print colour and ordering, with high-speed print delivery all from the same terminal.

- The Digital Photo Centre print-to-print module

ePOINT's leading Digital Photo Centre terminal with a new scanner shelf and external printer option that enables users to scan, save and obtain colour prints instantly.

- The Digital Photo Centre x-press film check-in module

ePOINT's leading Digital Photo Centre terminal with a new interactive application that cuts the time for analogue film drop off, allowing the customer to self-select the size, type of print and quantity required through a brief series of screen prompts. The system then calculates the cost and prints a label for the film to be placed in a drop off box, ready for processing.

- ePOINT's advanced Digital Media Drive

About ePOINT

Founded in 1991, ePOINT is a leading designer of interactive technology for e-business applications in the retail, finance and leisure markets. From its headquarters in Alloa, Scotland, ePOINT develops a range of touch-interactive terminals designed to open up new sales channels, significantly increase revenues and offer greater access to company's inventories. ePOINT's highly innovative product range includes the pioneering Digital Photo Centre, which allows customers to enhance, archive and order prints from digital images, digital audio products such as the Digital Jukebox for leisure outlets and interactive listening posts for music retailers, as well as a group of ready-to-use and bespoke interactive terminals for retail, leisure, banking and public access.

Further information about ePOINT and the Digital Photo Centre is available at: www.epoint.ltd.uk