Interactive Displays – Features and Benefits to Consider
If you’re looking to embrace the power of new technology or never have to scrub marker ink off a whiteboard again, then quality interactive displays are the answer for you and your business. These amazing innovations combine the presentation power of a flat screen with the interactivity of a tablet. This functionality comes with a heftier price tag than a simple whiteboard. So, choosing the right interactive display for your purposes is crucial. This article will equip you with the know-how to make an informed choice.
Interactive Displays: A Tool for the Modern Digital World
Touch screen devices have come a long way, from a concept in sci-fi stories to indispensable tools in our daily lives. Smartphones, tablets, and displays are all features of this landscape. Touch screens offer not only flexibility in display and inputs but also pair well with other technologies like wireless connectivity to enhance collaboration.
Enter interactive displays – rising stars in the world of business and education. The US market for these tools alone is estimated to reach USD 86.44 billion by 2030, at an annual growth rate of 9.7%. Not every classroom can get by with a blackboard alone. Similarly, some business meetings may need more than one device to connect to the screen. Interactive displays make this hybrid use case and collaboration possible.
However, interactive displays are far more than simple touch displays. They’re a form of computer that gives extra priority to display and touchscreen precision. Wireless connectivity enables the sharing of files and active collaboration, both locally and online.
This focus on collaboration extends beyond just file sharing. Multi-point touch, for instance, allows multiple users to write on a display. 4K LED monitors provide high resolution and clarity, even for those at the back of the room. Most interactive displays will also come equipped with microphone and video capabilities, which make conference calls possible. So, there’s a lot to love about interactive displays.
The question remains, though: how to choose the right one.
Choosing the Right Interactive Displays
If you’ve decided that one or more interactive displays would be perfect for your setup, you’ll need to arm yourself with as much information as possible to make an informed choice. An interactive display specialist is always a solid place to start, but here are some factors to be aware of:
Dimensions
Not all screens are created equal, in terms of both quality and dimensions. The same is equally true for interactive displays. There’s a big price difference between a 55-inch and 86-inch display. So, consider the purpose of the display in your business or educational setup, including the need for collaboration and the size of the room.
Some interactive displays need higher 4K resolutions to display smaller details with greater clarity. But if you’re mostly using your display for video conferencing or resolution isn’t an issue, choose an interactive display with a lower resolution and save yourself the extra expense.
Software
As it is in effect a computer, the software employed by an interactive display will make a huge difference in the way you interact with it from day to day:
- A decent whiteboard program will allow detailed note-taking and brainstorming.
- Cloud-enabled software will allow users to collaborate easily.
- Software that connects to multifunction printers can allow for scans to be directly displayed on the screen.
- You can download apps and resources that let you customize the display for your own workflow from software portals
However, over and above its software, consider the built-in capabilities of the display. Features like screen mirroring, pinch zooming, gesture controls, and wireless connectivity can make the difference between seamless interaction and hair-pulling frustration.
The key is to balance costs and needs. Decide how often and in which ways you’ll use this display. Then, choose a display with the best software options to suit your workflow.
Connectivity
Speaking of cloud capability, you’ll need to ensure that whatever method of sharing you have in mind – your interactive displays are up to the challenge.
Wireless connectivity may be a standard requirement, but it isn’t the only way to connect. Many methods of data transfer may still rely on USB ports and USB C slots. And if you’re going to make regular use of laptops, make sure your interactive displays have HDMI ports and screen mirroring options to make sharing easy. Thankfully, most of these hardware add-ons are standard features with most interactive displays.
The real optional extras are in the form of software add-ons that allow for wireless communication with devices ranging from printers to tablets and dongles that facilitate seamless sharing. There are simply too many to list here, so it’s best to ask your supplier which option would be best for your setup.
Security
Because interactive displays are computers in their own right, they are vulnerable to infiltration and compromise as a result of malware and hacking. This applies doubly if they’re linked to your business’s network. You need strong security that restricts access from both within and without.
This security can take many forms, including:
- Some form of biometric or password-protected access.
- Regular data purging.
- Some form of antivirus and firewall capability.
- Network monitoring by your business or a managed IT service.
It’s important to keep all access points to a network safe, and that includes your interactive displays. Ask a specialist about the protection options available for your setup. Based on the size of your classroom or business, there may be various solutions available.
The Right Partner for the Job
It’s important to know what to look for in interactive displays, but equally important to have a specialist who knows the landscape and understands your needs. A business that offers interactive displays should be intimately acquainted with these tools in order to offer the perfect solution for your setup.
What’s more, you want a specialist that goes beyond the product and offers dedicated services that’ll keep your screens running smoothly and safe from all threats for years.
If you’re in the Bloomington, Minneapolis, or St. Paul areas, that perfect partner is DTS. Since 2004, we’ve been providing services and hardware solutions to hundreds of businesses. We’re here to listen to your needs, solve your challenges, and provide the best interactive displays for your setup. Contact us today.