POLYVISION INTRODUCES WORLD’S FIRST CALIBRATION-FREE INTERACTIVE WHITEBOARDS
New board virtually eliminates projection alignment time

(22 June, 2005) – A new technology launched this week consigns manual calibration of interactive whiteboards to history.

PolyVision is again transforming the interactive whiteboard market with the introduction of Lightning™, the first and only calibration-free interactive whiteboards in the industry, solving one of the biggest frustrations experienced by users. Each of these revolutionary new whiteboards is equipped with the patent pending Lightning technology that completely eliminates the need for manual calibration.

Calibration is required for a whiteboard to work properly with a projector. But almost 60 per cent of respondents questioned for a major survey at a leading education show said that calibration is the most frustrating issue they face in using interactive whiteboards, as this is the most time-consuming aspect of setting up.

Thirty seven per cent of respondents said boards needed to be re-calibrated between one and six times each day.

This level of user dissatisfaction uncovered a strong need and inspired PolyVision to create the world’s first calibration-free interactive whiteboards, reducing set up time from an average of three minutes to mere seconds.

With the simple push of the projection button on the Walk-and-Talk™ interactive whiteboards or the projection icon on the TS interactive whiteboards, calibration occurs instantly.

Calibration is always required for a board to work effectively when interactive whiteboards are used with projectors. If a projector is moved or knocked during a lesson or meeting, it is necessary to re-calibrate the whiteboard. This interrupts the session, distracting the audience and presenter, and wastes valuable time as the projector is realigned and the whiteboard surface touched at up to 16 different points before resuming a session.

President and CEO of PolyVision, Mike Dunn, says, “We have listened very carefully to viewpoints from users associated with the use of interactive whiteboards. We have also observed users panicking and fumbling to get their interactive whiteboards set up before a presentation. PolyVision has responded with a solution that removes yet another barrier to interactive whiteboard use and eliminates the frustration surrounding calibration. No other manufacturer has been able to do this which continues to make PolyVision’s interactive whiteboards the easiest to use products available in the marketplace.”

Walk-and-Talk Lightning and TS Lightning will be available in Autumn 2005.

For further information:
Marcus Edgar/Jennifer Janson
Six Degrees
01628 480280 or email marcus.edgar@sixdegreespr.com

About PolyVision Corporation, a Steelcase Company
PolyVision Corporation enhances the way people learn, work, and communicate visually through a broad portfolio of visual communication products. Since 1954, PolyVision focuses on creating products and services that inspire users to be more productive, effective, and creative when collaborating and communicating visually. Whether it is developing the world’s number one selling P 3 ceramicsteel™ surface, or creating the industry’s first multimedia whiteboard system, PolyVision has an unparalleled track record of new breakthroughs in the visual communication market. For more information, visit www.polyvision.com.

About Steelcase Inc.
Steelcase Inc., a Fortune 500 company, helps individuals and organizations around the world to work more effectively by providing knowledge, products and services that enable customers and their consultants to create work environments that integrate architecture, furniture and technology. Founded in 1912 and headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the company has led the global office furniture industry in sales every year since 1974. Its product portfolio includes interior architectural products, furniture systems, technology products, seating, lighting, storage and related products and services. Fiscal 2003 revenue was approximately $2.6 billion. Steelcase Inc. and its subsidiaries have dealers in more than 900 locations, manufacturing facilities in over 50 locations and approximately 16,000 employees around the world. The company’s Class A Common Stock trades on the NYSE under the symbol SCS. For more information, visit www.steelcase.com.

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