Media Inc., a Portland, Ore.-based multimedia training and communications firm, announced today the newest version of LifeGuard 2.0 at Training '96 in Atlanta.
LifeGuard 2.0 is an ergonomic computer safety software program that reinforces through reminders ergonomically correct behavior, when to rotate tasks and perform simple exercises to reduce repetitive strain injuries (RSI), the fastest growing occupational disease of the 1990s.
"With repetitive strain injuries on the rise, organizations want to be proactive in educating their staff on learning correct ergonomic safety," said Michael Loftus, executive vice president of Graphic Media.
"This program provides companies with added assurance because they know that their PC users are taking breaks away from the computer at regular intervals, which can decrease the number of ergonomic-related work injuries. It also has a strong positive influence on productivity."
LifeGuard 2.0's new features include interval and event timers while it still maintains the option to base reminders on actual mouse and keyboard activity. The interval timer reminds a PC user to take regular breaks from computing, which maintains overall fitness level and helps to avoid RSIs, like carpal tunnel syndrome.
The event timer can be set to remind the user to exercise regularly. For example, by incorporating these two timers, the program can be set so that a person is reminded to take a computing break every 45 minutes (interval timer) and regularly exercise every afternoon at 2 p.m. (event timer).
LifeGuard 2.0 now includes administrator password protection which allows companies the option to standardize settings on break intervals, etc. Once locked into place, settings can only be changed with the password. This ensures that the program's benefits are utilized since users can not turn off the program at their own discretion.
The new version also allows users to launch an application from a reminder. This lets a user launch a custom exercise program or any other program that is keyed by the reminder.
Additional LifeGuard 2.0 features:
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-- Displays exercises for the seven parts of the body most likely
to be affected by repetitive motion or posture imbalance
-- Monitors computer usage based on individual keyboard activity
-- Illustrates stretches and simple exercises
-- Provides diagrams to help keep work stations properly adjusted
-- Windows 95 compliant
Availability
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LifeGuard 2.0, available in March, will be $79.95 (SRP) for single use with site-licensing available and can be found at national retailers or directly from Graphic Media at 1-800-845-2439. The product is available for the Microsoft Windows and Apple Macintosh (3rd Qtr) platforms. LifeGuard 2.0 requires Windows 3.1 or higher; a 386/33 with 1 MB RAM; and a 256 color VGA. For the Macintosh, it requires system 7.X; 1 MB RAM; and a 640 x 480 color monitor.
Based in Portland, Oregon, Graphic Media (http://www.graphicmedia.com) is an interactive marketing communications and multimedia training company that has developed more than 350 interactive training modules. The company currently offers ErgoKnowledge, a one-hour office ergonomics multimedia training course.
This is the first in a series of interactive multimedia CBT programs that offers a low-cost, comprehensive training solution for corporate workplace and safety issues. In addition to its multimedia training programs, Graphic Media offers LifeGuard, a computer safety software program that provides an early warning system for the prevention of repetitive strain injury (RSI).
The company has also produced award-winning multimedia advertising and communications for a number of America's Fortune 500 companies, including Chase Manhattan Bank, Compaq Computer, Consolidated Freightways, Fred Meyer, Hewlett-Packard, Intel, Kaiser Permanente, Lotus, Microsoft and NationsBank. The company was established in 1976.
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ErgoKnowledge and LifeGuard are trademarks of Graphic Media.
Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corp., while Apple and Macintosh are registered trademarks of Apple. Other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Editors' Note: To receive a review copy of LifeGuard 2.0 or screenshots or boxshots, please call Michele Ruegg at Kaufer Miller Communications at 206/450-9965 or micheler@kmcomm.com.
CONTACT: Kaufer Miller Communications
Michele Ruegg or John Snyder, 206/450-9965
Internet: MRuegg@aol.com
NOTE TO EDITORS: In the Internet/email addresses noted in this
news release, there is an "at" symbol between:
-- micheler AND kmcomm.com
-- MRuegg AND aol.com
These symbols may not appear properly (or at all) in some systems.
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