News

ViewSonic’s president Jeff Volpe named one of 2012’s top 100 channel executives by CRN

 

WALNUT, Calif. – November 26, 2012 – ViewSonic Corp., a leading global provider of visual solution products, today announced that president Jeff Volpe was named one of CRN’s Top 100 Executives in the IT Channel for 2012.  This annual list salutes the most influential and innovative channel executives in North America.

 

Winners were chosen based on nominations from solution providers and ranked executives based on channel influence, effectiveness and visibility, along with business and sales impact. Among the criteria were channel sales volume, channel investment and resources, channel advocacy and visibility, and performance in UBM Channel research projects (including the Annual Report Card and Channel Champions). A panel of UBM Channel editors made the final selections.

 

Named one of the top 25 Channel Sales Leaders, ViewSonic’s Jeff Volpe is not only driving the company’s strategic direction but he is also in the trenches, driving dramatic sales and profit gains for partners through a combination of programs, policies, and technology.  For 25 years, ViewSonic has demonstrated its commitment to the channel by offering targeted programs as part of its award-winning Finch Club program, such as the new ProSeries Reseller Authorization Program, as well as delivering innovative new product categories like the Android-enhanced Smart Display offering the channel additional opportunity to grow its business and address customer needs.

 

“I am proud to be named by UBM Channel as a top pick for industry leaders that are innovating and doing the critical thinking necessary with the VARs, said Jeff Volpe, president of ViewSonic. “We strongly believe in the mission of our channel partners and feel it is important to offer them our very best – both in product solutions and in new sales opportunities. It is our promise that you will continue to see this level of dedication from ViewSonic.”

 

“We’re recognizing this year’s Top 100 Executives for their commitment to the channel,” said Kelley Damore, Vice President and Editorial Director for UBM Channel. “For 2012, our goal was to once again shine a spotlight on the most influential executives in the industry today. But we also wanted to pay homage to the channel advocates, sales and services leaders, innovators and disrupters. We salute all these leaders for their devotion to the technology channel and their willingness to adopt new strategies and policies in order to drive greater sales for partners, while positioning their own company for future growth.”

 

Expanded coverage of the 2012 Top 100 Executives will be featured in the November issue of CRN Magazine and online at www.crn.com.

 

For further information, visit ViewSonic.com or follow ViewSonic on the Company blog, Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.

 

About ViewSonic

Founded in 1987, ViewSonic’s mission is to be the preferred global brand of visual solution products as we continue to focus on display-centric product offerings including LED monitors, projectors, digital signage displays, and cloud computing solutions. ViewSonic continues to pioneer in visual technology innovation to build a connected and ever-reaching digital future. ViewSonic® Corporation is headquartered in Walnut, California. For further information, please visit ViewSonic.com.

 

ViewSonic’s Finch Club offers resellers an opportunity to benefit from specialized product training and discounts. To sign up, please visit FinchClub.com.

 

About UBM Channel: (www.ubmchannel.com)

UBM Channel is the premier provider of IT channel-focused events, media, research, consulting, and sales and marketing services. With over 30 years of experience and engagement, UBM Channel has the unmatched channel expertise to execute integrated solutions for technology executives managing partner recruitment, enablement and go-to-market strategy in order to accelerate technology sales. UBM Channel is a UBM company. To learn more about UBM Channel, visit us at www.ubmchannel.com.

UBM plc (www.ubm.com)

UBM plc is a leading global business media company. We inform markets and bring the world's buyers and sellers together at events, online, in print and provide them with the information they need to do business successfully. We focus on serving professional commercial communities, from doctors to game developers, from journalists to jewelry traders, from farmers to pharmacists around the world. Our 6,000 staff in more than 30 countries is organized into specialist teams that serve these communities, helping them to do business and their markets to work effectively and efficiently. For more information, go to www.ubm.com

 

 

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Trademark footnote: All corporate names and trademarks are the property of their respective companies.

 

This news release contains forward-looking statements that reflect the Company’s expectations with regard to future events. Actual events could differ significantly from those anticipated in this document.

