Bits & Bytes

Ready to print with PictureStation System

Retailers across America are snatching up Sony Electronics’ new PictureStation retail digital photofinishing systems.

The PictureStation systems come in two standard configurations, a counter-top unit and freestanding kiosk. Designed for retail environments whose digital camera customers are looking for photo-like prints in minutes, Sony’s new systems provide consumers with fast, easy-to-use digital photo printing services.

The PictureStation systems are a part of a global Print By Sony™ campaign. The campaign logo appears on all print media, equipment, and signage, signaling a commitment of quality and consistency that both retailers and consumers can identify.

“We’re convinced that PictureStation systems will be adopted widely across the retail landscape, including drugstores, quickprint service bureaus, consumer electronics retailers, mass merchants, and, of course, photo specialty stores,” says Steven Blum, vice president of digital photography at Sony Electronics’ Business Solutions and Systems Company. “Each of these retailers can use Sony’s PictureStation systems as the springboard of a marketing strategy to build and enhance their digital photofinishing business.”

“As digital cameras continue to enter the mainstream, consumers will increasingly search for easy and cost-effective ways to print their digital images,” says Kerry Flatley, a research analyst at InfoTrends Research Group, a market research firm in Boston. “The availability of Sony’s PictureStation system will expand the printing options accessible to digital camera users, and in turn allow retailers to capture some of the growing digital printing market.”

Among the retailers offering the PictureStation digital photo finishing service to their customers is B&H Photo-Video in New York.

“Customers love receiving prints immediately,” says Henry Posner, director of sales and training for B&H Photo-Video. “Customers come into B&H to use the Sony PictureStation system because they have gone on vacation, or they have an exciting event and they want a digital photofinishing system they can use quickly, simply, and effectively.”

Bergen County Camera, a Westwood, NJ-based independent photo specialty retailer, recently installed a countertop PictureStation system in its store.

“Before we installed Sony’s PictureStation system, we would have to process digital printing requests by either burning a CD and sending it out or very laboriously printing the images ourselves on an inkjet printer,” says Tom Gramegna, president of Bergen County Camera. “Customers find the PictureStation experience very easy and gratifying. They like the idea of actually going home with the pictures they want in just one visit.”

“We like to bring people over who are contemplating the purchase of a digital camera,” Gramegna adds. “We show them how easy it is to put the memory card into the PictureStation system and leave with a print immediately.”

With its small footprint, the countertop PictureStation system fits neatly on the top of a retail counter to save valuable floor space. Made up of two separate components, the customer ordering terminal and the photo printer, the unit is easy to install and it allows retailers to provide personalized behind-the counter service to their customers. The freestanding kiosk allows customers to order their pictures and print them out at one convenient terminal.

The PictureStation systems accept images recorded on standard removable media, including Memory Stick® media, Smart Media™ card, CompactFlash™ Card, mini CD-ROMs, and floppy discs.

The cornerstone of the PictureStation systems is their high-speed digital printers. Sony’s new UPD-R100 printer is integrated into the systems and supports three borderless print sizes—31/2”x 5”, 4”x 6”, and 5”x 7”— as well as a choice of matte or glossy finishes. The printer media incorporates Sony’s lamination coating, for extended durability. The stand-alone PictureStation printers are also available to support third-party applications, while allowing for the adoption of the Print By Sony identity.

The PictureStation systems are available directly from Sony. The suggested list prices for Sony’s countertop system and freestanding kiosk are $7,995 and $10,995, respectively.

For more information, visit www.sony.com/digitalphotography.