Choosing a collaborative display can be a challenge. With a broad number of interactive displays and wireless presentation displays (WPDs) on offer, it can be difficult to tell which the best collaborative display is best to accomplish the goals and accommodate the needs you might have. This article will dive into what some of the different collaborative display solutions are, use cases for each, and the pros and cons you might like to consider when making your purchase decision.
If you’d like to better understand whether an interactive display or a wireless presentation display is the best solution for you and to discover the pros and cons of each, then be sure to read on. If you’d like to learn about the solutions ViewSonic offers to better enable collaboration to happen more effectively, click here.
When deciding on the right collaborative display for your classroom or meeting room, there are several factors to keep in mind. Some of the more common solutions include Interactive Flat Panel Displays (IFPs) and Wireless Presentation Displays (WPDs).
The world of collaborative displays has entered a new era, whether for education, business, or recreation, there is a wide range of solutions on offer to aid in new ways of working, teaching, and learning. If you’ve ever wondered what the difference between interactive displays and wireless presentation displays are, you’ve come to the right place.
How Can Display Technology Enhance Collaboration?
One of the major benefits of collaborative displays is that they can be used for collaboration between different sets of users. For example, a group of colleagues in a meeting room, a teacher and students in a classroom, or a distributed group of students or professionals. All can use advanced displays WPDs or Interactive Displays to interact, learn, work together in ways that are far more engaging than provided by traditional solutions. In fact, in 2019 Gartner conducted research that found that various types of presentation technology were one of the top 10 strategic technologies impacting higher education
In the case of interactive displays, users can add or edit documents directly on the display itself, allowing for quick and easy annotation and collaboration whether within a classroom, or meeting room setting.
Digital displays allow for easier integration, and higher resolution, more vibrant presentations than interactive projector technology, and also require a less intensive setup, which removes a large burden on the IT department. With some forecasts predicting worldwide IT spending to reach up to 3.9 trillion dollars in 2021, this is not something to overlook.
What is an Interactive Display?
An Interactive Display is a large-format touchscreen display that allows for users to interact with content directly onscreen. Also known as interactive flat panel displays (IFPDs), interaction and collaboration are at the forefront of their functionality.
Interactive displays are at the forefront of the transformation of work and learning spaces, making interactions between colleagues, students, and teachers easier than ever. Users can upload, access, and edit content for presentations or lessons, right on the screen. Real-time Interaction and collaboration become seamless thanks to multi-touch input that can recognize up to 20 points of touch simultaneously, while built-in software can make adding the media you need for the task at hand easy and efficient.
In short, they are technological solutions that will enable you to take your presentations to the next level, whether in the classroom, meeting room, or blended environment.
To learn more about interactive flat panel displays check out our flagship corporate display: ViewBoard IFP70.
Other Names for Interactive Displays
Interactive Displays are often known by several names, including.
- Interactive flat panel display (IFPDs)
- Large-format interactive display (LFID)
- Interactive touchscreen
- Interactive whiteboard (IWB)
Pros and Cons of Interactive Displays
Interactive displays provide a powerful tool for enhanced collaboration, both in-person and remote. Boasting a wide range of tools to facilitate and enable collaboration of all different types. A touch screen supports multiple inputs, which lets everyone get hands-on simultaneously. Third-party storage integration, digital whiteboarding, and annotation allow for easy file sharing, annotation, and editing, while the 4k ultra high definition resolution ensures that whatever you share on-screen appears visually stunning. With all these positive benefits it can be easy to overlook the few shortcomings, but it is worth noting that the increased functionality does impact cost, leading to an increased initial investment. It can also extend the learning curve in order to make the most out of the software and hardware integrations. Here is a breakdown of the various Pros and Cons of interactive Displays
Pros of Interactive Displays
- High potential for interactivity
- Multitouch digital input (up to 20 unique points of touch)
- Software suite integrations supporting a wide range of functions*
- Integration with cloud storage like Dropbox, Google Drive
- Lower maintenance cost
- Wi-Fi casting/screen sharing
- Ai pen handwriting to text
- 4K Ultra HD resolution
- Slot-in PC capability
- Intuitive interface
- TUV-certified for low blue light emission to reduce eye fatigue and strain
- Versatile connectivity via SmartPort USB and multiple HDMI inputs
- Digital whiteboarding and annotation
Cons of Interactive Displays
- Higher initial investment
- A longer learning curve for full use of software
- Need for technical support
*ViewSonic Viewboards are installed with myViewBoard Suite, a software suite containing a wide range of tools and functions.
