News

NetShift, HP appeal to art lovers with interactive system

July 28, 2003

LONDON -- NetShift has produced an interactive art-browsing system to support Hewlett Packard's new "print on demand" partnership with the National Gallery. Using HP's new imaging and large-format printer technology, National Gallery visitors can instantly print paintings in excellent quality.

By adding NetShift's touchscreen terminal system, HP has created a self-service element that gives visitors the chance to browse the collection before ordering prints electronically, according to a news release.

The new "print on demand" project provides the National Gallery the benefit of managing supply and demand for prints. Once restricted to printing only the most popular works, the National Gallery is now able to reproduce 900 of the collection's paintings at the touch of a button. The prohibitive costs associated with minimum print runs and excess inventory are eliminated, the release said. The full collection will be available online by early 2004.

NetShift's self-service systems make ordering a print simple and efficient. Paintings are categorized by name, artist and theme, and users can complete an order with only three screen touches.

When a print has been requested, the terminal prints out a slip that confirms the details of the order. Visitors take the slip to a specially designated area to collect their image that prints while they wait.

Tim Daw, NetShift chief operations officer, said, "The days of leafing through hundreds of frames to find the right print are over. Our interactive browsing terminals combined with HP's print quality means a revolution in customer service and choice."