In the case of yearbooks, the publisher takes the images and converts them to a printed page, employing yet another method for image creation. When the students and schools use more than one photographer, and the photographers and the different labs generate CDs in their own formats, it is more difficult, time consuming and costly to coordinate the data, images and publishing of yearbooks. The problem is similar to the situation that would exist if audio compact disks could not be played on every CD player. By using a standard format, a greater number of vendor choices would exist for the school and increase the level of satisfaction. At the same time, technology is changing.
Any guideline promoting a coordinated system needs flexibility for the future.
The ultimate goal is to satisfy the customer - the school. It is believed that satisfaction can be increased by creating common readable files for the transmission of digital images and associated data from the school photographer to the yearbook publisher in a format that is as efficient and consistent as possible. By specifying a guideline to which the product should conform, the school has the means to measure the value of what they are acquiring, and can make comparisons between suppliers. While the format for the product is not the only element for price comparison, use of a common format makes the comparison simpler. Creating an easier interchangeability of images and data files between image providers and users.