DIGITAL PHOTO KIOSKS bring new meanings to the term photofinishing and the future prospects for "D & P" in Pharmacies.
The PMA Australian Pharmacy Group was established over a year ago and the second annual meeting was held at the PMA's Australian Convention at Darling Harbour Sydney on Sunday 23rd of May 2004.

The whole theme of the PMA Convention was dominated by talk and presentations on the future of Digital Imaging - and to a lesser extent, what's happening to D&P as we know it?

The Chairman of the group James Delahunty of Brisbane (who owns five pharmacies in the Brisbane Area - three of them with minilabs and, was also a pioneer of minilabs in Australia) welcomed the audience to the meeting where the agenda was based on digital kiosks with presentations from the major suppliers Agfa, Kodak, Konica, Fuji and Whitetech.
He also stressed that Cameraphones are becoming the largest single new product ever seen and that they too would need to have prints made in the future.

The meeting Chairperson Terry Herfort owns two pharmacies in the Sydney area, one of which has a kiosk. He has however had extensive experience in the minilab area having only recently sold a large photographic pharmacy.

Herfort stated that the meeting would deal with the state of processing in pharmacy and how it is, and will be affected by the "digital revolution. In the past year there have been significant changes in the photo industry giving as examples the Konica Minolta merger… Noritsu and Kodak having separate stands at the exhibition… Hanimex being bought out by Fujifilm and, a company such as Whitech selling kiosks in competition with the regular manufacturers.
He felt strongly that the biggest revolution for pharmacy is the appearance and proliferation of the DIGITAL PHOTO KIOSK

"He stated that if ever there has been a an opportunity for pharmacy, this is it!"

Points made were that they are inexpensive ($25,000 as against $250,000 for a digital minilab)…. There is no plumbing, no chemistry…. They have a very small footprint and as such can be moved around the shop (usually on wheels) and finally that the paper itself is not light sensitive.

During the meeting the presenters made various points as follows - it is hoped to bring synopses of their presentations to readers and update the situation over the next few months.

Current statistics show that printing from digital cameras occurs in three areas:

1. Home printing, which after an initial surge has begun to level off and is likely to remain a popular pastime and hence an opportunity for retailers to supply home printers, paper and inks.
2. Printing in digital minilabs, which is the definite growing segment. All printing is on photographic paper, still regarded as the top material with the longest life.
3. Digital kiosks where consumers are beginning to go in huge numbers and is obviously the growth area with the consumer able to stand at the kiosk and make his or her own selection and in many cases print them on the spot - these usually use inkjet or thermal processes. Claims are now being made by the paper manufacturers that the longevity of these prints are coming close to tat of photographic paper.

Presentations at the meeting were made by
Michael Mashman (National Products Manager - Konica-Minolta Photo Imaging).
Peter Kolomyjec (National Accounts Manager - Pharmacy- Fujifilm)
David Santer (Sales Manager, National Accounts - Kodak))
Michael Theodos (Marketing Manager- Whitech)
Tracy Lints (Sales Manager Oceania, Consumer Imaging - AGFA)

Finally Alex Mitchell (Marketing Manager Intellipharm) spoke about the development of IT service and development software solutions for pharmacy.

There was some interesting discussion and questions asked - it was also suggested that future meetings would take place in the early mornings at conferences and that groups in various areas may whish to hold their own discussion groups

Membership to the PMA Pharmacy Group is available to non-member readers of i2P E-Magazine at a special convention trial offer of only $50 (Normally at least $165).
This will extend to September 2005 and will include receipt of PMA's Australian Newsline, Photo Marketing Magazine and newsletters such as "Minilab Focus."

The PMA website is filled with information and it's "Daily Newsline" is probably the most informative Newsletter in the worldwide photo industry. Check the link below and take a visit:

http://www.pmai.org/international/australia/Australia.htm

For details either contact PMA Australian Office at pmaaustralia@pmai.org or Les Brener at lesbrener@ozemail.com.au
James Delahunty and Terry Herfort have indicated that they too would be happy to assist.