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/

Digital signage solution with facial recognition capabilities are being made possible with recent advancements in cameras, processing power and application software. Facial recognition is a turn-key solution that shifts customer engagements from static to proactive, helping retailers interact in a way never before possible. “Sense of sight” intelligence allows a digital sign to extract visual data to gauge the audiences’ gender and age, and associate the results with an advertisement designed for that specific audience. This helps retailers not only deliver more targeted messaging but also translates to a more pleasurable customer experience, longer dwell time and increased engagement.

A South Korean company, SK Telecom, has launched a digital signage solution with facial recognition in a shopping mall in Korea across twenty-six digital signage displays strategically placed at various locations throughout the mall. In preparation for the launch, SK Telecom included 5,000 facial images and an additional 1,000 pieces of key facial features (facial shape, wrinkles, and distance between eyes) associated with age and sex identification in the control pool.  The company plans to spend three to six months to collect traffic volume and pattern information before approaching advertisers to customize ads based on sex and gender.

Intel also launched Intel® Audience Impression Metrics Suite (Intel® AIM Suite) for digital signage solutions; it integrates three intelligent software programs to deliver  impression metrics: Intel® AIM View collects audience demographic data, detects content viewed and viewing duration; Intel® AIM Analytics analyzes the data into a granular level and outputs into easy to understand graphs/charts and CSV formats; Intel® AIM Manage is a sensor management system that remotely manages the operation via the cloud. In addition, to protecting audience privacy, AIM Suite does not record facial images or personal information about the viewer.

Facial recognition technology helps advertisers (from automotive to cosmetics industries) generate more ROI from affectively communicating specific messages within target audiences. ViewSonic is excited about this trend and will continue to evaluate its market potential as it gains momentum. For more information on digital signage solutions, click here. Have additional questions on the best display for you? Ask us on the blog.

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

As we multitask our way through our busy day, why not grocery-shop as we wait for the subway or train? This is what drove Tesco and Peapod to provide virtual grocery stores aimed at on-the-go commuters.

Virtual Grocery Stores are large displays (bill boards or digital signage display) with life sized pictures of common grocery items. Below each item, there is a unique QR barcode associated with the product for shoppers to purchase on the spot with their smartphones and schedule deliveries.

Tesco (South Korea and UK) and Peapod (US) have deployed these virtual grocery stores at public transit hubs like at the airports, subways/train stations, and bus stops, where tens of thousands of commuters gather, to deliver convenient grocery shopping between wait times. Tesco in South Korea and Peapod in US have adopted the static billboard platform, while Tesco in UK deployed interactive digital signage  for a cleaner look and smaller footprint.

According to Tesco, mobile revenue has more than doubled in the past 12 months. Interactive Media in Retail Group projects mobile commerce (m-commerce) to make up around 15% of all online sales by the end of 2012. In addition, a Nielsen survey found that 61% of respondents already use the internet to shop for groceries and one quarter of them plans to purchase groceries online in the next 6 months.

Is the virtual grocery store the next frontier to food shopping for our families in this digital era? We think so. So many commodities are already being purchased online; the virtual grocery store will be one more convent way to tackle our daily to-do list on-the-go and free up our time. We anticipate the static billboard to be upgraded to interactive digital signage very soon as this solution is a much more efficient way to deploy, mange, and lower TCO for business owners.

Have more questions on the right digital signage solution for your business? Learn more from this link here or ask us here on the blog.

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

Are you a brick and mortar retailer that has ever gotten caught up in a tug of war with eTailers? Boost your competitive edge by joining the ViewSonic® ProSeries Reseller Authorization Program.

 

Our ProSeries Authorized Reseller Program is designed for resellers with a physical store front to increase sales and profitability by providing you with access to ViewSonic’s newest and most innovative product solutions. As a member, you receive exclusive competitive pricing, deeper discounts on large opportunities, access to exclusive promotional programs and qualified leads. Best of all, membership is free!

 

As an added incentive for our valued partners, if you sign up by September 30, 2012 and are approved to become a ViewSonic ProSeries authorized reseller by October 12, 2012, you are automatically entered into a drawing for a chance to win a five or six days Carnival Cruise package for two to the Bahamas, Bermuda, Mexico, the Caribbean and more!

