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PRESS RELEASE: Kodak Announces Portfolio-Wide Professional Output and Software Product Enhancements
Improved Products Drive Efficiency While Demonstrating Kodak's Continued Commitment to Both Pro Labs and Pro Photographers
ORLANDO, February 24 - Underscoring its commitment to the professional market, Eastman Kodak Company today announced improvements across its industry-leading professional output product portfolio designed to increase efficiency and bolster quality. Products being highlighted this week at the Photo Marketing Association tradeshow include: - A new version of KODAK PROFESSIONAL Digital Print Production Software /DP2
- The introduction of KODAK PROFESSIONAL Digital Printing Software/ DP1
- Improved KODAK PROFESSIONAL ULTRA ENDURA Paper
- New KODAK EKTACOLOR Digital Developer Replenisher RT
- Improvements to KODAK PROSHOTS and Studio Suite software
- KODAK Network of Professional Photographers and the Promise of Excellence Guarantee
- KODAK DIGITAL SHO, GEM and ROC photo software plug-ins
"Kodak has long set the gold standard when it comes to output solutions for professionals," said Diane McCue, General Manager, Paper and Output Systems, Film & Photofinishing Systems Group and Vice President, Eastman Kodak Company. "With the range of innovative product & program improvements announced today, the company's dedication to this segment is further strengthened, providing pro labs and pro photographers with better, more streamlined output solutions as well as true support in allowing clients and customers to connect with Pro Quality."
KODAK PROFESSIONAL Digital Workflow Software Improves Efficiency for Pro Labs of Any Size
Kodak's acclaimed Digital Print Production (DP2) software is the backbone of full-service pro labs around the world. The latest version 8.0 promises improvements for even greater productivity, flexibility and usability. Renowned for its open, scalable architecture, the latest version of DP2 software takes connectivity a step further by offering bi-directional communication with NORITSU printers (via NORITSU Hot Folder v2.0 or greater), printing to DURST THETA and LAMBDA printers (via ASCII Autospooling software), and duplex printing on WINDOWS printers. Kodak's ongoing investment in this powerful platform has also allowed for confidence level workflow improvements to KODAK PROFESSIONAL Auto-Retouching Software and enabled the option of shadows on text logos. However, one of the most significant new features in this version of DP2 is Auto Contrast Adjustment - this along with the Auto Scene Balance Algorithms already incorporated in Version 7.0 - allows for fully automated image correction that is optimized for a Pro Lab workflow.
DP2 software version 8.0 will be available in April and additional new features are already in the works for release later this year.
Building on the success of the DP2 platform, Kodak is introducing DP1 software to provide smaller labs, especially those in many emerging markets, with a simple, flexible solution to streamline their workflow. Offering an impressive set of features that are configured to help smaller labs with efficient, high quality print production, DP1 software was specially designed to install quickly and operate easily. Supported in several languages, including Brazilian Portuguese, Spanish, and English, DP1 software will also be available in April.
Paper and Chemical Enhancements Strengthen Image Quality and Productivity
Kodak is in the Silver Halide display media category, which continues to grow globally at a double digit pace. Through the company's ongoing research and development of Professional Imaging media and its commitment to the silver halide platform, KODAK ULTRA ENDURA Paper has been updated to show richer, more realistic colors across the spectrum while maintaining its outstanding longevity. Additionally, the paper offers increased speed for digital printing, giving labs a time and cost benefit. It will be available for the U.S., Latin America and Europe in May and for Asia in June.
Designed for commercial pro labs using Process RA-4, Kodak announced the new KODAK EKTACOLOR Digital Developer Replenisher RT. Benefiting clients and lab operators alike, this newly formulated digital developer provides better overall image quality through higher contrast, increased color saturation and more intense blacks especially when using backlit display materials such as KODAK PROFESSIONAL ENDURA Transparency and KODAK PROFESSIONAL ENDURA clear display materials. Furthermore, this special formula offers exceptional workflow productivity with limited waste, helping labs achieve maximum performance. It is available immediately.
KODAK PROSHOTS System and Network of Professional Photographers Help Boost Revenue for Pro Photographers
Announced just a few weeks ago at Imaging USA, Kodak has created a new network of Professional Photographers.
A website for consumers and other clients demystifies the process of selecting and working with professional photographers for various occasions including weddings, special events or even sourcing for commercial images. At the heart of this website will be an online database of photographers that can be searched based on a number of different criteria - such as location, specialty etc. Available in spring of 2006, initially in the U.S and Canada, Kodak is currently encouraging professional photographers who would like to take advantage of this unique opportunity for exposure and increased business to register in the network. Photographers can register for the service free of charge and can list their credentials, professional affiliations and link to show consumers samples of their work.
KODAK PROSHOTS Software v.3.0 and Studio Suite 6.4 provide professional photographers with the editing, layout, purchasing and selling tools to take their business to the next level. Recent improvements to the virtual storefront feature included in both PROSHOTS and Studio Suite software will allow customers to create their own unique layouts in a simple click and drag format.
Popular Photo Software Image Optimization Plug-ins
Kodak will continue to market and support the software plug-ins created by its former Austin Development Center including KODAK DIGITAL SHO, DIGITAL SHO Professional, KODAK DIGITAL GEM, DIGITAL GEM Professional, DIGITAL GEM Airbrush Professional, Digital ROC and Digital ROC Professional. These seven innovative plug-ins offer professional photographers excellent image optimization and enhancement at an affordable price. The latest version of the plug-ins, 2.0, is available now for both WINDOWS and MACINTOSH System users by visiting www.asf.com.
About Eastman Kodak Company
Kodak is the world's foremost imaging innovator, providing leading products and services to the photographic, graphic communications and healthcare markets. With sales of $14.3 billion in 2005, the company is committed to a digitally oriented growth strategy focused on helping people better use meaningful images and information in their life and work. Consumers use Kodak's system of digital and traditional image capture products and services to take, print and share their pictures anytime, anywhere; businesses effectively communicate with customers worldwide using Kodak solutions for prepress, conventional and digital printing and document imaging; creative professionals rely on Kodak technology to uniquely tell their story through moving or still images; and leading healthcare organizations rely on Kodak's innovative products, services and customized workflow solutions to help improve patient care and maximize efficiency and information sharing within and across their enterprise. More information about Kodak (NYSE: EK) is available at www.kodak.com.
* Under typical home display and storage conditions and when printed with current state-of-the-art pigmented inks, prints made on KODAK PROFESSIONAL Inkjet Photo Paper are projected to last in excess of 100 years, even when displayed without additional protection, such as behind glass. See www.kodak.com/go/proinkjet for a copy of the complete white paper.
Kodak, Kodak Professional, Endura, Ultra, Ektacolor, ProShots, Digital Sho, Digital Gem, Digital Roc are trdemarks of Eastman Kodak Company.
2006
(First posted on Friday, February 17, 2006 at 08:00 EST)
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