Kodak Enhances Optical Storage Solutions Family with New Products at AIIM 96; New Product Introductions, Shipping Announcement, and Software Agreement Combine to Significantly Advance Kodak's Optical Storage Strategy

Business Wire, March 29, 1996

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 29, 1996--Kodak, a global leader in optical storage, today reinforced its strategy to offer complete, cost-effective compact disc (CD) and large format 14-inch optical disk data storage solutions for corporate network users.

Five related news announcements made at the AIIM 96 trade show today strengthen Kodak's optical storage product line and make optical storage a more viable option for network users.

"We see tremendous opportunities for Kodak in the data storage and distribution markets," said Dr. Joseph Miceli, general manager for Kodak Optical Products. "Today, Kodak is addressing these markets with new products that demonstrate technical innovation and superior engineering."

The following are highlights of each announcement made at AIIM 96:

-- The next-generation Kodak Digital Science ODW25 Optical Disk Drive platform utilizes 14-inch optical disks with 25 Gigabytes of capacity per disk -- an increase of 68 percent over the previous generation of 14-inch optical media, and 68 percent more than any other optical media of any size or format. The ODW25 Optical Disk Drive is compatible with all versions of Kodak 14" optical media.

-- The Kodak Digital Science Optical Disk System 2000/2000E will be supported by IBM's ADSTAR Distributed Storage Manager (ADSM) for AIX, Version 2.1. Kodak and IBM customers may now automate data storage in a distributed environment more easily and cost-effectively.

-- The new Kodak CD-R Automated Disk Library 150 (ADL-150R) integrates compact disc (CD) recorders with Kodak's Digital Science CD File Store Solutions product line. Networked users can now easily write, store, and access data on CDs through a single automated disk library system.

-- A new version Kodak Digital Science CD File Store Solutions software for Microsoft Windows NT server-based networks provides multiple people with concurrent read/write access to multiple CD libraries. Data access is controlled using standard NT security features, while on-line software updates help reduce server downtime.

-- Kodak CD-ROM File Store Solutions product line began shipping in two Automated Disk Library configurations -- the Kodak CD-ROM Automated Disk Library (ADL) 150 and the Kodak PCD Automated Disk Library (ADL) 100. They are aimed at flexibly meeting corporate network storage needs with massive data storage capacity, "plug and play" network file system (NFS) implementation, and an intelligent application programming interface (API) for easier integration and customization.

-- Kodak PCD Writer 600, the newest member of the Kodak CD Production and Distribution product family, began shipping. The "hex speed" capability of the Kodak PCD 600 makes it ideal for serious CD production copying and distribution where reliability and turnaround time are mission critical needs.

"This series of recent announcements is indicative of the strong Kodak's efforts to expand the optical disk data storage market," said Gerald Smart, worldwide marketing manager, Kodak Optical Storage Products. "We see many more opportunities to create value-added data storage solutions for customers, especially corporate network users. Data is proliferating at an exponential rate and users demand fast access. Our optical disk products are truly addressing these requirements in a cost-effective, reliable manner."

Availability

For more information on Kodak's current optical disc products and media, customers may call 800/EKDISK1 -- Information may also be accessed via CompuServe (GO KODAK) or Internet at http://www.kodak.com.

About Kodak Optical Storage Products

Kodak Optical Storage Products is a wholly-owned division of the Eastman Kodak Company, the world's leader in photographic film manufacturing, and digital and applied imaging. Kodak Optical Storage Products designs, develops, manufactures, and markets a complete line of 14-inch and compact disk optical storage products. Kodak is a leader in large format optical disk library and CD-R (compact disc recordable) products.

CONTACT: Kodak

Engelina Jaspers, 716/722-5082

jasper@kodak.com

or

Welch Communications

Marianne Welch, 408/395-7363

welchcomm@aol.com