Erik Willey

Touch technology has revolutionized the way we interact with our computing devices, and has become the user interface of choice. Everything from ATM machines, interactive ticket booths, POS devices, slot machines, and information kiosks feature a user-friendly interactive touch screen. Let’s take a look at two of the most common touch technologies in use today.



Optical Touch
Optical touch technology utilizes two or more image sensors that are usually placed around the edges of a display. These sensors allow the touch surface to recognize two contact points simultaneously, and provide users with direct interaction by allowing two-finger gestures such as zoom in/out, rotations, and two-finger taps. Because of optical touch’s scalability, versatility, and affordability, it is becoming a popular technology for use on large format displays.

The experience offered by optical touch is responsive and accurate, and does not require a conductive object for touch recognition. As such, this technology is extremely useful in gloved environments such as hospitals and dental offices, or for use with interactive stylus pens. Touch screens equipped with Dual Point Optical Touch are also versatile solutions for use in classroom settings, home entertainment and gaming, or as a Point of Sale device in retail stores, and even as an information kiosk.

Projected Capacitive Touch
Projected Capacitive is one of the leading touch technologies available and is widely utilized by mobile devices such as smart phones and tablets. Projected capacitive touch screens feature a grid pattern of conductive materials layered within multiple sheets of glass. The conductive grid creates an electrostatic field, so when the screen is touched by a conductive object (i.e. a finger), the touch is recorded by measuring the overall change in capacitance.

Projected Capacitive Touch is a true multi-touch technology, allowing for 3 or more simultaneous touch points on the screen. With the system’s ability to detect and resolve 10 or more touches at the same time, the accuracy and touch experience is dramatically improved for the user. Because of its speed, efficiency, and intuitiveness, Projected Capacitive Touch is becoming the technology of choice for current generation touch screens and interactive displays. It is more expensive due to the complex electronics and sensor construction and since it requires input from a conductive device, such as a finger, it is not suited for environments with gloved hands.

Touch screens equipped with capacitive touch are best utilized for multi-user applications such as gaming, or interactive whiteboards for use in educational settings. In addition, capacitive touch screens are an ideal solution for businesses seeking the ultimate in interactive displays and digital signage. Capacitive touch displays can be used to attract and engage customers in high-traffic areas such as high-end retail centers, transportation hubs, and hotel lobbies.

Conclusion
Optical Touch technology is scalable, versatile, and affordable, and best utilized for single-user applications such as POS devices, desktop displays, or for use within the gloved environments of the medical and dental fields.

Projected Capacitive Touch technology is an ideal choice for multi-user applications where interactivity and collaboration are needed, such as in classrooms. Additionally, Projected Capacitive touch can be of benefit to commercial applications as well such as interactive digital signage.

With 25 years of expertise as a leader and innovator of display technology, ViewSonic has a complete line of interactive and ergonomic touch displays to meet any need. ViewSonic’s TD20 series of touch displays feature super accurate and responsive Dual Point Optical Touch technology. ViewSonic’s TD40 series of touch displays are all Windows® 8 certified and feature 10-Point Capacitive touch technology. All of the TD20 and TD40 touch displays feature a 7H scratch-resistant surface hardness to ensure a consistent, high-quality touch experience even in high-traffic areas.

To find out how your business can benefit from touch technologies within any budget, contact ViewSonic for more information on its interactive multi-touch solutions.

Corporate names and trademarks stated herein are the property of their respective companies. Copyright^© 2013 ViewSonic Corporation. All rights reserved.

With the advancement in video, camera, audio technology, and the ability to utilize standard web browsers within existing network infrastructures, videoconferencing has become a popular practice in the SMB environment. Videoconferencing has expanded into markets such as live e-support, video arrangement, engineering design reviews, quality assurance, and telemedicine and made 24/7 support across the globe possible. It is a low cost and effective mode of communication that SMBs are embracing. In fact, your customer and business partners simply expect it.

 

Wainhouse Research has reported that approximately 72% of SMBs reported that they use web conferencing to include participants who can’t attend in person; and 64% of SMBs use web conferencing for new meetings due to cost or timing constraints. The Australian government invested $18.4 million on high-def videoconferencing technology and saved $26 million in travel costs while cutting 7,000 tones in carbon emissions.

 

Videoconferencing is a natural evolution for businesses to increase productivity. It broadens and enables connections to anyone in the world while supporting a greener planet. If your company still hasn’t adopted this culture and are still paying high travel expenses, learn how you can implement videoconferencing here.