 

For more information about how our ProSeries Authorized Reseller program can help take your resale business to the next level, call 888-881-8781 #3 or email channel.marketing@viewsonic.com.

 

ProSeries Reseller Authorization Program is subject to official program rules. ViewSonic reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to cancel, modify or suspend the Program without notice. Corporate names and trademarks stated herein are the property of their respective companies.

 

Copyright^© 2012 ViewSonic Corporation. All rights reserved.

 

 

The desktop display is poised for an amazing evolution as we shift towards the Post-PC era. Virtualization, software-as-a-service (SaaS), cloud-based storage and mobile applications are all becoming predominant in today’s business world as we migrate away from the traditional desktop of yesterday. The enterprise is looking to these zero/thin client solutions to reduce business operating costs, improve productivity and instantly connect to the cloud, the Internet, virtualized environments, web-based apps (such as CRM tools, multimedia presentations or digital dictation solutions), social networks and more.

 

According to a Gartner forecast, global shipments of thin clients are expected to nearly double between 2011 and 2014, while spending on SaaS products is projected to grow more than 50 percent by 2015. Thin client applications can be found in government, call centers, medical offices, schools, airline ticketing and manufacturing plants to enable centrally-managed scalable solutions while lowering Total Cost of Ownership (“TCO”).

 



While zero and thin clients can be cost-effective alternatives to traditional desktop PCs, it is important to note that these solutions are not one-size-fits-all. For instance, certain applications may still require individual desktop PCs for processor-intensive tasks. Multimedia production applications, for example, may require a greater amount of bandwidth that would make a zero/thin client solution cost prohibitive. To help business owners determine the best computing solution for their needs and the key distinctions between the zero/thin vs. traditional desktop PC (thick client), read on for a quick comparison guide from Webopedia™.

 

<emZero/Thin Clients                                               Traditional Desktop PC/Thick Client

 

Easy to deploy requiring no extra or specialized software installation	More expensive and time consuming for IT to deploy
Needs validation with the server after data capture	Data verified by client not server (immediate validation)
If the server goes down, data collection is halted as the client needs constant communication with the server	Only require intermittent communication with server, client/workstation equipped with robust technology and provides better uptime
Cannot be interfaced with other equipment (in plants or factory settings for example)	Can interface with other equipments independently
More potential downtimes	Less potential downtimes
Require less resources on workstation but more on servers	Require more resources on individual client/workstation but less on server
More portable in that All applications are on the server so any workstation can access	Not portable in that most resources are stored on individual client/workstation
Opportunity to use older, outdated PCs as clients	Individual client/workstation needs to be upgraded to newer and more advanced PC to increase performance.
Reduced security threat	Increased security issues

There is a tremendous growth opportunity in zero/thin client solutions afforded by the virtualization of servers, applications and desktops. ViewSonic recognizes this market trend and continues to develop innovative new display solutions to facilitate the cloud transition while offering support of industry standard cloud-based computing protocols including Citrix, VMWare, RDP, RemoteFX and PCoIP. Through these partnerships, any of our traditional desktop displays can be transformed into a smart connected network display and multi-client solution to support businesses and organizations in their efforts to deploy secure, scalable thin client configurations. Learn more from our white paper here.

 

What display solutions support your individual enterprise demands? Share your experiences 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.

 

Footnote: Gartner’s Global SaaS Spending Report, 1H12 Update (March 2012)

Is your business BYOD–phobic (ie. afraid of the implications around employees bringing their personal devices into the workplace)? We already know that BYOD increases employee satisfaction, boosts work productivity and decreases mobile device costs. We also know that IT security concerns can be addressed with security solutions available on the market. But if your organization is still reluctant to jump on the BYOD program because of the potential variable costs, read on.

Below we have highlighted strategies for businesses to reduce their spending around two key variable expense areas:



Monthly wireless/data plan bill:

• Establish a clear cost ownership and pay scale guideline for the dual-purpose mobile device base on job dependency.


• Pre-negotiate a discounted contract with a single network carrier to achieve cost savings of anywhere from 10 to 20 percent. This can also serve as a perk for employees who use BYOD on employee paid basis.

