TECHNOFILE
Get interactive
Technology for the office has moved on vastly in the last decade so why are we still using the traditional flipchart when there’s a much better option available, ASKS CHRIS DRAGE?
Interactive Whiteboards(IWB) are gaining popular- ity in the UK as a complete replacement for most static display devices like dry wipe boards and flipcharts usually found in meeting rooms and training facilities. This clever technology is a front-of-room device designed to allow a person to run multimedia presentations by touching the surface upon which a computer display is projected. For corporate users there are many benefits – with the
key one being that computer-based presentations can be delivered to the group using a single laptop or desktop PC. Software can be run from the front of the room without constant returning to the keyboard and prepared notes can be further annotated during the session. Multimedia content can be readily incorporated to bring presentations to life and almost everything can be saved back to the com- puter as the session develops or indeed afterwards. ‘Death by PowerPoint’ can be relegated to the past! This technology requires three pieces of equipment: a
computer, a projector and a touch-sensitive whiteboard. The computer is connected to the projector and white- board, and the projector displays the computer screen image onto the board. The computer can then be con- trolled from the board. As you point at active elements on the board using your finger or an appropriate elec- tronic ‘pen’, the action is transmitted to the computer. So what about costs? The lowest cost is the infrared
add-on (one size fits all) to an existing whiteboard that basically allows the board to become an electronic copy- board (for example, Mimeo or eBeam). At a higher cost is the dual membrane resistive board which can be operat- ed with a pen or a finger (for example, SmartBoard). The highest cost comes with a solid state impact-resistant whiteboard which can only be operated with an elec- tronic pen (e.g. Promethean and Hitachi Starboard). If you’re already panicking about getting to grips with the new technology, don’t. IWBs offer the same features as a traditional whiteboard such as writing directly on the board, circling things, highlighting or labelling ele- ments on the screen, and erasing errors. They also offer an on-screen keyboard that floats over the software, allowing you to enter text or data into almost any appli- cation. The bundled software also offers full editing on- screen and recording any/all changes or additions including screen capture at any point. Besides being a more up-to-date version of boardroom equipment, venues around the country are installing them in meeting rooms and large corporates are looking to invest in them for their own in-house facilities because of the benefits they offer. IWBs enhance presentation con- tent by easily integrating video/animation, graphics, text
and audio; involve the audience in genuine interaction; allow the audience to absorb information more easily and participate in discussion by freeing them from copious note taking; save valuable preparation time; act as an elec- tronic flipchart with all notes and diagrams saved as an HTML file for later use across the company’s intranet, allowing an archive to be easily maintained and displayed; and allow notes to be stored and made available to all rel- evant personnel who may have missed the presentation. Choosing a suitable IWB is as much about a choice of
software tools as much as anything. Also check on the replacement costs of styluses, projector remote controls etc. Purchasing spares can amount to a lot of cash! I can- not over emphasise that no matter how good the hard- ware and software, if it isn’t installed properly it will end up simply being an expensive projector screen. The shortest member of staff needs to be able to reach the top part of the projected image. It must also be large- ly visible from the back of the room. Getting this com- promise right is crucial. Many systems available today have height-adjustable boards. Probably the most impor- tant consideration is the positioning and brightness of the projector. Most IWBs today are sold with top mount- ed short-throw projectors which eliminates the problem of glare when facing the audience. And remember, when ordering a system, it is important to have a site survey by the prospective supplier to ascertain a suitable projector for the proposed location. E
users there are many benefits – with the key one being that computer- based presentations can be delivered to the group using a single laptop or desktop PC
“For corporate ” CONTACTS
Steljes
www.steljes.com
Promethean
www.prometheanworld.com
Sahara
www.saharaplc.com
Misco
www.misco.co.uk
Accurate
www.accurateav.co.uk
Matrix
www.matrixdisplay.com
www.executivepa.com » Oct/Nov 2010 » 19
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