Release of ACDSee 3.0 and Distribution by Canon Sales
Co., Inc.
December 9, 1999
Victoria, BC -- ACD Systems International Inc. (CDNX: ASA) announced today the
immediate availability of ACDSee, version 3.0. ACD Systems is well established in the
development of digital imaging products and is continually expanding their first-class
Digital Image product line. ACD Systems' success in electronic sales over the Internet
has allowed the company to establish significant market penetration with an estimated
15 million users worldwide.
ACDSee 3.0 is a fast, full-featured image viewer, browser, database, file management,
and image manipulation tool in one. This first-class software supports over 40 popular
image formats and allows users to view, manage, and print images and thumbnails. The
latest release of ACDSee has extended photo enhancement features such as crop,
resize, and colour balance. ACDSee 3.0 will allow customers to send and share pictures
over the Internet as well as view, browse, and search inside ZIP and LZH files. With
ACDSee 3.0 users can also play WAV files in the software's preview window.
In order to encourage and invite 3rd party development, ACD Systems will be introducing
3rd party plug-in features for ACDSee 3.0 early in the new year. This new development
model will allow consumers to combine the power and reliability of ACDSee with
cutting-edge wavelet-based image compression software.
ACDSee, version 3.0, will be the first ACD product to be marketed pursuant to a
Licensing Agreement with Canon Sales Co., Inc. in Japan, a subsidiary of Canon Inc.
Canon Inc., headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a leading manufacturer of cameras,
business machines and optical products, with 1998 sales of 2,836 billion yen (US$24.4
billion). In April 1999, ACD Systems International Inc. granted Canon a two-year,
non-exclusive license to produce and distribute Japanese language versions of ACD's
line of imaging software. Canon intends to distribute Japanese versions of the ACD
products through their retail and business distribution channels. Further, the Canon
Group has agreed to fund marketing and advertising activities promoting the sales of
ACD products in Japan. All expenses incurred in the replication, distribution and
marketing activities pursuant to the Licensing Agreement will be borne by the Canon
Group. Canon will pay ACD a per unit royalty. Kaoru Hirose, the President of Canon
Systems Globalization, Inc. states that, "I am encouraged by the business potential of
ACD Systems Ltd.'s products in Japan, and I am confident that the Licensing
Agreement is the beginning of a long-term successful relationship between Canon and
ACD Systems Ltd."
"Digital Imaging is one of the fastest growing niches in the market place today," says
David Hooper, Vice President of Software Development and Lead Developer of ACD
Systems' Digital Imaging software. "ACDSee 3.0 is the perfect solution for Digital Image
Management," adds Mr. Hooper. "It is image viewing at its very best." Consumer interest
in ACD Systems' imaging product line has grown to the point where users have
downloaded over 1 million copies of ACD Systems' products in the last three months,
with over 480,000 in November alone.
In addition to software products for digital image management, ACD Systems develops
innovative software for private instant messaging. ACD Systems has developed a line of
"Express" products for real-time network messaging in Windows.
ACD Systems International Inc. designs, develops and markets leading edge Digital
Imaging and Network Communications Technologies. The Company has established
significant market penetration by utilizing an Internet-based sales and distribution model
with an estimated 15 million users worldwide. In addition, the Company has over 12,000
corporate customers that include many Fortune 500 companies.
ACD Systems International Inc., based in Victoria, British Columbia, has been actively
developing software since 1993. Its shares are listed for trading on the Canadian Venture
Exchange under the symbol ASA. For more information visit www.acdsystems.com
For further information, contact Martin Winstanley, Vice President Corporate Affairs, at
(250) 382-5828, or by electronic mail at: martin@acdsystems.com.
ACD Systems
Phone: (250) 382-5828 or 1-800-819-2207 (US)
E-mail: info@acdnet.com
THE CANADIAN VENTURE EXCHANGE NEITHER APPROVES NOR DISAPPROVES THE INFORMATION
CONTAINED HEREIN. |
