14 December 2011
Facebook App for Photo Book Print Launched
That’s where consumers want it, says Ecce Terram
According to photo industry surveys, most of the more than 800 million Facebook members use the social network to store and share digital photos with family members, friends and co-workers, using the platform’s “Photo Album” feature. The custom brandable app developed by Ecce Terram now clears the way for large retailers and photo services to generate new photo book orders from a so far underdeveloped source.
“Facebook has become the premier destination for consumers to share and store their photo memories,” says Frank Simon, president and CEO of Ecce Terram USA. “For retail chains and photo processing services, the white-label version of our photo book app for Facebook could well be the key to unlock the huge potential of this market.”
The new app is backed by Ecce Terram’s long-standing experience with large-scale software deployments for the photo industry. Order processing is handled by Ecce Terram’s Photo2Lab CentralHub middleware. The software facilitates complete solutions from photo ordering to processing in commercial labs, and also supports standard software installations, as well as customized for large photo processing centers.
Ecce Terram positions its photo book app for Facebook as a logical addition to the company’s order channel solutions for desktop, online, mobile and kiosk platforms. For large retail chains with the Photo2Lab infrastructure already in place, configuration and deployment of the new app to work with their existing order processing system can be completed within a matter of days.
“Time-to-market for new photo products and services is a major reason why large retailers have come to rely on Photo2Lab solutions provided by Ecce Terram,” says Jay Hitchens, Project Manager at ECCE TERRAM.
The German version of the photo book app for Facebook has already been successfully stress-tested during the strong start phase of Germany’s holiday shopping season on https://app.share-your-photostory.de/en/, which is bustling this year.
“The Photo2Lab enables our customers to connect with consumers literally anywhere, anytime they are ready to order photo products and services. Starting immediately, through the photobook app, that includes connecting with them during their ‘quality time’ on Facebook. That's when they appreciate offers the most which help strengthen their bonds with family and friends,” says Ecce Terram's president/CEO.
Facebook members who install the white-label version can then simply select an album on their Facebook page, choose a background color and pick an image frame. Once they have chosen the pictures to include, added short text comments (optional), defined the sort order and determined the cover photo, they can order the photo book to be shipped - all from within Facebook.
“By offering the new Ecce Terram photo book app, a customer can now enable consumers to create thoughtful, elegant photo book gifts, when and where it’s most convenient for them - on Facebook,” says Frank Simon. “For consumers, it allows them to free their photos from the fleeting digital domain, and create lasting gifts. For Ecce Terram customers, we expect it to significantly increase order volumes.”
Company Contact
ECCE TERRAM will present its apps for Facebook, mobile apps for a variety of platforms, and Version 2 of its Photo2Lab Online Client in Las Vegas from January 8 - 12, 2012. To schedule an appointment, please contact us via email at pma2012@ecce-terram.com or via phone at +1 678 244 1521 (EST) within the United States/Canada, +64 9 304 0709 within New Zealand/Australia, and +49 441 500 120 within Europe.
Media Contact
Gerd Meissner, Start Nimble Communications,
email pr@ecce-terram.com, Phone #: +1 888-839-6665
The photo within this press release can be found on http://www.ecce-terram.com/ci/
About Photo2lab
The Photo2Lab Software Suite offers a complete solution from photo ordering to processing in commercial labs. It includes software applications for Windows, Mac, and Linux, web components, and modules for CD processing or mobile platforms, like iOS and Android devices. The modern connection protocol TRON is freely available and is supported by a variety of third parties. These provide solutions for, among other things, set-top boxes or kiosk terminals. Along with order processing, aspects such as payment, promotion, and adaptation options for affiliates and partners are taken into consideration as part of a white brand solution. The products can be used to handle anything from photo prints to hardcover photo books, thus offering unique flexibility and openness with the goal of enabling solution customers to reduce costs and reach new target audiences.
In 2010, Photo2Lab installations handled orders with over 220 million digital photos, 500,000 photo albums and photo calendars.
For more information, visit http://www.ecce-terram.com/
About ECCE TERRAM
ECCE TERRAM was founded by Frank Simon in 1996. It has specialized in solutions for e-commerce for the photo industry, lab control, e-payment, and content management. The company's Internet applications are used by well-known companies in the photo industry and beyond. Company headquarters are located in Germany, in the U.S. and New Zealand.
Agency contact:
IITM LLP
Catalina Martínez, Head of International Communication
Washington, USA
Email: pr (at) iitm.info
Tel.: +1 202-470-3242
http://IITM.info
Labels: Facebook App, online photo services, photo books, photobooks, photographic industry, print processing
28 November 2011
Dead-ended? New Software Shows a Way Out for Photo Industry
HTML5-based solutions promise: less risk, more profits for retail chains, photo services.
London; Atlanta, GA; Oldenburg, Germany - 29/11/2011. Ecce Terram, a global digital imaging solutions company with headquarters in Atlanta, GA and Oldenburg, Germany, has introduced version 2 of its Photo2lab Online Client. The new software for online photo processing and ordering provides seamless social media integration and fully supports open standards like HTML5 - unique in a market where most industry-strength solutions are still based on Adobe's Flash™ technology.
Ecce Terram launches its new software in the wake of Adobe's recent announcement to abandon its Flash™ player for mobile platforms. Version 2 of the Photo2Lab Client covers the complete range of photo products - from prints, posters, and canvas to photo gifts, personal to print products such as photo books, postcards, and photo calendars. It is based on a critically acclaimed software architecture ("PMA Retailer Hot Pick 2010"), and optimized to support HTML5, the next-generation open web standard that is currently rapidly reshaping the way content and services are presented online.
