PictureVision purchased 90 Sun StorEdge A1000 arrays

PictureVision's technologies form the framework of a worldwide digital imaging network that binds together both consumers and photo retailers providing a new way to enjoy and profit from the growing demand for online photography. In 1998, PictureVision's premier technology, PhotoNet Online, was incorporated into the world's leading online photo services including Kodak PhotoNet online, Sony's ImageStation on PhotoNet and America Online's (AOL) "You've Got Pictures!," which is to be released in early 1999, with the intent of making online digital photography as common as e-mail. PictureVision's technology allows consumers to store digital photographs on the Internet rather than waste precious hard-drive space on their personal computers.

The need for PictureVision's investment in leading technology solutions from Sun Microsystems is a result of several factors. In early 1998, PictureVision became an independent subsidiary of photographic giant, Eastman Kodak Company. The Kodak-PictureVision partnership created one digital photography network - Kodak PhotoNet online - and resulted in the PhotoNet service becoming available at 40,000 processing locations nationwide, including all locations offering Kodak Premium Processing. Today, millions of images a month are being digitized using PictureVision technology and systems. That volume is expected to increase through strategic partnerships like the one between Kodak and America Online, where AOL's 12 plus million members will soon be able to utilize Kodak PhotoNet online with a new service, "You've Got Pictures!," increasing the need for enhanced storage technology.

These digital photographs will be stored in Online Photo Centers(OPC) consisting of Sun Ultra 60 servers and dual-array Sun StorEdge A1000 solutions. The scalability and flexibility of the Sun StorEdge and Sun servers running the Solaris Operating Environment software will allow the OPCs to process thousands of images a month with minimal downtime. The Sun StorEdge A1000 array and the Sun Ultra 60 server provide a fully integrated solution that is capable of supporting PictureVision's growing storage requirements. The OPC's will be installed in Kodak Premium Processing Locations in the United States, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Japan.

With each Sun StorEdge array able to expand up to 144 gigabytes, PictureVision will have the ability to support its growth through existing hardware rather than switch systems all together.