Microsoft and Fujifilm Team to Lower Barriers to Retail Digital Photofinishing

Microsoft and Fujifilm Team to Lower Barriers to Retail Digital Photofinishing

Collaboration Offers Windows XP Users Fast, Easy Pickup of Digital Prints at More Than 5,000 Retail Locations, With Some in as Little as One Hour

REDMOND, Wash., Dec. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- In the midst of the busy holiday photo-processing season, Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:MSFT) today announced that it has teamed with Fuji Photo Film U.S.A. Inc. to connect millions of digital photographers with retailers for easy and convenient printing of digital pictures. Beginning this week, Fujifilm's Get The Picture Online service is accessible directly through the Windows(R) XP Online Print Wizard, MSN(R) Photos and Microsoft(R) Digital Image Suite. This will enable consumers to order professionally processed digital prints directly from a Windows XP-based PC for pickup in as little as an hour at participating Fujifilm retail photo centers, including those at Sam's Club, Ritz Camera Centers Inc. and Wolf Camera Inc.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO )

"As the digital imaging market continues to boom, with worldwide images captured expected to exceed 108 billion, it is increasingly more necessary for leaders in the technology and photography industries to collaborate to create solutions that help consumers view and enjoy their photos in new and compelling ways," said Ron Glaz, Digital Imaging Program director at IDC. "The ability to order prints directly from the Windows XP desktop for pickup at retail within a matter of hours represents a significant step forward in offering new market opportunities for retailers and greater flexibility and convenience for consumers."

Get the Picture Online was the first online print ordering system to offer pickup in as little as one hour. It uses Fujifilm's extensive integrated network -- the Frontier Family of Digital Lab Systems, which account for more than 50 percent of all such systems installed nationally -- to provide online ordering capabilities for consumers who can elect to pick up their prints at stores or have the pictures mailed to their home. To date more than 5,000 store locations, from mass-market retailers to independent photo labs, are linked to the service, providing a convenient option for high-quality digital picture prints.

The enhanced Online Print Wizard provides an extensible architecture for retailers, such as those on the Fujifilm network, to offer consumers online print-ordering services via Windows XP with no software download required. As a result, users of Windows XP are able to order prints online for postal mail delivery or have them printed and ready for pickup at the retailer of their choice, whether it's around the corner from home, close to the office or across the country near loved ones.

"Consumers want high-quality prints from their digital pictures for albums, frames, scrapbooks or just for passing among friends and family," said Howard Locke, product manager for Digital Services at Fuji Photo Film U.S.A. Inc. "Since lifestyles and schedules vary, the flexibility of Get the Picture Online empowers consumers to get real prints of their digital pictures in a manner that is most convenient to them, either as a quick pickup during the next trip to the store or through the mail for those with the busiest of schedules."

Once a photo or group of photos is selected on the Windows XP desktop, consumers can click on the Order Prints Online icon and elect to pick up their prints at the photo center of their choice -- locally or nationally at retailers including Sam's Club, Ritz Camera and Wolf Camera -- or have the printed pictures mailed to their homes. Pickup locations are chosen via a ZIP code-based search. Retailers can offer a choice of wallet-size, 4x6-, 5x7- and 8x10-inch prints or customized options based on their product assortment. As the images are shown on screen, the system will suggest an optimal print size based on resolution. The service also will allow consumers to do basic photo editing -- including image cropping, image rotating and red-eye correction -- at some participating retailers.

"The proliferation of digital imaging has transformed the photo-processing industry and introduced new opportunities to serve customers online," said Richard Tranchida, executive vice president of Ritz Camera. "By working with companies like Microsoft and Fujifilm, we are able to extend the benefits of our online ordering service to even more consumers and offer them a solution that's easy, convenient and economical."

About Fujifilm

Fuji Photo Film U.S.A. Inc. is a subsidiary of Fuji Photo Film Co. Ltd. and delivers technology solutions to meet the imaging and information needs of retailers, consumers, professionals and business customers. As a global leader in digital imaging, Fujifilm pioneered the development of digital medical systems, and today is the leader in digital minilab systems. The company was ranked in the top 10 for U.S. patents granted during the last decade, employs approximately 73,000 people worldwide, and in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2004, had global revenues of more than $24 billion. In the United States, Fujifilm is a leader in delivering high-quality, easy-to-use imaging and information solutions in the following categories: Digital Imaging Systems, Recording/Storage Media, Film and Imaging Systems, Motion Picture Film, Graphic Arts and Printing Systems, and Medical Imaging and Diagnostics Systems. Fujifilm is an environmentally friendly, humane enterprise and an exemplary corporate citizen.

For more information on Fujifilm products, consumers can call 800-800-FUJI (800-3854) or access the Fujifilm U.S.A. Web site at http://www.fujifilm.com/.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

NOTE: Microsoft, Windows and MSN are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.

The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Microsoft Corp.

CONTACT: press only, Kristen Johnson, +1-425-452-5496, or
kjohnson@webershandwick.com, or Amy Jorgenson, +1-425-452-5404, or
ajorgenson@webershandwick.com, both of Weber Shandwick, for Microsoft; or Andy
LaGuardia of Fujifilm U.S.A., +1-914-789-8148, or
andrew_laguardia@fujifilm.com; or Nicole Ramirez of Text 100, +1-212-871-4081,
nicoler@text100.com, for Fujifilm

Web site: http://www.microsoft.com/

NOTE TO EDITORS: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass on Microsoft's corporate information pages. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may since have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft's Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/contactpr.asp.

-------
Profile: intent