Will solutions that support HTML5 present a future-safe alternative for large retailers and photo service providers, who are looking for a way out of a dead-end technology? Ecce Terram's new online client, for example, is already backed by the company's long-time experience with large-scale deployments for customers like a famously cost-conscious large European retailer.
"For large retail chains and photo service providers, the launch of our new Photo2Lab Online Client sends a clear message," says Frank Simon, president and CEO of Ecce Terram USA: "They will be able to offer the full range of modern photo products and mobile ease-of-use that today’s customers demand." Simon: "Due to Ecce Terram's strong commitment to HTML5, they will also be able to avoid the costly burden that comes with having to develop for outdated or highly proprietary mobile technology platforms."
By 2013, the customer base for photo services and products will have gone mobile, predicts Simon, pointing to recent industry surveys. With the launch of the new Photo2Lab Online Client, his company joins the ranks of companies - the largest ones are Apple, Google and Facebook - who in the past weeks have made clear that they see HTML5 as a technology platform that will dominate the way online media are used and interacted with, for years to come.
According to Ecce Terram, recent surveys indicate - and most industry analysts agree - that 2012 will be year where worldwide sales of smart phones and tablet computers will surpass those of desktop and notebook computers. "You don't want to bet your company's photo business on developer solutions that support outdated, or esoteric proprietary platforms," says Mr. Simon. "If you do that - within 18 months, you are likely to reach less than 50 percent of the online users your company should reach."
The rapid recent shift in the online and mobile technology field has many large providers of photo processing and product services, like pharmacy chains and large electronic retailers, worried about how to protect their existing investments, while being able to develop new product lines. Industry analysts familiar with the photo services market like Frank Baillargeon, founder and president of f/22 Consulting, agree with Ecce Terram's assessment: that the safest and most cost-efficient solutions will have to include full support for the HTML5 standard.
"HTML5 will make it far easier for photo retailers and their service providers to develop and deploy critical cross-platform mobile applications," says Baillargeon, whose Eagle, Idaho-based firm provides market research and consulting services to the photographic industry.
According to Baillargeon, the combination of quality image capture and immediate access to satisfying photo product shopping experiences on mobile devices "can and should represent massive revenue growth opportunities for retailers."
Illustration
Ecce Terram launches its new software in the wake of Adobe's recent announcement to abandon its Flash™ player for mobile platforms. Version 2 of the Photo2Lab Client covers the complete range of photo products - from prints, posters, and canvas to photo gifts, personal to print products such as photo books, postcards, and photo calendars. It is based on a critically acclaimed software architecture ("PMA Retailer Hot Pick 2010"), and optimized to support HTML5, the next-generation open web standard that is currently rapidly reshaping the way content and services are presented online.
Will solutions that support HTML5 present a future-safe alternative for large retailers and photo service providers, who are looking for a way out of a dead-end technology? Ecce Terram's new online client, for example, is already backed by the company's long-time experience with large-scale deployments for customers like a famously cost-conscious large European retailer.
"For large retail chains and photo service providers, the launch of our new Photo2Lab Online Client sends a clear message," says Frank Simon, president and CEO of Ecce Terram USA: "They will be able to offer the full range of modern photo products and mobile ease-of-use that today’s customers demand." Simon: "Due to Ecce Terram's strong commitment to HTML5, they will also be able to avoid the costly burden that comes with having to develop for outdated or highly proprietary mobile technology platforms."
By 2013, the customer base for photo services and products will have gone mobile, predicts Simon, pointing to recent industry surveys. With the launch of the new Photo2Lab Online Client, his company joins the ranks of companies - the largest ones are Apple, Google and Facebook - who in the past weeks have made clear that they see HTML5 as a technology platform that will dominate the way online media are used and interacted with, for years to come.
According to Ecce Terram, recent surveys indicate - and most industry analysts agree - that 2012 will be year where worldwide sales of smart phones and tablet computers will surpass those of desktop and notebook computers. "You don't want to bet your company's photo business on developer solutions that support outdated, or esoteric proprietary platforms," says Mr. Simon. "If you do that - within 18 months, you are likely to reach less than 50 percent of the online users your company should reach."
The rapid recent shift in the online and mobile technology field has many large providers of photo processing and product services, like pharmacy chains and large electronic retailers, worried about how to protect their existing investments, while being able to develop new product lines. Industry analysts familiar with the photo services market like Frank Baillargeon, founder and president of f/22 Consulting, agree with Ecce Terram's assessment: that the safest and most cost-efficient solutions will have to include full support for the HTML5 standard.
"HTML5 will make it far easier for photo retailers and their service providers to develop and deploy critical cross-platform mobile applications," says Baillargeon, whose Eagle, Idaho-based firm provides market research and consulting services to the photographic industry.
According to Baillargeon, the combination of quality image capture and immediate access to satisfying photo product shopping experiences on mobile devices "can and should represent massive revenue growth opportunities for retailers."
Illustration
Print and online use, including on blogs, encouraged with coverage pertaining to this news release and the topic covered therein. All others: source credit required: "Source: © http://www.Ecce-Terram.com . All rights reserved."
You can download the illustration from our Media CI Page: http://www.Ecce-Terram.com/ci//
You can download the illustration from our Media CI Page: http://www.Ecce-Terram.com/ci//
About ECCE TERRAM
ECCE TERRAM was founded by Frank Simon in 1996. It has specialized in solutions for e-commerce for the photo industry, lab control, e-payment, and content management. The company's Internet applications are used by well-known companies in the photo industry and beyond. Company headquarters are located in Germany, in the U.S. and New Zealand.