IT help desk cost:

• Say “no” to supporting and troubleshooting personal device issues that are not business related – for example, problems with non-business apps or network connectivity.


• Establish clear guidelines to determine if an IT problem is a device issue, carrier issue, or business app issue before straining IT resources.


• Allow self-service on routine activities such as policy acceptance, enrollment, adding new apps, etc.

Although BYOD programs consist of many variable costs, there are also many favorable hidden economic values that organizations should be aware of. According to Monica Basso, Research VP at information technology research firm Gartner, BYOD reinforces personal responsibility, as employees are more cost conscious when they are using their own device, including being more sparing when roaming and being less likely to lose their phone. In addition, employees are more willing to invest time to troubleshoot their personal device than to pass it on to the IT help desk, which has the potential to minimize IT help desk labor hours.

What is the right BYOD policy to support your enterprise culture? Share your experiences 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.

Digital signage solutions provide excellent revenue and margin opportunities for VARs who target the restaurant or QSR vertical. Nowadays, the VAR can benefit by selling signage as a total solution. This is due to the fact that there is margin opportunity in the hardware, installation, potential network configuration, service, and in some cases, content development.

The opportunity for digital signage sales has grown tremendously, and is broader than ever before. Here are just a few of the ways that your customers may be looking to implement these solutions:



Restaurants: We are especially seeing an increase in signage adoption rates by restaurant customers as prices come down and ease of use and simplicity increases. The most common restaurant application is the presentation of menu selections combined with government required nutritional information. This information can be updated in real-time with the use of simple digital signage content management solutions. In addition, promotional information can be added in the case of seasonal menu changes.

Employee training: New opportunities are becoming available with the use of network digital signage in the back office for employee training. Training content can be sent over the internet (WAN) for use by individual restaurant location. This adds benefits to the restaurant owners with lower insurance rates as well as provides the VAR another area of possible margin income.

Retail: Another growing opportunity as the prices and solutions become more affordable is retail. We are seeing smaller screen deployments as consumer information is moving closer to the display case. We have seen this at the POS cash out for some time, for example. We are also beginning to see smaller screen deployments such as 10-, 22-, and 32-inch in retail locations advertising product highlights and benefits. VARs can again benefit by targeting the retail signage vertical with a total solution that consists of screen, content management, network solutions — wired and wireless, and installation services. There are a category of VARs we call systems integrators that specialize in this kind of new business.

While these are the key areas driving today’s digital signage adoption, with the emerging array of add-on solutions (such as integrated mobile device credit card process and audience demography video analytics), the possibilities of digital signage are endless. To learn more about digital signage solutions, read here. How has digital signage helped to grow your business? What are your experiences with POP? Share with us here on the blog.

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

It’s a common question - do we really need technology to learn? The answer varies depending on how instructors utilize technology solutions to implement their lesson plans. No matter how technology is used, one thing is for sure – technology has definitely transformed the possibilities of teaching. We’ve all seen it in futuristic movies: a classroom consists of a giant interactive multimedia screen in front of the classroom and computer desks for students to work individually and collaboratively. The future is now.

 

It is a well-known fact that an engaged student absorbs information faster, and introducing technology to the learning process spurs students to think and learn in new ways. For instance, Kyrene School District in Arizona invested $33 million dollars to revamp their schools with interactive screens, laptops, classroom projectors, networking gear and education software to visually and kinetically accommodate different student learning styles.

 

Through this technology enriched learning, the students of Kyrene School District are now:

 

• using professional writing and editing tools and creative design apps to improve their writing skills and create higher quality PowerPoint presentations


• utilizing personal computers to get their ideas down faster while enabling teachers to edit their work more easily


• able to more conveniently complete and review work as a group using the cooperative technology solution


• participate in internet-based lesson plans for more immediate communication, including the ability to email the teacher completed assignments


• learning math through interactive games such as Alien Addition


• practicing spelling on interactive screens


• experiencing enhanced reading comprehension with interactive reading websites, and taking exams on laptops, with their scores being revealed in minutes.

