Features - Enterprise Data Insights:

FUJIFILM OPENS DOOR TO DATA STORAGE UNIVERSITY

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, 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 Website 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.

Within the Data Storage Reseller area, there is a comprehensive industry time line and a Media Mentor Product Guide that will educate resellers about standard data formats and products currently available in the industry.

Data Storage University's Textbook

Data Storage University's textbook walks students through a range of chapters, starting with "The History of Data" and "What is Data Storage?" to the inner workings of fixed and removable media as well as magnetic, optical and flash memory formats. Its crisp writing style and lively illustrations make learning about even the most complex data storage topics entertaining and simple. There also is a glossary that defines commonly used data storage terms.

DSU Resource Center and "Converse" Forum

The DSU textbook is part of a larger knowledge bank that includes the glossary, full search capabilities, links to other industry resources and current news from the data storage industry.

In the "Converse" Forum, DSU is working to foster industry dialogue about storage issues, including the development of a dedicated chat room and bulletin board. Upon graduation, Data Storage University visitors can download a unique interactive analyzer tool (at this time for PC users only) that will provide numerous features, including news research, a compatibility guide and a unique e-Comparison guide, a storage account and content analysis tools. For more information about Data Storage University, visit the Website at www.datastorageuniversity.com or please call 800-488-3854. For additional information about the Fujifilm Computer Products Division, visit: www.fujifilmmediasource.com.

About Fujifilm

Fuji Photo Film U.S.A. Inc is the U.S. marketing subsidiary of Fuji Photo Film Co Ltd of Tokyo (FUJIY), a leading global manufacturer in three business segments, including Imaging Solutions, Information Solutions and Document Solutions. Recognized for its technological innovation and high quality, Fujifilm offers a complete portfolio of imaging, information and document products, services and e-solutions to retailers, consumers, professionals and business customers.

The complete Fujifilm product portfolio in the U.S.A. includes: professional and consumer film and cameras; digital imaging products, including cameras and printers for commercial and consumer use; digital minilabs and kiosks; photographic paper and photofinishing supplies; professional motion picture film; high-capacity floppy disks, CDs and DVDs, tape cartridges and other data storage media; videotape and audiocassettes; professional and consumer optical discs; microfilm and other micrographic products; and graphic arts film, conventional and digital printing plates, analog and digital color proofing systems, drum and flatbed scanners, imagesetters and computer-to-plate systems. Fujicolor Processing Inc, a subsidiary of Fuji Photo Film U.S.A. Inc, provides wholesale photofinishing through a network of laboratories across the country. Fujifilm e-Systems is a subsidiary of Fuji Photo Film U.S.A. Inc, that develops workflow solutions to support the company's photofinishing labs and consumer photographic businesses, including online imaging services such as Fujifilm.net.

For more information on Fujifilm products, consumers can call 800-800-FUJI or access the Fujifilm USA Website at www.fujifilm.com. For answers to frequently asked questions and software download, consumers can access Fujifilm's technical support Website at www.fujifilmsupport.com.

Contact: Mark Haviland, 914/789-7916, mark--haviland@fujifilm.com.