About Photo2lab
The Photo2Lab Software Suite offers a complete solution from photo ordering to processing in commercial labs. It includes software applications for Windows, Mac, and Linux, web components, and modules for CD processing or mobile platforms, like iOS and Android devices. The modern connection protocol TRON is freely available and is supported by a variety of third parties. These provide solutions for, among other things, set-top boxes or kiosk terminals. Along with order processing, aspects such as payment, promotion, and adaptation options for affiliates and partners are taken into consideration as part of a white brand solution. The products can be used to handle anything from photo prints to hardcover photo albums, thus offering unique flexibility and openness with the goal of enabling solution customers to reduce costs and reach new target audiences.
In 2010, Photo2Lab installations handled orders with over 220 million digital photos, 500,000 photo albums and photo calendars.
Company Contact
ECCE TERRAM will present Version 2 of its Photo2Lab Online Client in Las Vegas from January 8 - 12, 2012. To schedule an appointment, please contact us by email at pma2012@ecce-terram.com or call us on +1 678 244 1521 (EST) within the United States/Canada, +64 9 304 0709 within New Zealand/Australia, and +49 441 500 120 within Europe.
Agency contact:
IITM LLP
Catalina Martínez
Head of International Communication
London, UK
Email: pr (at) iitm.info
Tel.: 020 76177469
http://IITM.info
The Photo2Lab Software Suite offers a complete solution from photo ordering to processing in commercial labs. It includes software applications for Windows, Mac, and Linux, web components, and modules for CD processing or mobile platforms, like iOS and Android devices. The modern connection protocol TRON is freely available and is supported by a variety of third parties. These provide solutions for, among other things, set-top boxes or kiosk terminals. Along with order processing, aspects such as payment, promotion, and adaptation options for affiliates and partners are taken into consideration as part of a white brand solution. The products can be used to handle anything from photo prints to hardcover photo albums, thus offering unique flexibility and openness with the goal of enabling solution customers to reduce costs and reach new target audiences.
In 2010, Photo2Lab installations handled orders with over 220 million digital photos, 500,000 photo albums and photo calendars.
Company Contact
ECCE TERRAM will present Version 2 of its Photo2Lab Online Client in Las Vegas from January 8 - 12, 2012. To schedule an appointment, please contact us by email at pma2012@ecce-terram.com or call us on +1 678 244 1521 (EST) within the United States/Canada, +64 9 304 0709 within New Zealand/Australia, and +49 441 500 120 within Europe.
Agency contact:
IITM LLP
Catalina Martínez
Head of International Communication
London, UK
Email: pr (at) iitm.info
Tel.: 020 76177469
http://IITM.info
Labels: flash, HTML5, mobile applications, online photo services, photographic industry, print processing, retail systems
08 November 2011
Photographic paper calendars withstanding the magnifying glass test!
Cambridge. 8 Nov. 2011. - The advantages of true photographic paper are evident at first glance: bright colours and very high detail reproduced on considerably stronger paper. As lab processed photographic paper is exposed without printing grids, printing dots will not be found, not even with a magnifying glass. This leads to a more balanced colour reproduction and sharper detail. That way, anyone can create their own photographic calendars in professional print quality with bright colours, even as a one off print.FotoInsight’s Managing Director Klaas Brumann says about the use of silk matt photographic paper in photo albums and personalised calendars: "If high quality prints are required, you can only achieve a corresponding print through the exposure on real photographic paper. FotoInsight is a quality printer and raises the bar every year."
Britain's largest range of photo calendars
The online photo service FotoInsight has been offering one of the widest ranges of photo calendars for many years, now FotoInsight increases the range with six new calendars on photographic paper.
How to design a photo calendar on photographic paper?
At FotoInsight there are two ways to design a photo calendar. The easiest way to quickly create a personal calendar is directly in the webbrowser on Fotoinsight’s the website. It requires no software to be installed, and there are a large number of formats and calendars to choose from. Users who want more control over the design of the photo calendar or those who would like to create different variants of a calendar layout should use the free FotoInsight Designer application:- Choose a calendar format and size and consider the orientation: Square, portrait or landscape from http://fotoinsight.co.uk/calendars.html
- Select the starting month and year.
- Choose the calendar page and layout, add images and change backgrounds as preferred. There is no limit to the number of pictures per page and it even allows to create picture collage on calendar pages. A nice personal touch is created by adding additional passport size photos at birthdays and wedding anniversaries.
- Upload own photo calendar design.
- After logging in choose the payment form and order a calendar print with the option to have it shipped to a separate delivery address, for example as a gift.
The software can be used offline and an Internet connection is not required during the design process. The calendar print file will be compressed to the optimum size before transmission to the print server without sacrificing quality.
Labels: Christmas, gloss, glossy calendars with your own pictures, photo gifts, photo paper calendar, print, product innovation, professional quality, satin photo calendars, wall calendars
12 October 2011
Chocolate Advent Calendar with own photograph
FotoInsight presents a special Advent calendar with your own picture and 24 chocolate balls in festive wrapping as an alternative to mass produced Advent calendars.
Cambridge. 13/10/2011. - The origins of the Advent calendar go back at least as early as the beginning of the 19th century, with children physically counting down the first 24 days of December. Advent calendars used to be important craft projects, though nowadays most families use commercial Advent images purchased in department stores.