 

For videoconferencing solutions, checkout ViewSonic’s 24” (23.6” Viewable) all-in-one Windows® 8 certified LCD monitor, VG2437mc-LED, with integrated 2-megapixel webcam, mic and speaker, ideal for office applications, video conferencing, and executive offices and boardrooms.

 

How much has videoconferencing saved your business? Tell us on the blog.

 

Specifications and availability are subject to change without notice. Corporate names and trademarks stated herein are the property of their respective companies. Copyright^© 2012 ViewSonic Corporation. All rights reserved.

 

Sources:

“A Whitepaper for Owners of Growing Businesses.” THINKstrategies, Inc. (2006): http://www.gotomeeting.com/images/ad/pdf/Citrix_Online_THINKStrategies.pdf

Taylor J. “Fed Govt’s telepresence reaches capacity.” ZDNet.com. CBS Interactive, May 28, 2012: http://www.zdnet.com/fed-govts-telepresence-reaches-capacity-1339338677/

Did you know that there is a $50 billion market under the federal government GSA (U.S. General Services Administration) schedule programs? That’s about 10 percent of total federal acquisition spending. Did you know that August and September are traditionally the busiest time of year for government agencies to be making their technology purchasing decisions for the upcoming year (the fiscal year ends September 30^th)? While this market is very appealing to businesses, to qualify under these federal programs, products must be compliant with the Trade Agreement Act (TAA) and have special product features under niche category to boost your opportunity to win the bid.

 

There is great opportunity for resellers to differentiate themselves in the larger monitor bidding process if they fully understand the niche government product features that will distinguish them from the competition under IT Schedule 70. Whether it’s small or large format displays you are considering, before jumping into the TAA compliant display business, make sure you are aware of the following handful of features that will greatly improve the user experience for your buyer: For instance, ViewSonic’s latest small format TAA display models feature a DisplayPort™ input, Eco-mode functionality for reduced power consumption and longer product life, advanced ergonomics, and automatic aspect ratio adjustment. Our large format commercial displays (sizes 42”, 47”, 55” and 65”) offer features including energy saving LED panel technology, a built-in media player for video and signage, slim bezels for eye-catching design, and video-wall-ready capabilities for extended possibilities. The Energy Star®, Eco-mode and LED features give our products an edge to qualify for the monitor product category under the GSA Environmental Program. Government needs smarter technology solutions. Ultra slim designs and Displayport™ features add this advantage. DisplayPort™ is the next generation interface technology replacing DVI, LVDS and VGA and enabling ultra thin displays, higher graphic performance and super fast response time.

 

ViewSonic has merged its 25-year display heritage and expertise to deliver the latest and greatest display technology at the best value along with TAA compliance, to offer our resellers the opportunity to get into the TAA monitor game. Our channel support also offers a variety of programs to support government resellers, including joint-participation for trade shows, bid services and more.

 

To learn more about our TAA compliant monitors, read our PR release here. And if you already have federal GSA contracts, share your experiences and ideas with us on our blog.

 

Corporate names and trademarks stated herein are the property of their respective companies. Copyright^© 2012 ViewSonic Corporation. All rights reserved.

With 25 years of display expertise, ViewSonic continually raises the bar to the next level of excellence in display technology. Our brand new 24” LED monitor takes innovation to the next level, with one of the world’s thinnest profile designs available for its size and class category.

 

At just one-quarter inch thick, the VX2460h-LED is a sleek and stylish widescreen display that pairs an ultra-slim design with advanced imaging technologies to reduce computer eyestrain after extended viewing. Partnered with a Full HD 1080p resolution, 2ms fast video response time, a high 40,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio and touch-sensitive buttons, this truly is a state-of-the-art machine for consumers, gamers and discerning buyers alike who demand both world class performance and style. The dual HDMI® inputs also guarantee the highest quality high-definition audio and video. And with our ECO-mode feature, a 3-year standard limited warranty and the industry’s best pixel performance policy, you can feel good about making a long-term investment in this Energy Star® 5.1 certified display.

                                                          

The ViewSonic VX2460h-LED display is now available for an ESP of $199. For additional information on the VX2460h-LED, click here. Not sure if this is the right display for you? Just ask, we’re happy to answer any questions you may have.

 

 

Corporate names and trademarks stated herein are the property of their respective companies. Copyright^©2012 ViewSonic Corporation. All rights reserved.

