PolyVision Announces Two Becta-Compliant Interactive Whiteboard
Solutions for the U.K. Marketplace

(27 October, 2004) - PolyVision continues to build on its success in the United Kingdom with new Becta-compliant versions of its Walk-and-Talk™ and TS Series of interactive whiteboards.

Educators have been asking to buy PolyVision’s TS Series as part of the Becta Whiteboard Initiative; now they can purchase the newly-compliant Series powered by one of the most popular teaching software programs in classrooms today. Effective immediately, Becta-compliant TS Series interactive whiteboards are available with Easiteach® Studio software, produced by UK-based RM. Easiteach Studio offers a wide range of cross-curricular teaching tools, combined with a multi-media format that brings any lesson to life on an interactive whiteboard.

“PolyVision’s core competency is in information appliances designed to enhance the teaching process, not in content software,” said Mike Dunn, PolyVision president and CEO. “It’s not fair to the consumer to offer content software just for the sake of having it. We’re thrilled to provide our TS Series, a product with outstanding price points, exceptional functionality, and world-class support, with Easiteach Studio, a software program that is truly tailored for use in the classroom. Add in the Becta seal of approval, and our proposition greatly exceeds that of any of our competitors.”

PolyVision is the only company to offer both a standard series interactive whiteboard, as well as the next generation in interactive technology: the Walk-and-Talk Series. PolyVision’s Walk-and-Talk interactive whiteboard offers state-of-the-art performance in the area of ease-of-use, with unique features that enable every user, from beginner to expert, to begin using the board immediately with little to no training. The Becta-compliant version of the Walk-and-Talk interactive whiteboard is also available with Easiteach Studio software.

Highlights of PolyVision’s two Becta-compliant products include:

• TS Series Interactive Whiteboard – Ideal for teachers who prefer software-based interactive whiteboards, the TS Series helps to enhance lessons and engage students. Its user-friendly icons provide easy board navigation with no free-floating tool bars. No special pens are necessary so instructors can write on the board with standard, dry-wipe marker pens and control all computer applications by touching the board with their finger or a stylus.
  
• Walk-and-Talk Interactive Whiteboard - This ground-breaking interactive whiteboard encompasses PolyVision’s unique user insights, designed to increase the adoption of technology products by making them as easy to operate as televisions. The Walk-and-Talk board’s simplicity stems from two standout components: proprietary PolyKey™ technology enabling instant plug-and-play, so any user, regardless of experience level, can operate the board without learning new software or pre-loading it to their PC; and an intuitive remote control that gives teachers the flexibility to move about their classrooms while controlling all key functions of the board.

“By way of these two different interactive whiteboards, we are able to offer UK educators separate price points as well as different user experiences,” said Dunn.

Becta-compliant Walk-and-Talk and TS Series of interactive whiteboards are available in the United Kingdom through Becta framework contract resellers. For a complete listing, visit www.polyvision.com/uk.

About PolyVision Corporation, a Steelcase Company
PolyVision Corporation enhances the way people learn, work, and communicate visually through a broad portfolio of products. Since 1954, PolyVision has focused 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 P³ ceramicsteel™ surface, or creating the industry’s first walk-up-and-use interactive whiteboard, PolyVision has an unparalleled track record of new breakthroughs in the visual communication market. For more information, visit www.polyvision.com/uk.

About Steelcase Inc.
Steelcase Inc. 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 2004 revenue was approximately $2.3 billion. Steelcase Inc. and its subsidiaries have dealers in more than 900 locations, manufacturing facilities in over 35 locations and approximately 14,000 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.

About Becta (British Educational Communications and Technology Agency)
Becta is the Government’s key partner in the strategic development and delivery of its information and communications technology (ICT) and e-learning strategy for the schools and the learning and skills sectors. They are a UK agency which supports all four UK education departments in their strategic ICT developments. Becta has five strategic aims which are to: improve learning and teaching through the effective use of ICT; increase the number of educational organizations making effective, innovative, and sustainable use of ICT; improve the availability and use of high quality educational content; develop a coherent, sustainable, and dependable ICT infrastructure for education; and continuously improve Becta’s ability to achieve its aims. For more information, visit www.becta.org.


“Walk-and-Talk,” “PolyKey,” and “Webster” are trademarks of PolyVision Corporation.
“Easiteach” is a registered trademark of Research Machines. All others are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

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