Imation Launches Enhanced Profiling Tool for Verifi Accurate Web Color

Free, Easy-to-Use Tool Enables Online Shoppers to More Confidently Purchase Products When Color is Integral to the Purchasing Decision

OAKDALE, Minn.--Dec. 20, 2001--

Imation Corp. (NYSE:IMN) today announced a new, enhanced profiling tool for Verifi(TM) Accurate Web Color, its industry-leading online tool for providing accurate color on the web. The new version of the Verifi profiler minimizes the end-user process for profiling the monitor and more accurately describes and captures the behavior of the end-user`s monitor and graphics system, making it the most accurate and easy to use software-only monitor profiling system available on the web today.

Verifi Accurate Web Color is a server-based Internet technology that dynamically modifies color images to compensate for the differences inherent in the way monitors display color. The Verifi system allows e-commerce business and consumer users to confidently purchase, or otherwise make decisions about products presented online when color accuracy is important. The color management system of choice for some of the most demanding online color requirements -- cosmetics, interior design and graphic arts -- the Verifi system has recently been installed on Dermablend.com, a division of L`Oreal Cosmetics and the market leader in corrective makeup; BlueBolt.com, a software tool for interiors industry professionals that facilitates the specification process for interior finishes; and Workbook.com, the online version of the most comprehensive national directory of creative talent for the graphic arts industry.

"When we embarked on updating the Verifi profiler, our goal was simple," said Dave Veilleux, Director, marketing and business development, Imation Internet Technology. "We wanted to make the profiling process simple and quick while fostering an experience that maximized end-user confidence. This has been achieved while also maintaining a very high level of accuracy within the profiling outcome." Verifi technology processes images "on the fly" to serve the exact image for an individual user`s monitor profile. "In the Web-world without Verifi color, all visitors to a particular page receive the same image. Because every monitor displays colors differently, these visitors perceive that same image differently. In the Web-world powered by Verifi Accurate Web Color, each visitor to a particular page receives a slightly different image so they all perceive that item the same. The Verifi profiler accurately accounts for the color variability attributed to monitor design and age, graphics card types and manufacturers, operating systems and web browsers."

The new user interface is the result of extensive business and consumer end-user research. Imation teamed with Human Factors International for human factors engineering and usability guidance on this project. "While the original Verifi profiler took only a couple of minutes to complete, interviews with both consumer and business users found they wanted something easier and quicker," said Dr. Mike Nelson, Consulting Director, Human Factors International. "We conducted usability testing to measure acceptability and preferences and the result is a new profiler consisting of only three web pages. The process is completed in less than half the time required to complete other `equivalent` processes." Dr. Nelson also noted that the way users decide on the visual adjustments was redesigned to give them more confidence in their settings.

Supported with graphic illustrations rather than long text blocks, the new interface provides a smooth user-friendly experience. The interactive interface employs "slider bars," that provide immediate user feedback and results in confidence that the task being accomplished is correct. (One can profile his/her monitor by going to http://www.verifi.net). When these simple steps are completed, a sample image employing the result of the completed monitor profile is displayed. Because the new profiler is fast and easily understood by the end-user, it instills confidence in the technology, lowers end-user resistance and facilitates their accurate completion of the process.

Launched globally, the Verifi profiler is available in English, French, Italian, German and Spanish languages to best support the European market as well as to support non-English speaking end-users.

The Verifi profiler is compatible with most popular web browsers including Netscape Navigator and Microsoft Internet Explorer running on Microsoft Windows and Apple MacOS.

Verifi Color Services

Online color has traditionally been a problem because no two computers display color alike and often the images placed on the web are of inferior quality. An important component of the Verifi Accurate Web Color solution is the color consulting services offered by Imation Color Technologies. Before an image goes on a site enabled by Verifi technology, it is audited and/or prepped to ensure that it in fact is descriptive of the actual item. "The old industry saying, `garbage in - garbage out` is particularly true when attempting to present accurate color on the web," said Veilleux. "Ensuring source images are accurate is a significant improvement in the delivery of accurate color to the Web. Even if a visitor to a site enabled by Verifi technology chooses not to go through the profiling process, they receive a much improved color experience because of Imation Verifi Color Services which are part of client benefits."

Verifi technology is an enterprise solution where clients retain total control of their own images. Because the Verifi software application resides on an image server at a site chosen by the client (either self-hosted or co-location partner), it can easily be incorporated into an organization`s existing web architecture. Verifi technology is non-invasive to the end-user - i.e., it uses no browser plug-ins nor does it require applications to be downloaded. This eliminates security and privacy issues that would otherwise be attributed to it. Verifi technology users are not asked to subscribe to a site, log in, or select a password.

To learn more about how the Verifi system works, visit www.verifi.net. A demonstration of the Verifi Accurate Web Color technology can be viewed at www.verifi.net/confidencecolor.

About Imation Corp.

Imation Corp. is a $1.2 billion global company widely recognized as a leader in removable data storage and color image management.