Pulse Data Intl. Enhances Amercian Presence

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 15, 2001

PULSE DATA INTERNATIONAL ENHANCES AMERCIAN PRESENCE

Pulse Data International, New Zealand¡¦s leading designer and manufacturer of high tech products for the visually impaired, has this week taken a major stake in AccessAbility, the San Francisco-based distributor of a wide range of products for the visually impaired.

AccessAbility Inc has been the fastest growing distribution and training company in this industry in recent years and this partnership with Pulse Data International will further strengthen both companies¡¦ market position. AccessAbility will distribute a full line of Pulse Data International¡¦s products to visually impaired customers in California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Oklahoma.

Pulse Data International¡¦s successes to date include the development and manufacture of the SmartView range of video magnifiers (CCTVs) and the BrailleNote„§ line of notetakers.

A SmartView Video Magnifier is an electronic tool allowing people who have partial vision to read and write. The SmartView magnifies everyday objects and presents the image on a computer screen or television monitor. The user can select the size and colour of the text and level of contrast to suit their eyesight allowing them to read comfortably. The SmartView family¡¦s flagship product, the SmartView2 8000 is the only product in the industry to feature plug-and-play compatibility with high resolution computer displays and fully automatic focusing.

Launched only last year BrailleNote„§, a world first, has already become the market leader in portable notetakers for the blind. Featuring a tailored suite of software, a Braille based keyboard and a speech interface this product is enabling the blind to read and use text documents. The BrailleNote„§ range includes models with speech in combination with refreshable Braille displays, and other lower cost models with synthesized speech only. Based on Microsoft¡¦s Windows CE operating system the BrailleNote„§ allows the direct interchange of documents in Microsoft Word format with other computers. It has a built-in modem and full email capability. HumanWare Inc of Loomis, California, is the master distributor for the BrailleNote„§ in the USA.

Dr. Russell Smith, Managing Director of Pulse Data International, sees the investment in AccessAbility as a further commitment to reach out to the US market. ¡§We have endeavoured to build the highest quality products possible for our customers. Working together with AccessAbility will allow us to provide these products with a full range of supportive services such as training, job-site analysis and integration, local customer support and technical troubleshooting.¡¨

According to AccessAbility, Inc. President Scott Duncan, ¡§We would like to expand the reach of our company, and we believe this can be best accomplished through collaboration with other industry leaders. Additionally, our relationship with Pulse Data International provides us with reliable access to quality products, and gives AccessAbility input towards future product development.¡¨

Established in 1988, Pulse Data International has gained international recognition for the design and manufacture of electronic devices for the partially sighted and blind. Pulse Data International export products to more than 30 countries, and has established sales offices in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Sweden, The Netherlands and Australia,

For further information, please contact:

Dr. Russell Smith Scott Duncan
Pulse Data International Ltd. AccessAbility Inc
1 Expo Place 4000 Geary Boulevard
Christchurch San Francisco
New Zealand California 94118, USA
DDI: +64-3-353 2853 Tel: +1 415 751 6455
E- mail: russells@pulsedata.com E-Mail: sduncan@4access.com
Website: www.pulsedata.com Website: www.4access.com

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