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PORTLAND -- Planar Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:PLNR), a worldwide leader in specialty display solutions, today announced shipments of the new Planar iS40 integrated digital sign and the second-generation Planar DS15 integrated kiosk. Designed to enable organizations of virtually any size to easily incorporate digital signage into customer communications, these all-in-one solutions support Planar’s strategy to provide value-added hardware and software for the fast-growing digital signage market.

“More businesses large and small across different industries, including financial services, gaming, retail and transportation, are recognizing how effective digital signage is at capturing customers’ attention and engaging audiences,” said Brad Gleeson, vice president of business development and CoolSign general manager at Planar. “Offerings like the DS15 and iS40 demonstrate Planar’s ability to develop innovative solutions that are specifically engineered for digital signage deployment in these markets, and offer higher reliability and performance than typical consumer products.”

iS40: First Plug-and-Play Digital Sign
As a fully integrated digital signage system, the Planar iS40 combines a 40-inch LCD, CoolSign iS software, robust Windows XP Embedded processing, optional WiFi features, and all the networking components needed for integrators to set up digital signs throughout multiple locations. This true “plug-and-play” appliance only requires AC power and an Ethernet connection for easy set-up, making it ideal for environments such as malls or department stores that would benefit from fewer cabling and hardware components.

Featuring CoolSign, Planar’s proven enterprise-class digital signage software solution, the iS40 makes it easy to create, display and centrally manage digital signage content being displayed in multiple locations – whether in office lobbies, shopping centers, restaurants, banks, casinos, airports or more. For high visual impact, the iS40’s commercial-grade LCD supports portrait or landscape settings, and offers high brightness (700 nits), an ultra-narrow .6” (15.24mm) bezel, and a 178-degree viewing angle for maximum visibility.

The Planar iS40 is built to last, offering unique thermal management technology, a long-lasting backlight life (50,000 hours), optional protective glass and is backed by Planar’s industry-leading three-year hardware and software maintenance warranty.

DS15: A New Level of Kiosk Performance
Initially introduced in 2004, the first-generation Planar DS15 addressed the prevalent use of kiosks for point-of-sale and purchase, customer service, self-checkout systems, and a variety of interactive, self-service retail applications. The new DS15 continues to offer integrators an easy-to-deploy kiosk solution that combines hardware and software, and can be placed anywhere there is an electrical outlet.

The next generation DS15 is an all-in-one kiosk solution combining a heat-tempered, scratch-resistant IR touch screen and high-bright 550 nits display with a leading-edge operating system and software suite that enables businesses to easily incorporate their creative assets such as JPG, HTML, Flash, Shockwave and QuickTime content.

Bringing kiosk integration one step further, the DS15 is also available with an optional Smart Card Reader or Magnetic Stripe Reader, allowing businesses to easily capture customer data instantaneously, for instance, from trade and convention show booth attendees.

Manufacturers’ suggested retail price (MSRP) for the DS15 starts at $2,999, or $3,099 with the Smart Card Reader and $3,199 with the Magnetic Stripe Reader.

MSRP for the iS40 begins at $6,500, with the option to purchase with protective glass and/or WiFi capabilities. The DS15 and iS40 are available now through Planar’s authorized dealers and digital signage resellers worldwide. For more information, please visit www.planardigitalsignage.com.

About Planar
Planar Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:PLNR) is a global leader of specialty display technology providing hardware and software solutions for the world’s most demanding environments. Hospitals, space and military programs, utility and transportation hubs, shopping centers, banks, government agencies, businesses, and home theater enthusiasts all depend on Planar to provide superior performance when image experience is of the highest importance. Founded in 1983, Planar is headquartered in Oregon, USA, with offices, manufacturing partners, and customers worldwide. For more information, visit www.planar.com.