Have you heard of the flipped classroom teaching model? It is a teaching technique that is gaining steam across the country. The idea is that students do their homework during classroom time, and lectures are done outside of the classroom via the Internet. This allows for classroom activity to remain centered around student and teacher collaboration.

 

The argument is that with traditional teaching models, students can be overrun by homework assignments. When students don’t fully understand the lesson plan, completing homework at home can be difficult. For students who lack structure and guidance in the home, or a quiet place to study, completing assignments outside of school can become a nightmare.

 

In a recent article, Tech Decisions shared an interesting case study about Clintondale High School near Detroit. Clintondale spends most of class time giving students help rather than classroom lectures. Additionally, multimedia presentations and video conferencing with other classrooms around the world have become part of the school day for a more interactive environment.

 

For this school and many others like it, the individualized attention is working. Chronic failure rates have dropped dramatically, while college readiness scores have more than doubled to nearly 29 percent. The best part is that this new approach requires a very minimal investment in technology upgrades, and no alterations to existing network infrastructure. It’s a great approach for schools experiencing a decrease in financial resources. In Clintondale’s case, they needed to purchase five PCs with powerful CPU capacity to support the increase in PowerPoint presentation creation, a few USB microphones so teachers could record themselves for lessons, and two tablets for greater mobility options.

 

Students vary in how they learn best. That calls for leaders in education to be open to evaluating new strategies for helping students grow, both personally and developmentally. It’s great to see students achieving impressive levels of success because teachers are taking better notice of their needs.

 

We’d like to hear from educators whose students have seen academic gains with this method or another alternative educational model. Share your results with us, or tweet your tips to @ViewSonic.

 

Thin client computing offers significant benefits over traditional PC deployments. In fact, IDC found that thin client users (when compared to full PC users) experience a decline in hardware and software costs of 40 percent and a reduction in IT operations costs by 29 percent. In addition, IDC concluded that a thin client computing setup increases IT worker productivity by 56 percent due to a reduction of troubleshooting and repair needs, when compared to traditional PCs.

 

For organizations wishing to save acquisition and operating costs, enhance security and manageability, and promote green IT and sustainability, ViewSonic’s MultiClient solution puts thin client computing in reach for cost-conscious districts and SMBs.

 

Following its unveiling at ISTE 2011, ViewSonic is announcing new product bundles and software support today for the company’s MultiClient computing offering. This cost-effective, scalable solution lets educators and businesses easily create and manage their own private cloud computing environment. Enabling up to 20 independent user stations (with monitors, mice and keyboards) to be powered by just one host server, MultiClient significantly lowers the cost per seat, reduces energy costs and virtually eliminates compatibility issues and IT management needs.

 

Now two additional energy-efficient zero client VMA Series adapters are available, each with four USB ports, so users can connect their preference of peripherals. We enable users to select their preference of software licensing between Userful MultiSeat Linux 2011™ and Microsoft® MultiPoint® WMS2011 for true customization.

 

To get started with a MultiClient setup, educators and businesses just need to connect the MultiClient Adapter box to a monitor with keyboard and mouse, and then plug into the host server. For more MutliClient information, click here.

 

Are you a thin client believer? What sort of benefits have you seen? We’d love to take your questions about thin client deployments within your organization. Share your experiences with us here!

While schools haven’t always had to pay for their electricity use, the current economy and budget cuts have made districts responsible for these payments. As a result, some schools are facing huge electric bills. In fact, according to Energy Star, the nation’s school districts spend more than $7.5 billion annually on energy — more than the money spent on computers and textbooks combined. Even worse, as much as 30 percent of a district’s total energy expense is spent unnecessarily.

 



ViewSonic has some tips to help school districts save on electricity use while maintaining or even increasing their technology implementation within the classroom:

 

1. Turn Technology Off: Ensure that electronics and lights are turned off at the end of the school day, as well as when they are not in use. This includes computers, overheads, projectors, etc. Remember lights are used in some less obvious areas as well, such as hallways and bathrooms. Also consider replacing lights with more energy efficient bulbs.

 

2. Don’t Let Energy Get you Hot Under the Collar: A big cost for schools can be proper heating and cooling of educational spaces. To keep heat and air conditioning in rooms to maintain temperatures, keep all classroom and office doors closed. Be sure to turn the heat down after school and on weekends as well. If heating and cooling bills are still higher than desired, consider the impact a little landscaping can make. Pinpoint the rooms that get the most sun each day, and try planting trees to shade the windows from the direct rays.

