Lexar Looking Beyond Digital Film Business
By Doug Olenick -- TWICE, 12/20/1999
Lexar Media is looking to expand the role it plays in the digital camera category from simply supplying digital film in the form of flash memory cards to a full-line photography company.
Lexar's view of being a fully integrated photography company does not include coming out with a line of cameras, but it does plan to develop online and brick & mortar programs that would enable consumers to have one place where their digital print needs are met.
A definitive launch date was not available from the company, but Jack Peterson, Lexar's VP of consumer products, hinted something could be up and running during 2000.
"At Lexar our goal is to be like Kodak," Peterson said. "Kodak sells film, but makes its money on all the services and processing it offers. We would like to get into digital print services."
Lexar's spin on this business model has the company using its flash memory cards to draw customers to a specific Web site where they would be offered the processing services. Peterson said customers can choose to use other similar online services, but by channeling the end user to a specific site it would create a captured audience.
In addition, Lexar plans to own the processing system and not outsource like other companies. This will generate additional profit for the company, Peterson said.
The retail aspect of the deal could see Lexar partnered with a chain where customers could go to pick up their prints or use an in-store Lexar kiosk to download their digital images.
"Lots of people like picking their pictures up in a store, so this would give them an option they are familiar with," the VP said.
No related content found.
VIEW ALL GALLERIES