 

As a result of implementing these advancements, students are able to master academic skills in a fun and creative way. School districts like Kyrene are a perfect example of how the classroom can be used to help students acquire the technological competence that is essential in today’s information technology era. What an exciting time for education!

 

To learn more about interactive presentation solutions to transform classrooms, libraries and auditoriums from ordinary spaces into exciting learning centers, read here. Have experience with implementing new technologies within the classroom? Tell us about it here on the blog.

 

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

 

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.

 

The face of digital signage is rapidly changing, and its advancements in technology are pushing progression right along. Have you heard the term Open Pluggable Specification (OPS)? OPS architecture ties the digital signage ecosystem together with standardized interoperable hardware interface to drive effective component design, development and simplified integration complexity for lower implementation, deployment and management costs. An initiative from Intel®, OPS is a new technology concept that emerged about a year ago.

 



The OPS architecture modularizes the development of digital signage display panels and media players, thereby minimizing the implementation time for installation and eliminating other system complexities. While this clean solution ultimately benefits the integrator and end users, so far, only a few companies have adopted OPS technology. This is likely because people are accustomed to using an external media player (or PC) to run their media content on the signage display. Until the integrators and end users become more and more familiar with the benefits of OPS and industry demand increases, we believe it will still take some time before manufacturers and display OEMs adopt this new standard. However, with a company like Intel serving as the driving force behind this technology, things look very hopeful. Intel has launched multiple scalable intelligent software applications to enhance OPS display capabilities, such as Active Management Technology (AMT), Audience Impression Metrics Suite (AIM), Anonymous Video Analytics (AVA) and Near-Field Communication (NFC).

 

Will OPS architecture adaptation become successful? Only time will tell, but we believe in the benefits it provides. To learn more about ViewSonic’s OPS-enabled touch digital signage solutions in 42”, 46” and 65” sizes, click here. Have questions about what digital signage solutions are easiest for your business to maintain and upgrade? Ask us here on our blog.

Are you a professional presenter or educator who reinforces onstage presentations with a laser pen? Do you find satisfaction from instantaneous interaction with your audience during your presentation? If so, you will be captivated by some of the unique features that current presentation apps on the market provide to help you engage with your audience while driving collaboration. Two noteworthy apps that we recommend for audience interaction are DisplayNote and Doceri.

 

DisplayNote is a software app that enables multi-user collaboration across any platform including smartphones, tablets and laptops; with support for more than 30 devices connected simultaneously. This app allows the presenter to share their screen while enabling instantaneous communication with other connected devices. In presenter mode, presenters or teachers can use their device to control the main screen, pass control to any other connected device, assign collaborative groups, send/receive private messages and view the individual screen of any connected device. In collaboration mode, the annotations and images on the connected devices can be displayed back to the main screen or viewed by other users. Furthermore, those viewing in collaboration mode can add their own private notes, underline or highlight what’s important, capture preferred slides, and save or email the presentation for later review. DisplayNote complements existing interactive projectors, whiteboards, and touch-screen devices, including tablets and smartphones running either Apple® iOS or Android™.

 

The Doceri® software app allows tablet owners to remotely control a PC or Mac that is connected to a display (e.g. projectors and monitors). A duplicate screen is displayed on the tablet to give the user total control and access to their computer desktop from their mobile tablet device. Doceri features interactive functions similar to DisplayNote, allowing the user to draw, write and annotate on the projected content with save and replay functions. Doceri currently doesn’t have the multi-user collaboration mode on their existing version; however this feature will be included in the next release. The existing version currently only works with Apple iOS, but an Android version is coming soon. 

 

Both DisplayNote and Doceri give users the freedom to instantaneously articulate their ideas during a presentation. Whether your need is for education or business, these powerful tools promote collaboration and audience engagement.

 

To learn more about interactive presentation solutions, read here. Have questions about what features you need for your specific presentation needs? Ask us here on the blog.

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short throw projectors are designed with tight spaces in mind whether at home, work or school. 