Create your own Advent calendar, without glue or scissors
If you don’t want to serve your loved ones an off-the-shelf Advent calendar, but rather create your own or design an Advent calendar with photos reviving the best moments of the year, you will find this easier with FotoInsight. The online photo service now offers to print a digital photograph onto a chocolate filled Advent calendar. The Advent calendar starts on the first of December and its 24 little doors conceal tasty milk chocolate balls in festive wrapping. Those who have a nice picture to print can give their loved ones a very happy Advent with their very personal photo Advent calendar.
Information on the Chocolate Advent Calendar with own photographSince 10 October FotoInsight offers chocolate-filled photo Advent calendars in size 23.5 x 17.8 x 2.5 cm (W x H x D). A picture uploaded over the Internet will be printed onto the 28.5 x 22.8 cm large print area (of which 2.5 cm per side folds over the edges of the chocolate box) and it costs £9.99. The usual 24 doors conceal 24 Christmas wrapped milk chocolate balls. Delivery time: six working days.
Labels: chocolate Advent calendars, Christmas calendar, personal, personalized, photo Advent calendar, printed, with chocolate, with your own photo
21 September 2011
New: High-gloss Photo Calendars
For five years Printing-1 has been offering its customers the opportunity to create their personalized photo books. In addition to canvas prints, photo books and photo book calendars, Printing-1 is now offering wall calendars with an optional high-gloss finish. For the high-gloss option, the calendar’s pages are sealed with an environmentally friendly gloss coating that gives the images brilliance and sharpness in every detail.Gloss
For the glossy option, each calendar page will be sealed after the digital print with a glossy, protective coating. This UV varnish improves the appearance and colour brilliance, coming close to the quality of photographic prints, without using temperature-sensitive PE photo paper.
Environmentally friendly gloss on photo calendars
Customers can choose from eight different photo calendar formats. Thanks to the “glossy” option, the picture surface is protected from wear and fading, which ensures a long life for the calendar images and memories. Those using the glossy option can do this with a good environmental conscience, because the direct digital printing doesn’t use chemically developed PE photo paper; and the materials and processes used have been scrutinized under the environmental management norm ISO 14001 *.
Introductory offer:
For those who want to review the photo calendars there is an additional incentive, because Printing-1 introduces its new photo calendars with £10 off on the first order. The coupon code "PRIXUK" is valid on the goods ordered by new customers till 30/10/2011.
How to create a photo calendar?
Printing-1 photo calendars have a page for each month and a cover sheet. With thirteen or more digital images, creating an individual photo calendar takes just five simple steps:
- Select the calendar format: portrait, landscape or square. At Printing-1 the size can still be increased or reduced later.
- Choose the starting month and year.
- Select the calendar template and layout, insert images and choose background colours. Inserting small portrait pictures on birthdays gives a nice personal touch.
- Upload the photo calendar design to the Printing-1 server.
- Log into the online account with Printing-1 to share with friends with an individual access to the photo calendar (or photo book) layout by email, where they can order copies at their own expense if they wish. From the online account, photo calendar prints can be ordered at any time.
Photo book specialist
Printing-1 offers a Windows and MacOS compatible online photo service, which can be used with images from any digital camera and specialises in photo books, calendars and canvas prints. The professional printing processes allow Printing-1 to produce photo books in "pocket" format with ring-or laminated binding from 7,95 €. The postage is £ 4.90 for the UK, Ireland, Europe and the USA. Between the Pocket and the Premium (40x30 cm) sizes, Printing-1 offers another five intermediate formats with up to 250 pages. The costs for the gloss-finish option are 30 pence per page on the large ‘Photo Book Maxi’ (30x30 cm).
* ISO 14001 is a standard for environmental management systems. The aim of the standard is to reduce the environmental footprint of a business and to decrease the pollution and waste a business produces.
Printing-1 offers a Windows and MacOS compatible online photo service, which can be used with images from any digital camera and specialises in photo books, calendars and canvas prints. The professional printing processes allow Printing-1 to produce photo books in "pocket" format with ring-or laminated binding from 7,95 €. The postage is £ 4.90 for the UK, Ireland, Europe and the USA. Between the Pocket and the Premium (40x30 cm) sizes, Printing-1 offers another five intermediate formats with up to 250 pages. The costs for the gloss-finish option are 30 pence per page on the large ‘Photo Book Maxi’ (30x30 cm).
* ISO 14001 is a standard for environmental management systems. The aim of the standard is to reduce the environmental footprint of a business and to decrease the pollution and waste a business produces.
Labels: brilliant, calendars, Christmas gifts, glossy paper, glossy photo calendars, own photos, print, product innovation, shining, wall calendar
09 May 2011
Gallery Prints Mounted on Alu-Dibond
FotoInsight is now offering to print customer photos as posters in gallery quality, mounted onto a light and strong ‘aluminium composite panel’.
The online photo service FotoInsight adds a new product category to its range of photo print products: Poster prints on real photographic paper are processed in gallery quality and mounted using a self-adhesive foil onto aluminium composite panel. The quality panel used is the ‘Alu-Dibond’ brand which is often used in professional applications like exhibitions and store design due its quality, dimensional stability and low weight.
Aluminium Composite Panel
The poster will be exposed on real photographic paper and then mounted on aluminium Dibond. Dibond is an aluminium composite panel, consisting of two 0.3 mm thick aluminium layers and a core of polyethylene. It is light and can be three-dimensionally formed using an ‘edge cutter’ or bender.
