SMART Adds Four New Models to Collaboration Systems for Business

New appliance-based systems enable enhanced collaboration in interactive meeting spaces
By: Cascade Communications
 
Oct. 25, 2011 - PRLog -- CALGARY, Alberta --- September 14, 2011 --- SMART Technologies Inc.  (TSX: SMA), a leading provider of collaboration solutions, announces four new models of collaboration systems for business. These systems offer users full functionality to whiteboard, browse the Web and view PDF files, and engage in remote and local collaboration with no need for a dedicated in-room computer. A built-in appliance in each of the systems provides an intuitive, walk-up-and-use experience, enabling users to quickly start their meetings. The four new systems include the SMART Board™ 885ixe interactive whiteboard system, the SMART Board 885ie interactive whiteboard system, the SMART Board 880ie interactive whiteboard system and the SMART Board 8070ie interactive display. Each features SMART Meeting Pro™ software and the SMART GoWire™ auto-launch cable, which allows a user to quickly and easily connect a laptop to the system in order to share files, launch programs, open documents, brainstorm and save notes. Data cannot be saved to the appliance, ensuring enhanced network security. Users are not required to log on under personal credentials to access files and software, and the system is immune to spyware and malware. The four new appliance-based collaboration systems for business are now available to customers in North America and will be available in all other markets in October 2011.

By pushing a single button, the projector, appliance and interactive whiteboard or display are activated, so users can immediately begin collaborating and capturing ideas. The SMART Board interactive whiteboard or display allows users to manipulate and write over digital content. By connecting a laptop using the SMART GoWire cable, users can insert handwritten content directly into AutoCAD® files and most Microsoft® software applications, including PowerPoint®, Excel® and Word. These annotations and any documents opened or created during the meeting can be captured and e-mailed to meeting participants or saved to a USB key. When the collaboration system is used in conjunction with SMART Bridgit™ conferencing software, local and remote participants can view and share documents. For more information on the new appliance-based SMART collaboration systems for business, visit smarttech.com/business.

“Organizations around the world are increasingly seeking interactive products that offer easy-to-use tools that enhance collaboration and help them make the most of meeting time,” says Linda Thomas, Vice President, Products, SMART Technologies. “Our four new appliance-based collaboration systems have been developed specifically to support the needs of business users, ensuring that their files and confidential meeting notes remain secure, whether they collaborate in the same room or over distance.”

Appliance-based collaboration systems for business
Each of the new appliance-based collaboration systems for business includes SMART Meeting Pro software, SMART Bridgit conferencing software and the SMART GoWire auto-launch cable.
•   The widescreen SMART Board 885ixe interactive whiteboard system features an active screen area of 87” (221 cm) on the diagonal (16:10 aspect ratio) with an ultra-short-throw SMART UX60 projector that offers a throw distance of 12” (30.5 cm)
•   The widescreen SMART Board 885ie interactive whiteboard system features an active screen area of 87” (221 cm) on the diagonal (16:10 aspect ratio) with an ultra-short-throw SMART UF75w projector that offers a throw distance of 23.5” (59.7 cm)
•   The widescreen SMART Board 880ie interactive whiteboard system features an active screen area of 77” (195.6 cm) on the diagonal (4:3 aspect ratio) with an ultra-short-throw SMART UF75 projector that offers a throw distance of 23.5” (59.7 cm)
•   The widescreen SMART Board 8070ie interactive display features an active screen area of 70” (178 cm) on the diagonal (16:9 aspect ratio) and 1080p professional-grade LCD with hardened glass that provides clear, high-definition images

Common features
One-click access – Accesses whiteboarding, web browsing and PDF viewing functions immediately
Integrated appliance control panel – Includes one-button-on design, an LCD display and a USB port
DViT™ (Digital Vision Touch) technology – Enhances the touch experience through zero-force touch, the ability to scale to large sizes and the ability to support multiple touches
Touch gestures – Accepts common multitouch gestures including one- and two-finger gestures such as pinching, zooming and tossing
Object awareness – Recognizes when a user switches between a finger, pen or other object
Natural user interface – Touch the interactive whiteboard or display with a finger – no special tools are required
Multi-user support – Enables two users to work together, performing different tasks, anywhere on the interactive whiteboard or display surface
SMART Ink™ – Ink-smoothing algorithms make writing look smoother and more refined
Ergonomic pen – Ensures comfortable use and enables a natural writing style
Multiuser Pen Tray – Enables two people to write using a pen tool. Easy-to-use buttons on the Pen Tray make switching ink color, right-clicks and accessing the on-screen keyboard effortless.
Business aesthetics – Designed to blend into virtually any business collaboration space

For video and images, please visit www.smarttech.com

In the United States, the suggested list price for the appliance-based collaboration systems for business is US$9,499 for the SMART Board 885ixe system, US$8,899 for the SMART Board 885ie system, US$8,199 for the SMART Board 880ie system and US$15,999 for the SMART Board 8070ie interactive display. Prices outside the United States vary by country and may include applicable taxes, duties and import costs. The four new appliance-based collaboration systems are now available in North America and will be available in all other markets in October 2011. For purchasing information, specifications and a list of authorized SMART resellers, visit smarttech.com/WhereToBuy.

About SMART
SMART Technologies Inc. is a leading provider of collaboration solutions that transform the way the world works and learns. We believe that collaboration and interaction should be easy. As the global leader in interactive whiteboards, we bring more than two decades of collaboration research and development to a broad range of easy-to-use, integrated solutions that free people from their desks and computer screens, so collaborating and learning with digital resources are more natural.

Reader’s advisory
Certain information contained in this press release may constitute forward-looking information or statements. By their very nature, forward-looking information and statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, and risks that predictions, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking information and statements will not be achieved. We caution readers not to place undue reliance on these statements as a number of important factors could cause the actual results to vary materially from the forward-looking information or statements. We do not assume responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of the forward-looking information or statements. Any forward-looking information and statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.


For more information, please contact

Marina Geronazzo
Manager, Public Relations
Phone: +1 403.407.5088
MarinaGeronazzo@smarttech.com
www.smarttech.com
© 2011 SMART Technologies. SMART Board, SMART Meeting Pro, SMART GoWire, SMART Bridgit, DViT, SMART Ink, smarttech and the SMART logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of SMART Technologies in the U.S. and/or other countries. All third-party product and company names are for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners.

Please note that SMART is written in all capital letters.

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SMART Technologies introduced the first SMART Board interactive whiteboard in 1991 with touch control of computer applications and annotation over standard Microsoft Windows applications. Their technologies have made an impact on education and business.
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Source:Cascade Communications
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