News

Kodak opens up to new photofinishing standards

June 18, 2002

ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- As part of its commitment to the recently announced digital photofinishing initiative Common Picture eXchange Environment, Eastman Kodak Co. (NYSE:EK) announced on June 19 that it would include CPXe standards in a wide range of company products, including its Picture Maker kiosks.

CPXe is a Web-based initiative designed to make it easier for consumers to transmit and print digital photos across a variety of platforms. More than a dozen photofinishing companies are taking part in the initiative (See story: Standards established for digital development).

Kodak announced June 19 that it would migrate its EasyShare software directory to the CPXe's open standards. EasyShare offers customers a list of local retail photofinishing providers. Consumers can then transmit photos electronically to those providers, who make prints of the images that are available for pick-up or delivery.

Kodak said it would also include CPXe standards in its kiosks, photofinishing equipment, software, and networks. CPXe standards are expected to go into use before year's end.

"Kodak is committed to giving consumers the easiest to use digital products and services," Phil Gerskovich, Kodak chief operating officer, Digital and Applied Imaging unit, said in a news release. "We are committed to supporting CPXe in a full range of Kodak products and services to provide consumers with unfettered choice of how, where, and when they print digital pictures."

With 35,000 units worldwide, Kodak's Picture Maker kiosks are the largest deployment in the kiosk industry.