The poster will be exposed on real photographic paper and then mounted on aluminium Dibond. Dibond is an aluminium composite panel, consisting of two 0.3 mm thick aluminium layers and a core of polyethylene. It is light and can be three-dimensionally formed using an ‘edge cutter’ or bender.
Collage Poster
A collage with several photographs laid out on a poster print, acrylic glass poster or a photo canvas is a new option with all of FotoInsight’s large format prints. The collage poster option also includes many design templates which help to create stunning decorative prints.
Real photographic paper
Unlike at poster print-shops, FotoInsight processes images on real photographic paper, which are then mounted with high quality adhesive film onto an Alu-Dibond panel. This material consists of a plastic core and two aluminium plates. Lightweight, dimensionally stable and durable posters on aluminium composite panel offer a wide variety of applications.
Frames from Nielsen-Bainbridge
In FotoInsight’s online shop pictures can be optionally matched with a suitable quality frame from leading brand Nielsen-Bainbridge. The print will then be delivered ready framed.
Who uses Alu-Dibond
Aluminium composite panels are used in shops, exhibitions and galleries. FotoInsight makes it easy for private individuals as well as professionals to create high-quality prints on Alu-Dibond of their own photographs, to decorate a home or office. The Managing Director of FotoInsight Klaas Brumann says: "The Alu-Dibond poster is the top trend in modern decoration."
Product information
Material: Photographic paper posters mounted on 3 mm thick Alu-Dibond
Formats, approx.: 20x30 cm, 30x45 cm 40x60 cm and 50x75 cm
Recommended Resolutions:
for 20x30 cm: 1200x1800 pixels (2.1 megapixels)
for 30x45 cm: 1800x2700 pixels (4.6 megapixels)
for 40x60 cm: 2000x3000 pixels (6 megapixels)
for 50x75 cm: 2500x3750 pixels (9 megapixel)
Depending on the chosen design template, the necessary resolution can be lower.
Delivery time: 7 working days
Cost: from £34.99 (plus p&p).
Unlike at poster print-shops, FotoInsight processes images on real photographic paper, which are then mounted with high quality adhesive film onto an Alu-Dibond panel. This material consists of a plastic core and two aluminium plates. Lightweight, dimensionally stable and durable posters on aluminium composite panel offer a wide variety of applications.
Frames from Nielsen-Bainbridge
In FotoInsight’s online shop pictures can be optionally matched with a suitable quality frame from leading brand Nielsen-Bainbridge. The print will then be delivered ready framed.
Who uses Alu-Dibond
Aluminium composite panels are used in shops, exhibitions and galleries. FotoInsight makes it easy for private individuals as well as professionals to create high-quality prints on Alu-Dibond of their own photographs, to decorate a home or office. The Managing Director of FotoInsight Klaas Brumann says: "The Alu-Dibond poster is the top trend in modern decoration."
Product information
Material: Photographic paper posters mounted on 3 mm thick Alu-Dibond
Formats, approx.: 20x30 cm, 30x45 cm 40x60 cm and 50x75 cm
Recommended Resolutions:
for 20x30 cm: 1200x1800 pixels (2.1 megapixels)
for 30x45 cm: 1800x2700 pixels (4.6 megapixels)
for 40x60 cm: 2000x3000 pixels (6 megapixels)
for 50x75 cm: 2500x3750 pixels (9 megapixel)
Depending on the chosen design template, the necessary resolution can be lower.
Delivery time: 7 working days
Cost: from £34.99 (plus p&p).
Labels: alu-dibond posters, aluminium composite panel, decorative photographic prints, frames, gallery print, large format photographs, photo collage printing, photo poster
21 March 2011
ObviousIdea! with New Ideas!
ObviousIdea! is a new Internet business created in 2011 by one of the founders of VSO-Software SARL, to develop and promote personal computer software, web services and mobile applications.
Toulouse. 21 March 2011. - After months of discussion, ObviousIdea! is finally announcing the sale of its shares in VSO-Software SARL, another software publisher based in Toulouse, which provides popular software with a global customer base particularly in the fields of file conversion and DVD recording applications.
Why this news is important for ObviousIdea! ?
The completed deal is equivalent to a US$700,000 first round fund raising in cash for the new venture, but it also includes a catalog of popular software products from VSO-Software and their corresponding database of registered users. This database of users and products will help to introduce new projects as upgrades become available. Fabrice Meuwissen, the CEO and founder of ObviousIdea!, previously shareholder and CEO of VSO-Software states: “the agreement reached makes me very confident for the future of our new venture, as the most difficult task is to build a brand and a community of users”.
Investments in start-ups and new companies
Serial entrepreneur Fabrice Meuwissen is planning to invest in start-ups and new companies. “As I won’t be able to spend all the money available in my new venture, I want to give some of it back to the community to help others, like I would have appreciated to be helped myself”, says Mr Meuwissen, “Toulouse has France’s largest University and a lively hi-tech scene. It’s something I am already doing here as a business angel, but with the web traffic of our new ventures I will be able to help both with money and online exposure”.
ObviousIdea!’s aim is to be a consumer centric company, users will participate actively in the life of software products, suggesting new features, deciding where and how to implement the action and services. “I am sick of companies whose support staff don’t bother to react to suggestions customers make by email, if you are lucky enough to receive a reply at all” says Mr Meuwissen: “It is something so easy to set up with social networks and specialized tools such as Uservoice, or SnapEngage. You need to engage the user in every process of your company if you want to be successful, however many millions you may have in your bank account”.
