Fujifilm Opens Door to Data Storage University, an Interactive Learning Environment for Users At All Education Levels

Business Wire, Oct 1, 2002

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

ELMSFORD, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 1, 2002

Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc.:

-- DSU Provides An Innovative Resource for Resellers, IT Professionals and Consumers That Combines Interactivity, Comprehensive Tutorials About Storage Topics

-- Web Site Wins Web Marketing Association's 2002 Standard of Excellence Award, Merit Award from "The One Show Interactive"

To help fill the current knowledge gap about the importance of data storage technology and its business and personal applications, the Computer Products Division of Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc. has launched an objective, innovative online learning center, Data Storage University (DSU). The comprehensive Web site is designed to nurture the "data storage architect" in all of us. DSU will provide all visitors, on the business, individual and reseller level, with a fundamental, interactive understanding about how data storage works in a way that is easy and fun.

Data Storage University (www.datastorageuniversity.com)(1), which has already won the Standard of Excellence award from the Web Marketing Association and a Merit award from The One Show Interactive, offers consumers, IT professionals, industry watchers and computer product resellers a highly intuitive approach to learning about the storing of digital data, images, video and audio using a wide range of architectures and formats. The "data storage architect" concept was developed to educate users about data storage capacity, technology and how the future use of storage solutions must be planned at the "blueprint" stage. Helping to address storage questions and concerns, DSU delivers an advanced learning environment that offers data storage-related content and interactive labs and workshops.

"Users at all knowledge levels, from consumers all the way up to resellers and IT professionals, need readily available information to help them grasp all aspects of data storage. The importance of understanding data storage continues to increase as technology becomes more interwoven into our daily lifestyles," said Fara Yale, chief analyst, Gartner Dataquest. "IT professionals are often thrust into difficult data storage reconstruction projects without the proper education about how to best solve the problem, and all too often don't know where to begin."

The Computer Products Division of Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc. conceived and developed Data Storage University. "Due to the sheer breadth and depth of data storage products -- from Zip disks, to MP3 players, to Super DLT tape to wide area network (WAN) servers -- and the rising popularity of digital entertainment, it is imperative to educate people so that they can make the best decisions when storing their data and files," said Scott McNulty, Director of Marketing, Computer Products Division, Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc.

"If you've ever had to save a file to a floppy, fit a graphics-intensive PowerPoint presentation on a Zip disk or put an MP3 song on your flash memory card, then you are a data storage architect," McNulty added. "Data Storage University talks about storage in everyday, real-life terms to which we all can relate, and presents storage concepts in concise language, and through interactive labs. We're confident that all visitors to Data Storage University will find something that is useful and stimulating."

Wide Range of Innovative Features

Education on the DSU Web site is divided into a learning curriculum for data storage architects and a separate track for data storage resellers who must counsel customers.

DSU has a wide range of programs, resources, information and activities for those seeking to understand the storage choices available to users for different applications. The labs show how data is saved, how it is converted to bits and bytes, and how much storage is needed for typical real world applications.

These features include:

The DSA/DSR Certification Program

Through this program, which is in development, visitors will enroll in Data Storage University's one-week certification program in which individuals can be certified as either "Data Storage Architects" or "Data Storage Resellers" upon completion. Certification will require students to read the Data Storage University's textbook and to participate in Data Storage University's application laboratories. The certification program will help resellers to ensure that their sales staff can provide reliable support and useful information to customers. Certification will also offer unique benefits, including access to such tools as the DSU storage facility and photo lab, sales kits and promotional aids, the "Ask the Master DSA" reference engine and a listing in Data Storage University's DSA/DSR guide.

Application Laboratories

How much data goes into a photo, song or video? What does compression do to the quality of a picture? How is sound converted to binary? By participating in Data Storage University's imaginative Digital Imaging, Digital Audio, Digital Video and Mass Storage labs, students gain a hands-on understanding of how information is stored in its various digital forms.