What is a Wireless Presentation Display (WPD)?
A Wireless Presentation Display is an all-in-one wireless presentation solution designed as an answer to the traditional wireless presentation system, which is typically a complex arrangement of hardware and cables.
WPDs often include simple wireless connectivity, multi-user screen sharing, and an integrated multimedia display. They make presentations easier by minimizing the time wasted fumbling with cables and switching input sources.
Uses include classrooms, meeting rooms, training rooms, commercial displays, and office communications. If you’d like to learn more about WPD’s you can read our article here.
Pros and Cons of Wireless Presentation Displays
Wireless presentation displays offer an incredible solution to take your presentations to the next level. Wifi and casting functions allow you to connect your device and share your screen without the hassle of connecting external hardware or multiple cables. An embedded player allows for powerful multitasking, with the optional slot-in PC giving you the ability to turn your WPD into a fully functional computer. While these displays can really boost any presentation, the lack of a touch screen does reduce interactivity, which can, in turn, lead to lower levels of engagement. This can be a deal-breaker for some, but it ultimately depends on what your needs are. Below is a comprehensive list of the pros and cons of WPDs.
Pros of WPDs
- Lower initial investment
- Multitasking with powerful embedded player and OPS PC slot
- Simple functionality allowing for a faster learning curve
- No more cables!
- Easy Wifi casting/screen sharing
- USB flash drive plug-and-play for photos, music, and video
- Mirror your content to multiple displays using Companion App
- 4K High brightness with a slim bezel
Cons of WPDs
- Less engagement due to non-interactive screen
- Lower functionality and software integrations compared with IFPDs
- Not ideal for very large spaces or audiences
Collaborative Displays in the Classroom
The way we learn in schools and universities has changed forever. Classes are now conducted using distance learning, hybrid learning, and blended learning models. Each of these new models of learning calls for new methods and technology to ensure that students are remaining engaged, learning effectively, and to give teachers the tools to ensure this.
A recent study by Deloitte found that up to 74% of teachers believe that incorporating digital content has a strong impact on student engagement. Collaborative displays such as IFDs and WPDs are great tools for achieving this. Wireless Presentation displays allow for quick and seamless sharing of multimedia content, while Interactive Displays allow for more inclusive, engaging, and interactive activities that students can participate in.
This can have positive benefits such as increased retention, even if students are not physically in the classroom.
74% of teachers believe that incorporating digital content has a strong impact on student engagement.
There are several software solutions available that integrate with your collaborative display and are designed to make this process even more seamless. If you’d like to find out more, you can check out our myViewBoard Suite of products designed for this very purpose.
Collaborative Displays in Business
Meetings are often time and energy–intensive for any busy professional, whether office worker, C-suite, or IT admin. Traditional wireless presentation systems often involve numerous hardware devices and cables, and are prone to failure and time wastage, either through connectivity issues, unintuitive interfaces, or just plain old technical difficulties.
IFPs and WPDs solve these problems by creating seamless experiences whereby users are able to wirelessly share their screen via enterprise secure WIFI, or through QR code enabled single-use log-ins. Alongside this, they allow for easy access and sharing of multimedia content and the integration of third-party cloud or web apps, making for far more engaging presentations, and collaborative sessions, whether the team is in person, remote, or a combination of the two.
Final Thoughts on Collaborative Displays
Your goals, needs, and the level of interactivity you require will influence which collaborative display is best for you. Both WPDs and IFPs offer a range of tools and features that can serve your purpose.
When you have a situation that demands high levels of interactivity and engagement, for example, teaching a class of kindergarten, then an IFP has everything you need to create an engaging lesson pack with activities to keep the students focused and learning. On the other hand, if you need to give a quarterly presentation to your C-Suite, some of whom are out of the country, then a WPD is an ideal solution. You can create a presentation that looks stunning in the boardroom, that can also be live-streamed to anyone unable to be physically present.
Whatever solution you choose, there are now more opportunities than ever to create visually stunning, engaging, and interactive content for the meeting room or classroom.
To find the right visual solution for you – whether it’s an interactive display, a WPD, or something else entirely – visit ViewSonic’s website here. Or learn more about a wide range of presentation displays here: How to Choose a Presentation Display for Your Meeting Spaces.