DÜSSELDORF, GERMANY, May 31-Kodak is launching a Web 2.0 community for graphic communications businesses. Kodak's Graphic Community is an online world where users can build strategic relationships with business partners anywhere to create new revenue opportunities.

Kodak is providing membership in this community free to all users of KODAK INSITE Software Version 5.5 and to users of upcoming releases of products from the newly acquired Design2Launch, a Kodak company. Community members can browse the membership; identify partners with whom to develop business relationships; and then link together to create efficient marketing and production supply chains that can foster expansion and growth.

Kodak's Graphic Community is a true Web 2.0 environment, established to promote efficiencies and collaboration between Kodak's workflow customers. Kodak does not charge any transaction fees nor does it define the terms or manage the business relationships between the members of the community.

"Personal and business networks on the Internet are an essential way that many people interact in today's world," said Judi Hess, General Manager, Enterprise Solutions, Kodak's Graphic Communications Group (GCG), and Vice President, Eastman Kodak Company. "Kodak's Graphic Community is built just for graphic communications businesses, so it is the perfect way for Kodak customers-whether they are very experienced or novice networkers-to capitalize on the potential that online communities offer."

When INSITE Software users join the community, information they provide about their business can be viewed by other members on the secure Graphic Community website. Users can browse the network to make business connections based on key criteria, including location and production capabilities. Members can then link together to form their own peer to -peer "My Networks," allowing them to exchange job content and information in an efficient and automated way.

Print service providers in Kodak's Graphic Community can establish networks to provide distributed print services; load balance their production during peak periods; fill available press capacity during slow periods; and even outsource products that they are unable to produce themselves. For example, printers who don't have a digital print capability can begin offering those services to their customers, yet have them produced via a community member until they have the demand to support the purchase of their press.

For enterprise marketers, Kodak's Graphic Community provides an efficient marketing supply chain that makes it easier to manage integrated cross media marketing programs across the entire lifecycle, from design and development through production and measurement. Printed collateral ordering and production can be automated and optimized to reduce logistics, costs and waste.

"With Kodak, enterprise marketers have access to a 'digitized' end to end solution that enables global businesses to easily manage cross media marketing programs from inception through production. Users even get real time visibility and metrics," said Ron Malloy, Global Vice President, Sales and Business Strategy, Corporate Solutions, GCG. "The Graphic Community is another indicator of why Kodak is a leader in the corporate solutions market."

"Kodak's Graphic Community promotes a new ecosystem for the growth of graphic communications business, allowing users to broaden their reach, and improve services and offerings," said Jon Bracken, Vice President of Marketing, Enterprise Solutions, GCG. "It's a virtual meeting place for printers, marketers, brand owners, and agencies to communicate and collaborate better. By working together, we believe members will be able to improve production, shorten time to market and increase profitability for all participants."