 

A short throw projector produces clear images within limited space due to the physical shape of the projector lens, which alters the magnitude of the image projected. In a short throw projector, a convex lens is used to spread an image wider than a regular throw lens. As a result, a short throw lens can have 0.5:1 throw ratio, capable of projecting a 60-inch diagonal image from just 2 feet away, while a standard throw lens has a 1.6:1 throw ratio, capable of projecting the same image size from 6.5 feet away. Check out our interactive distance calculator here to determine if a short throw is the best fit for your space.

 

Why else should you consider a short throw projector? Many short throw projectors offer minimum ambience and heat exhaustion for maximum audience engagement in the constricted room. There are no hotspots when projecting onto a whiteboard due to the close distance proximity – the mount position of the projector is either raised above or dropped below the white board to project the image at a very steep angle, which eliminates glare that could bounce back from the whiteboard.

 

Have questions about what features you need for your specific projection needs? Ask us here on the blog.

 

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

 

 

The Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) is ranked among the top regional pediatric hospitals in the nation, helping over 250,000 children annually. The ViewSonic® finches made a special appearance yesterday, visiting children on various floors of the hospital. “It was a very heartfelt time spent with these brave children and we are so glad that ViewSonic was able to bring a smile to their faces,” said Jeff Volpe, president.

 

To help lift children’s spirits, ViewSonic donated six (6) ViewPad® 10e Android tablets, two (2) high brightness 1080p Pro8400 projectors and two (2) 100-inch diagonal (16:9) Elite screens to CHOC. The projectors and screens will be installed in a new tower as  part of the media centers for children and teens; the tablets will help keep children entertained with games, the reading of electronic books and surfing the web in between their procedures and treatments.

 

ViewSonic is committed to improving its community and bettering the lives of its members. ViewSonic employee-partners generously give to community programs including Make-A-Wish, Toys for Tots, and Walk Now for Autism, in addition to our annual holiday Adopt-a-Family initiative. Stay tuned to our blog for opportunities on how  you can get involved in these causes as well.

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

InfoComm 2012 has come to a close on Friday, June 15. Three days seemed hardly enough time for anyone to cover the entire show floor, with such a wide array of new products being showcased. For those AV professionals and enthusiasts who didn’t get a chance to visit InfoComm, we’ve highlighted some of the noteworthy technology trends below.

 

When it comes to projection, Laser/LED hybrid illumination technology was the hottest topic around the Pro AV industry. This new technology breakthrough enables the projector to manipulate light and images without using the lamp or a color wheel. This results in more saturated color at a reduced cost all while being environmentally friendly.

 

From a display perspective, touch capabilities are on a fast growth curve. It seems like anyone with a display in their booth had a touch-enabled offering. ViewSonic was no stranger to this trend, showcasing several touch-enabled devices including the eBeam Edge^® technology, which turns any display into a touch device.

 

Interactivity is made possible with the latest plug and play solutions that will change the way retailers develop and manage content. As delivering engaging content becomes even quicker and easier, retailers will be able to engage customers like never before.

 

Want to learn more about ViewSonic’s technology advancements from the show? Click here to visit our tradeshow landing page. What innovative solutions did you notice at the show? Share your thoughts with us.

 

 

 

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

 

Digital signage can bring many benefits to your business. But for small- to mid-sized business that know little about putting an effective digital signage strategy in place, this can seem like a complicated and expensive solution. To dispel some of the myths about signage solution implementation, we’ve put together this guide to assist businesses in making the move to a more digital environment:

• Myth 1: The System Will Be Complex: Installing a dynamic digital signage system doesn’t have to be complex. Content files can either be manually loaded or connected via a LAN (network) connection utilizing a media player for a multiple display environment. Or you can upload files you’d like to display using a mobile storage device, such as a USB thumb drive plugged into the media player. Many commercial displays also feature built-in USB ports, making it easy to transfer content or play photo slideshows directly from a USB drive.

• Myth 2: I Can’t Build The Content: Fear of the unknown may be holding you back. If you can create a PowerPoint slide or build a playlist of your favorite audio files, you have the necessary skills for operating a digital signage system. With today’s easy-to-use software programs like our Signage Manager Express, delivering digital media content can be simple. Look for a program that offers Windows compatibility so it will easily run on your PC or laptop. Also look for software that comes with pre-made templates with multiple screen zones. Templates make it easy to build your content, and different screen zones allow you to display different types of content at the same time – for example, to upsell offerings by advertising companion products.

