Luminous PrintersWeb Software Brings Electronic Commerce to Production Service Providers' Total Digital Workflow

New York (April 23, 1997) - Luminous Technology Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of imaging and information company Imation Corp. (NYSE:IMN), today unveiled Luminous™ PrintersWeb™ software, a commercially available database-driven, shrink-wrapped Web site product for commercial printers and their customers.

Luminous PrintersWeb software offers production service providers an interactive, database-driven Web site right out of the box, or gives providers who have Web sites already the ability to extend or customize the services of their existing Web site. The software is pre-configured such that customers' MIS staff or an Internet developer can readily install it without the need to research the software components usually required to create a Web site.

Being database-driven, Web sites using PrintersWeb software will have enhanced real-time service capabilities, turning static home pages into interactive Web sites where data can be generated, updated, and exchanged "on-the-fly."

Luminous PrintersWeb software is expected to be available in second quarter, 1997.

Luminous PrintersWeb software will help increase print professionals' productivity through its pre-packaged services designed specifically for the graphic arts industry, which can be tailored according to user needs. Services include job submission with customizable job tickets through a variety of file transfer methods from both the Apple® Mac® OS and Microsoft® Windows® operating systems, 24-hour customer service access, job tracking, job status checks, client account updating, job estimation, scheduling and on-line quotes.

"As the graphic arts industry continues to migrate to digital platforms, using the World Wide Web for true interaction with customers will show technological leadership for service providers," said Richard McCormick, Luminous PrintersWeb software product manager. "PrintersWeb software is designed to work within customers' existing and planned digital workflows and be used as a virtual customer service center."

Industry Standards

Luminous PrintersWeb software will combine industry standard Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) protocols with a database engine, thus providing increased interactivity between service providers and their customers. The software will consist of a Microsoft Access database engine and a set of customizable Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) pages. The customer's database is connected to the Web server via a Common Gateway Interface (CGI) script, created using WebDBC from StormCloud Development. All user interaction with PrintersWeb software will be conducted across computing platforms using common Web browsing software.

Because Luminous PrintersWeb software supports the Microsoft ODBC protocol, systems administrators can choose from a variety of database engines - such as the Microsoft Structured Query Langugage (SQL) server - and platforms for their database server. Database and server flexibility allows for system scalability as users' needs grow. For those service providers without a database engine, PrintersWeb software will include a Microsoft Access database file.

The file transfer protocols supported by Luminous PrintersWeb software will be HyperText Transfer Procotol (HTTP), File Transfer Prococol (FTP) using Anarchie and Dartmouth Fetch, and email notifications. In addition, PrintersWeb software can be tightly integrated with Luminous Virtual Network® software for high speed telecommunications transmission to predetermined destinations.

Luminous PrintersWeb Software Users and Services

Potential users of PrintersWeb software fall into two categories: Hosts and Clients. Hosts include managers, operators and customer service representatives of commercial print shops. Hosts also may be prepress service providers and graphic arts professionals who realize the potential for Internet commerce and need a Web site tailor-made for their industry. Clients include customers of service providers who are interested in conducting job-related transactions over the Internet.

Luminous PrintersWeb software will be organized around a set of "services" that define privileges for each type of user. Examples of some Host services include adding a Client to the system, updating job status, and viewing a report of all jobs currently in production. Examples of services provided to Clients include job submission, determing job status, and submission of job specifications for a cost estimate.

Virtual Customer Service

Luminous PrintersWeb software will serve as a hub for client file transfer activities. For example, after a designer has completed a page layout, the publication job is transferred to a production service provider for preparation of the layout in its final form - print output, CD ROM or Web publishing. To get an on-line job estimate, the designer can access the service provider's Web site, based on Luminous PrintersWeb software, which has been customized according to the service provider's needs. Using a variety of file transfer protocols, the designer can then send the completed job and job ticket over the Internet to the service provider through PrintersWeb software.

Once received by the service provider, the job can be placed manually into the service provider's workflow, or automatically placed into the service provider's workflow through a Luminous OPEN™ (Open Production ENvironment) Pipeline. Throughout the production process, the service provider can send the designer status reports on the job while the designer can track the job from the PrintersWeb-based Web site.

System Requirements

To run the Luminous PrintersWeb-based Web site, the recommended system configuration should include an Intel Pentium-based PC (166 MHz or faster), 32 MB RAM, 1-3 GB of available hard disk space, an Internet connection running Microsoft Windows NT™ 4.0 (if to be used outside of an intranet) with Internet Information Servicer 2.0 or better, a TCP/IP-compatible network connection, and an SMTP-compatible mail program (for automated email).

Luminous PrintersWeb software users can access all available functions by using almost any Web browser that supports frames and JavaScript, such as Netscape Navigator 2.02 or higher, and Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.01a or higher.

While Luminous PrintersWeb software includes a Microsoft® Access (.mbd) database file, any ODBC-compliant database with an identical schema can be substituted in its place.

Pricing and Availability

Luminous PrintersWeb software is expected to be available worldwide in second quarter 1997 for a suggested retail price of $6,995 (U.S.). Pricing may vary by country. The software will be available from Luminous Authorized graphic arts resellers.

About Luminous Technology Corporation and Imation Corp.

Luminous Technology Corporation is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Imation Corp., a recent spin-off company from 3M. Based in Seattle, Wa., Luminous develops software products, services and technologies for the prepress, print production, and graphic arts industries that support the shift to digital prepress and printing, as well as to expand media production for business intranets and the World Wide Web. Luminous serves its customers from regional sales offices and distribution channels around the world.

Imation supplies a variety of products and services worldwide for the imaging and information industry. The company manufactures and markets digital and conventional color proofing systems, including the industry standard Matchprint™ color proofing system, imagesetting materials, printing plates, graphic arts films, carbonless paper products and chemistries to customers worldwide. The company generated revenues of approximately $2.3 billion in 1996. Imation employs approximately 9,400 people and is based in Oakdale, Minn.

Additional information about Imation is available on the company's Web site at www.imation.com, by calling Luminous toll-free at (888) 466-3456, or through the company's toll-free shareholder information line at (888) IMN-NYSE (466-6973).

Copyright 1996 Imation. All rights reserved.