Recruitment drive
But… ObviousIdea! is already facing a challenge, which is to build a larger team of developers ( php, jquery, html5, .net, Delphi, css guru ), community managers, and enthusiasts. The new company owner states that the biggest issue for now will be to recruit to be sure the new projects will be released on time.
About ObviousIdea!
ObviousIdea! was founded in 2011 as a breakaway from VSO Software SARL. It holds a portfolio of popular software applications in the areas of GPS, photography, photo sharing, compression and web communities. ObviousIdea! was founded by Fabrice Meuwissen, who is a usability expert and consultant in Strategic Marketing graduated from Stanford University in 2010. Fabrice was previously Product manager in a Text-To-Speech company and partnership manager in a international e-commerce solution for Mac OS.
Information for Journalists
For questions or if you would like to test any software products as a journalist please contact us on tel. +44 (0)20 76177469 or email pr (at) iitm.info . ObviousIdea! also offer promotions and software for reader offers.
Logos and image material: http://www.obviousidea.com/press_material/
Contact
Logos and image material: http://www.obviousidea.com/press_material/
Contact
ObviousIdea
+33 (0)9 72 12 29 92
contact (at) obviousidea.com
http://www.facebook.com/obviousidea
http://twitter.com/obviousidea
Agency contact:
+33 (0)9 72 12 29 92
contact (at) obviousidea.com
http://www.facebook.com/obviousidea
http://twitter.com/obviousidea
Agency contact:
IITM LLP
Catalina Martínez, Head of International Communication
London, UK
Email: pr (at) iitm.info
Tel. UK: 020 76177469
Catalina Martínez, Head of International Communication
London, UK
Email: pr (at) iitm.info
Tel. UK: 020 76177469
Novedades fotografía, software, Internet y telecomunicación
Communiqués de presse photo, logiciels, Internet et tecnologie
Pressemeddelelsesnetværk om software, internet, telekommunikation, digitalt fotografi og e-commerce
Pressmeddelande om mjukvara, internet, telekommunikation, digital fotografering och e-handel
Labels: compression and web communities, Fabrice Meuwissen, Facebook, GPS, ObviousIdea, photo sharing, photography, social networks, software, VSO-Software
14 March 2011
A product innovation for increased colour intensity in photobooks
FotoInsight launches its hi-gloss photobooks today. The new glossy finish is a product innovation producing more intense colours and crisp pictures. High gloss photobooks are treated with a protective varnish.
Cambridge. 14 March 2011. - FotoInsight broadens its range of photo books with shine. Unlike some glossy photobooks simply produced on glossy paper, FotoInsight’s new hi-gloss is achieved by applying a protective coating to the photo book pages. In an additional step at the end of the print process a PU varnish will be heat-treated, achieving an even, durable hi-gloss finish, producing brilliant, shiny colours.
The individual design and order process follows the same familiar steps as already known from FotoInsight’s Designer software. The high gloss finish is available in the glossy photobook formats Panorama and XL. The extra cost for the hi-gloss finish on the 26 page A4 Panorama photo book is £6.20.
The individual design and order process follows the same familiar steps as already known from FotoInsight’s Designer software. The high gloss finish is available in the glossy photobook formats Panorama and XL. The extra cost for the hi-gloss finish on the 26 page A4 Panorama photo book is £6.20.
The Environmentally Friendly Choice
Hi-gloss photo books are available in the formats Large Panorama (about A4) and XL (about 12” x 12”) with 26 to 154 pages (in increments of 8 pages). Every FotoInsight photobook is printed on paper produced under the guidelines for sustainable forestry.
Bespoke photobooks are as durable as coffee table photo books from book shops. All materials used are subject to extensive testing and are guaranteed by their manufacturers to last 100 years. The glossy finish not only looks better, it also protects the photobook pages’ surface.
FotoInsight’s Managing Director Klaas Brumann comments on the new high gloss photobooks: “In addition to printed photo books and photo albums on photographic paper all produced at market leading print resolution of 300 dpi, FotoInsight offers now the hi-gloss finish on the most popular photo book formats. Ideal for anyone in search of a glossy, coffee table style photobook. Among hundreds of sizes and formats with different finishes and page numbers ranging form 26 to 154 pages per book there is a photo book format for every budget and occasion.”
Bespoke photobooks are as durable as coffee table photo books from book shops. All materials used are subject to extensive testing and are guaranteed by their manufacturers to last 100 years. The glossy finish not only looks better, it also protects the photobook pages’ surface.
FotoInsight’s Managing Director Klaas Brumann comments on the new high gloss photobooks: “In addition to printed photo books and photo albums on photographic paper all produced at market leading print resolution of 300 dpi, FotoInsight offers now the hi-gloss finish on the most popular photo book formats. Ideal for anyone in search of a glossy, coffee table style photobook. Among hundreds of sizes and formats with different finishes and page numbers ranging form 26 to 154 pages per book there is a photo book format for every budget and occasion.”
Labels: CEWE photobooks, create, design, gloss photo book, glossy photobook, hi-gloss photo books, print, software
02 February 2011
Photo Acrylic Prints Growing Popularity
FotoInsight is launching today acrylic poster prints as an additional, high value decorative photo product.
