Frost & Sullivan Recognizes Carestream NDT for Excellent Product Differentiation Strategies in the CR Inspection Systems Market

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., April 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Based on its recent analysis of the computed radiography (CR) inspection systems market, Frost & Sullivan recognizes Carestream NDT with the 2012 Global Frost & Sullivan Award for Product Differentiation Excellence. Since its introduction in mid-2009, the Carestream Industrex HPX-1 CR scanner has been a benchmark in the CR inspection systems market for its functionality and reliability. It is the only product that has been developed specifically for non-destructive testing (NDT) applications while taking into account the industry's specific needs.

"In a market dominated by medical scanners adapted to perform in NDT applications, the HPX-1 CR scanner emphasized the importance of accurate measurements in industrial environments and the differences of a product made specifically for the rigors of the NDT industry," said Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Nikhil Jain. "As a result, it has attracted a strong response from customers and seen rapid adoption."

Unlike competing products, the HPX-1 is extremely rugged and can survive the harshest of environments. It has passed extensive vibration, drop, and dust tests, which ensures accuracy and effective functioning.

As a customer-driven company, Carestream NDT has consistently developed products that are customized to the customer's needs, and the HPX-1 CR scanner is a perfect example of this initiative. Carestream went the extra mile to develop this product including many on-site visits by the design team to incorporate NDT customer suggestions and requirements. "Customer response to the HPX-1 has been outstanding," says Marty Graen, Vice President & Worldwide General Manager, NDT Solutions. "We've spent many years teaming our global imaging experts with our NDT customers to continuously improve this product; a computed radiography system designed from ground up for the specific needs of NDT professionals and applications.  Our customers are utilizing this system to improve their imaging capabilities, reduce their costs and optimize their workflow."

The features that stand out in HPX-1 include the flexibility to operate with rigid cassettes or flexible imaging plates, widest range of imaging plates in the industry, highly rugged construction specific for harsh NDT environments, halogen "smart" erase, and Industrex® advanced viewing software.

Compared to its competitors, HPX-1 can run imaging plates ranging from 70 mm to 14 inches in width and up to 60 inches in length. Additionally, the HPX-1 scanner is capable of scanning not only standard long and short plates, but also custom small and irregular-sized shapes used in specialty imaging, giving customers a very high level of flexibility and efficiency. The scanner's wide operating range provides the maximum material thickness coverage in a single shot. This is useful in decreasing the number of radiographic shots that are required to cover a given area, improving productivity and efficiency.

The halogen "smart" erase feature enables fast and effective high-intensity erase calculated for each scan based on the specific exposure the imaging plate received. The Industrex v4.1 digital viewing software provides powerful viewing and analysis tools with a user-friendly interface. The software is packaged with several high-end features such as EDGE® automatic image enhancement filters, pipe wall thickness tool, multiple measurement functions, networking capability, two or four split-screen capability to compare multiple images, and automatic file control tracking.

"Among others, the most important customized feature Carestream NDT has provided is the multiple internal fans and filters to keep dust, debris, and unfiltered air out of the system," noted Jain. "The scanner also sits on vibration-damping feet to isolate it from the industrial environment."

"Based on our history with Eastman Kodak, Carestream NDT brings over 75 years of knowledge and experience in imaging for the NDT industry," said Paul Biver, Director of Worldwide NDT Sales & Marketing.  "Our dedication to continuously improve our products and services has further enhanced Carestream's market identity of delivering quality, high-tech products."

For displaying true product differentiation excellence, Carestream NDT is the worthy recipient of the Frost & Sullivan 2012 Global Product Differentiation Excellence Award in the CR inspection systems market. Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents this award to the company that has developed a product with unique features/functionality as well as high quality for customers with complex needs. The award lauds the degree of the product's customization and the fit for evolving market trends, which ultimately results in a strong brand perception of the product as being unique.

Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Awards recognize companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis, and extensive secondary research to identify best practices in the industry.

About Carestream NDT

Carestream, Inc., is a leading provider of dental and medical imaging systems and healthcare IT solutions; molecular imaging systems for the life science research and drug discovery/development market segments; and x-ray film and digital x-ray products for the non-destructive testing market. The company was formed in 2007 when Onex Corporation purchased Eastman Kodak Company's Health Group. For more information about Carestream NDT visit ndt.carestream.com.

CARESTREAM and INDUSTREX are trademarks of Carestream, Inc.

KODAK is a trademark of Kodak used under license.

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SOURCE Frost & Sullivan