 

3. Computer Labs Can Be Consuming Culprits: Not surprisingly, a school’s computer labs can be a huge energy expense. The heat generated by 30+ computers and CRT or LCD monitors can generate expensive air conditioning bills, and older computer monitors can be big energy consumers as well. Consider a computer lab makeover – ViewSonic’s MultiClient solution for example enables up to 10 individual monitor stations to share a single computer, helping schools reduce overall Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) by as much as 60%. For additional energy savings, Energy Star certified LED displays make a significant impact – up to 60% compared to an equivalent LCD monitor.

 

4. Saving with Solar: Another approach to reducing electricity consumption is by installing solar panels. Take Huntington Beach City School District for example. The district has slashed its electric bills in half and expects to save more than $15 million over the next 25 years in electricity costs. There are plenty of incentives and rebates out there to help your district with the upfront costs of panel installation.

Have an energy-saving tip to share that’s been implemented at your school? Share it with us here on the blog, or tweet it to @ViewSonic.

Chances are, you are likely using an LCD monitor setup for your home and business computing needs. You’ve recognized the benefits of replacing your antiquated CRT device to get up to speed with your desktop technology. But you might have only just started the battle.

 

Great benefits can be achieved by upgrading your current LCD setup for an LED monitor instead. If you’re not convinced, check out this list of the top five benefits an enterprise can expect from taking its monitor technology to the next level with LED:

 

1. Improved performance: Is your current monitor giving you eye strain? Are you getting headaches by the end of the day? With LED monitors, users experience even better flicker reduction over LCD for a practically flicker-free image. That means less computer eyestrain and vision fatigue.

 

2. Reduced power consumption: Even further reduction of power consumption over LCD, up to 60% in some cases, results in significant energy cost savings. In addition, up to 90% of the energy consumed by the average monitor is released as heat. That means powering an LED monitor will result in a long-term electric bill savings as well.

 

3. Improved image quality: Through LED backlight technology, monitor manufacturers are able to deliver noticeable color improvements over LCD, as well as impressive contrast ratios to achieve a brilliant picture quality. This means darker blacks and brighter whites for a wider color gamut and better color accuracy.

 

4. Greater environmental benefits: Even more environmental benefits from reduced emissions and hazardous materials include the elimination of mercury. A mercury-free monitor means a greener, healthier planet, and that’s great for everyone.

 

5. Cost savings: Still not convinced that LED is the way to go for your business? Give our TCO calculator a try. By filling in the number of monitors used in your workplace, the hours each device is in operation per day and the number of days per week, you’ll determine the money your company will save by making the switch.^[1]

 

Are you planning to purchase a new LED monitor? What benefit are you looking forward to enjoying most from your new display?

 

 

 

 

You may have sat at your desk, staring at your computer screen thinking, “It sure would be nice if I had two monitors.” In the following few words, we aim to give you irrefutable evidence to share with your management team about why adding another monitor to your desktop will increase workplace productivity.

 

Several studies have concluded that dual-monitor setups take productivity to the next level, including one done by researchers at Microsoft, who found that second monitor can boost productivity by up to 50% when it comes to tasks like copying and pasting[1]. A Jon Peddie Research survey also found that an extra monitor boosts output between 20-30%[2].

 

With a single monitor, every time a new window is brought up on the screen, your eyes and brain need to reorient themselves. These seconds of mental processing can add up. In fact, The University of Utah determined that workers could save up to 2.5 hours per day when using larger (24”) or dual monitors[3]. That means in an 8.5-hour workday, your employer will benefit from over an extra day of productivity per week from you, while you’ll enjoy more screen real estate and easier working. It’s a win-win.

 

Consider having your email up on one screen and a document you are working on up on the other. Do you IM a lot with coworkers about projects? Try reserving a screen for chats so you can still check email simultaneously. Or try using one screen to pull up websites or other documents you need to refer to, eliminating the need to print out materials. Simply sweep the mouse and files move from one screen to the other, enabling maximum efficiency.

 

If your boss won’t go for the argument that a dual-monitor set up will make you a happier, more productive employee, then suggest going with a larger screen next time your company is ready to upgrade. For instance, a 24” monitor is ideal for side-by-side dual document editing and viewing, and delivers about 50% more screen area than a single 19” model provides.

 

Are you using a dual-monitor setup at work? How do you feel it has impacted your productivity?