Cambridge. 1/2/2011. - Acrylic-Glass Printing is a trend from the world of advertising and art exhibitions that is coming to offices and living rooms. Acrylic Photo Glass Prints are often described as "behind glass print". To achieve the highest print resolution, FotoInsight produces the image on real photographic paper and secures it with a special, completely transparent adhesive to a sheet of acrylic glass. FotoInsight’s new acrylic posters do without metal knobs that are needed in less developed acrylic print processes to hold the acrylic glass and print together. As light passes through the side of the acrylic it illuminates the image, giving it additional depth and colour brilliance. This turns digital photographs into highly decorative posters in no time.
The standard of digital cameras has improved considerably. Many have good lenses, high resolution and accurate reproduction of the colours in photographs. Who shoots great pictures wants to print some of them to decorate a home or office. Bright colors, high resolution and depth effect are the ideal components for decorative, large poster prints from digital images. These characteristics are combined in the new acrylic photo prints from FotoInsight. The new acryl print enlargements feature brilliant colours and produce a certain plasticity. The thick acrylic plate adds a great quality impression. Users will welcome the fact that the acrylic photos are easy to clean and long lasting. FotoInsight describes the acrylic material used as "top spec Polymethylmethacrylate with a minimum thickness of 5 mm, which offers a higher scratch resistance than other acrylic products."
FotoInsight’s Managing Director Klaas Brumann talking about the new acrylic print: "Our new posters behind acrylic glass offer greater dimensional stability, UV resistance and durability. Our acrylic posters are not only stronger but also more resilient." The Premium version available from size 40 x 60 cm is 1 cm thick. This gives it more visual depth than other acrylic prints currently on the market. 
According to the Marketing Director of FotoInsight the material is characterized by its rigidity and shatter-resistance, eliminating any fraying of the edges and distortion that could otherwise be caused by storage and temperature fluctuations. Sunlight and moist wipes leave the photo prints unaffected. Prints on acrylic glass are particularly suitable for collages and digital pictures with vibrant colours. The acrylic sheet helps to increase the effect of depth in pictures. The quality processing suits its use in photographic exhibitions and due to its excellent visual appeal, it is used in prestigious art galleries and exhibitions around the world.
Product information
Material: Photographic paper poster behind 5 mm or 10 mm thick acrylic glass.
The sizes 20x30 cm (11.8"x7.9") and 30x45 cm (15.7"x11.8") use 0.5 cm strong acryl. The premium formats 40x60 cm (23.6"x15.7") and 50x75 cm (29.5"x19.7") come with a 1 cm strong sheet of acrylyl.
Turn around time: about 7 working days.
Labels: Acrylic poster prints, crystal, gift ideas, heart pillow, key ring, photo, Photo calendar, photo canvas, photo gifts, photo heart, Valentines Day
09 December 2010
New Photo Calendar Models Arriving
Cambridge. 9/DEC/2010. - FotoInsight is launching a new website in ecember to improve the online in-browser design experience for photo calendars. In the new website, Fotoinsight’s customers will be able to create individual photo calendars without having to download additional software. With this development come also new photo calendars on photo paper.
Calendars on photographic paperPhotographic paper has come a long way over the past two hundred years. Quality photographic paper offers sharp details, brilliant, true colours and proven longevity.
The new range of calendars on photographic paper is comprehensive, ranging from a desktop calendar with CD case size display for £9.99 to the practical A4 wall calendar and a new 30×30cm (12"×12") square format to the known A3 photo calendar. The photo calendars in A3 are now available not just in portrait format, but as an A3 landscape photo calendar. For those who want their pictures to be big, there’s the new A2 photo calendar size 40.6×60.9cm (16"×24").
Large photo calendar A2 landscape So far FotoInsight’s photo calendar range has covered everything from desktop calendars, practical kitchen calendars, and compact A4 format to A3 wall calendars. Now FotoInsight goes one larger with the A2 wall appointment calendar. This new calendar is 59.4×42cm (23½"×16½") large and offers more space for pictures and notes. FotoInsight’s Managing Director says about the A2 landscape photo calendar: “With this large photo calendar everyone has the opportunity to make individual calendars which will exceed professionally mass produced calendars from a bookshop in quality, brilliance and durability.”
A new gift idea: Name calendars
Name calendars are a great gift idea for any opportunity like as a Christmas present, on birthdays or as a name-day gift idea. His or her name will come in a different picture every month.
The integrated name feature creates personalised name calendars within minutes. Simply add a name - a picture for each month with the name drawn in will be automatically personalised. Modern computer technology will seamlessly integrate the name into each of the twelve months’ pictures creating a unique, personalised calendar gift.
Dedicated to a name!
Thanks to the different materials and many sizes, shapes, formats and calendar templates available there should be a calendar suitable for each space or occasion. Photo calendars are a great gift idea all year around, as the user can set the starting month freely. Therefore calendars can run along the academic year or from Mother’s Day to Mother’s Day.
Labels: own photographs, Photo calendar, photo paper, photocalendars, photographic calendars, picture calendar, printed, printing, software
20 September 2010
FotoInsight announces new "Designer v.4.6" Photo Book Software at Photokina.
Cologne, 21/09/2010. - To provide space where the favourite photographs can shine, photo book services like FotoInsight are constantly improving their software and their range. The latest FotoInsight Designer software upgrade incorporates many suggestions from a SirValuse Usability study and features apart from an enhanced navigation many new tools.
Automatic photo book size conversion
Until recently, when designing a CEWE PHOTO BOOK, it could only be ordered in the same size. The new FotoInsight Designer can now convert CEWE PHOTO BOOK layouts from one size into another of the same shape. For example, from a square Photo Book XL in size 12" x 12" (30 x 30 cm), users can now get a smaller square size 8" x 8" (20 x 20 cm) or a larger square size 16" x 16" (40 x 40 cm), adjusted automatically based on the original layout. The same can be done to photo books in portrait or panorama format.
