PMA puts spotlight on the latest in imaging

Chain Drug Review, Feb 18, 2008

LAS VEGAS -- New photoprocessing systems to help retailers get the most from their photography business were among the hundreds of products shown at the Photo Marketing Association's (PMA's) 2008 show here earlier this month.

Fujifilm U.S.A. Inc., Noritsu America Corp., HP Retail Photo Solutions and Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America Inc. were just some of the suppliers debuting new units.

"Consumers are looking for more ways to enjoy their stories," notes Brad Kruchten, vice president and general manager of Kodak's retail printing group. "This challenges retailers to make smart, flexible investments in new technology that will enable them to meet those needs, today and in the future."

At PMA 2008 Kodak introduced several new printers, scanners and kiosks as well as the Adaptive Picture Exchange/APEX, a behind-the-counter thermal dry lab solution that a spokesman says provides retailers with unprecedented ease of use, flexibility and scalability.

Meanwhile, Fujifilm introduced several additions to its popular Frontier digital lab systems.

The Frontier 750, 770 and 790 feature small bodies, updated image controller software, Image Intelligence and easy operation, a spokesman notes,

Fujifilm's new Frontier Dry Minilab 400 is a completely dry ink-jet digital lab system.

In addition, Fujifilm introduced a new kiosk terminal and several enhancements to its management software.

For its part, Noritsu unveiled the Noritsu D701, a compact retail ink-jet printer, and the QSS-37 series of digital printers.

The Noritsu D701 is said to be capable of producing a wide variety of pant sizes, from standard 4-inch by 6-inch prints to calendars, photo cards, locker pants and posters up to 10 inches by 36 inches.

Noritsu's QSS-37 series consists of high-performance, silver halide digital printers that provide "maximum productivity and revenue," a company spokesman says.

The units can print up to 2,360 pants an hour in sizes up to 12 inches by 36 inches.

The QSS-37 printers are configurable as traditional minilabs with the addition of the company's optional EZLab software.

HP, meanwhile, launched its HP Photo Center, a scalable digital print solution designed to let retailers augment their established lab infrastructure.

The system includes the new HP Photosmart ml1000 minilab, HP Photosmart pm2000e microlab printers, the HP Photosmart cl2000 Creative printer and a new 17-inch consumer order station.

Also featured was Mitsubishi's Mini-DPS, a portable digital management system that accepts a wide variety of media inputs.