Editing Assistant now recognizes human faces
The software upgrade will be shown at Photokina and will be launched as a free download from October 2010. Its Layout Assistant has been improved and can now recognise faces. That way the automatic layout assistant can now avoid covering faces on photographs. Users will also be able to create custom CEWE PHOTO BOOK Layout-Styles, for the Assistant to use when creating automatic photo book layouts.
New photographic calendars, new features
For demanding photographers wanting to create large calendars FotoInsight is now adding the size A3 photo calendar also in panorama format. Photo calendars on real photographic paper can also be designed in FotoInsight Designer v.4.6. Real photographic paper developed in a professional photo lab guarantees brilliant colours and superior durability.
The colour schemes of the application's calendar templates received a make-over and the application can now also display bank holidays in photo calendars.
More photo gifts
The software upgrade also features the option to choose the pages in spiral-bound photo cover note pads (A5 and A4) with the option of lined or graph paper. In general FotoInsight is increasing the user's choice. For example it is now possible to give each greeting card in a set of greeting cards an individual design.
The Managing Director of FotoInsight Klaas Brumann comments: "The new photo calendars on photographic paper and the new CEWE PHOTO BOOK XXL Panorama provide an impressive environment to preserve the favourite pictures from holidays and events in shiny quality. Books can be accessed at any time. Unlike videos and images on digital media there will never be compatibility problems with future digital standards. With your FotoInsight Photo Book simply turn the pages and enjoy, now and in a hundred years."
Labels: album, books, business, CEWE, photo book, photobook, photobooks, photokina, printed, printing, small print run, software
09 June 2010
Let's honour the modern father
Cambridge. 9 June 2010. - The modern day father comes in various forms. Today’s father is no longer always the traditional, married breadwinner and disciplinarian in the family. He may leave the house to go to work or work from home, he can be single or married; gay or straight; a biological, adoptive or step-parent; and a more than capable caregiver to children facing the physical or psychological challenges of growing up.
Well into the nineteenth century, fathers’ roles were primarily to serve as breadwinners and the conveyers of moral values and religious education to their offspring. However, with the advent of industrialization and urbanization and as factories emerged as major sources of employment, several generations of fathers became distanced from the household and their families.
Family patterns in the post-industrial society are changing again. With a large proportion of mothers leaving home -many providing household income- the arrival of the Internet and distant working opportunities, many modern fathers' roles involve them much more in the home.
When celebrating fatherhood, it is time to remember that like any other member of the family, fathers too have their own interests and lives. Despite the changes in the male role, the contemporary debate recognizes men commonly as being competitive and with a greater need to ream. Even many modern fathers follow sport events in a group of friends. What could the loving football fan enjoy more than his own 'World Cup ware'?
A sport bottle personalised with own photographs and texts for the gym or a bike ride or a traditional one pint beer mug with image onprint are presents for Dads with a difference. Creating a unique supporter shirt, caps or a bbq apron for a World-Cup-Party at home is fun. For the bread winner who leaves to his office a crystal pen holder block with a laser engraved photograph will avoid having to leave the family totally back home.
The ideal modern father is the one who parents from his heart and models respect towards his children’s mother, who wears an apron too and can be seen using a mop, a washing machine, or any home appliance that was taboo in past generations, one who thinks his responsibility as a father is more than bread-winning and disciplining, one who cares not just for the physical needs but bonds with his children and supports their emotional needs.
Well into the nineteenth century, fathers’ roles were primarily to serve as breadwinners and the conveyers of moral values and religious education to their offspring. However, with the advent of industrialization and urbanization and as factories emerged as major sources of employment, several generations of fathers became distanced from the household and their families.
Family patterns in the post-industrial society are changing again. With a large proportion of mothers leaving home -many providing household income- the arrival of the Internet and distant working opportunities, many modern fathers' roles involve them much more in the home.
When celebrating fatherhood, it is time to remember that like any other member of the family, fathers too have their own interests and lives. Despite the changes in the male role, the contemporary debate recognizes men commonly as being competitive and with a greater need to ream. Even many modern fathers follow sport events in a group of friends. What could the loving football fan enjoy more than his own 'World Cup ware'?
A sport bottle personalised with own photographs and texts for the gym or a bike ride or a traditional one pint beer mug with image onprint are presents for Dads with a difference. Creating a unique supporter shirt, caps or a bbq apron for a World-Cup-Party at home is fun. For the bread winner who leaves to his office a crystal pen holder block with a laser engraved photograph will avoid having to leave the family totally back home.
The ideal modern father is the one who parents from his heart and models respect towards his children’s mother, who wears an apron too and can be seen using a mop, a washing machine, or any home appliance that was taboo in past generations, one who thinks his responsibility as a father is more than bread-winning and disciplining, one who cares not just for the physical needs but bonds with his children and supports their emotional needs.
About FotoInsight Limited
FotoInsight Limited was founded in Cambridge in 2003 and runs an easy to use digital photo processing service for Windows, Mac OS and Linux users, offering an extensive array of award-winning photographic print and photo gifts as well as the photo books, photo poster and photos on canvas printing. Prints ordered through FotoInsight are developed at five state of the art photo labs in three countries. The online photo service has grown year on year faster than the photo processing industry and has expanded its services in seven European languages in 32 countries.
Labels: cap, Father's day, gift idea, photo mug, print, shirt, sports bottle, water flask