• Myth 3: It’s Too Expensive: The cost of installing a dynamic digital signage solution is surprisingly low. The return on your investment can be easily justified, especially if you have been printing backlit signs. Depending on the environment, you can utilize cost effective monitors, commercial TVs or full commercial displays. Screen sizes can range from 10” to 65” or larger. A high performance, network capable, full HD display with video media player can be attained for under $500. In some cases, media players come bundled with the necessary software offering users a complete turn-key solution.

Still concerned about going digital or have we eliminated your fears? Has your business already taken the first steps to implementing digital signboards? Share your story with us about the benefits you’ve seen.

Want to learn more about the various factors that must be considered prior to deploying a digital signage installation? Take a read over our new “Getting Started with Digital Signage” white paper.

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

What’s all the buzz about Laser LED hybrid projection? This new technology delivers better picture quality through higher contrast ratios, is lamp free and consumes less power for a significantly lower total cost of ownership. Designed for a range of uses including home entertainment, professional audio-video, corporate or education use. Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of laser LED hybrid projectors to see if they make sense for your projection needs.

 

The Laser LED Hybrid illumination technology is a breakthrough in the way a projector manipulates light and images, resulting in superb picture quality with an ultra high contrast ratio of at least 10,000:1 for greater details, especially in dark scenes. The lasers and LEDs combine as a light source to create vibrant rich color, by generating a color spectrum far greater than that of normal mercury light projector which rely on a color wheel and may show ghost images and rainbow effects.

 

This eco-friendly technology is lamp free which saves anywhere from $199-$299 in replacement costs. No lamp means no mercury thereby eliminating toxic waste and no lamp also means virtually no maintenance to swap out bulbs. Laser LED Hybrid illumination technology delivers a longer light source life of up to 20,000 hours and is much more energy efficient utilizing intelligent power control, generating nearly twice as many lumens per watt as a lamp based projector. Furthermore, these projectors do not get hot to the touch, and are faster and quieter to switch on and off, as well as offering a more stable design.

 

Without compromising brightness, contrast or image quality, laser LED projectors lower TCO, are earth friendly and deliver rich, saturated color. You’ll save time and money, while enjoying a vivid and vibrant picture, year after year.

 

Have questions about what features you need for your specific projection needs? Ask us here on the blog.

 

*Light source life and energy savings may vary based on actual usage and other factors. Corporate names and trademarks stated herein are the property of their respective companies. Copyright^© 2012 ViewSonic Corporation. All rights reserved.

Windows or Android? That’s one of the most common questions a potential buyer will consider when thinking about buying a tablet. Android-based tablets help users keep connected with family and friends and offer plethora of available entertainment apps. However, for those considering a tablet for business use, a Windows device can make all the difference when it comes to device security.

 

With Windows 7, businesses benefit from enhancements that help protect sensitive company information, including multiple active firewall policies to prevent malware and unauthorized access, and page file encryption for the safety of critical documents. There is also a Backup and Restore feature that makes it easy to backup and restore data and settings in the event of a system crash. Some of the most noteworthy additional Windows 7 security features as they relate to protecting tablet users include:

 

• Action Center: This feature alerts users to security threats such as an inactive firewall or outdated antivirus software.


• BitLocker Drive Encryption: To keep documents safe in the event that a tablet is misplaced or stolen, BitLocker automatically encrypts any data saved on a hard drive.


• AppLocker: This included tool gives IT professionals more options for managing applications and enforcing application standardization, while delivering sophisticated protection against Trojan malware.


• Microsoft Security Essentials: This software is available with a simple download and provides reliable, free anti-virus protection.


• User Account Control: Ensures that only an authorized administrator users can make changes to system configurations, while alleviating IT administrators’ stressors with User Account Control.


• DirectAccess: For those planning to use their tablet as a flexible work solution, Windows 7 tablets deliver remote users smooth and secure access to enterprise resources without the need to connect to a VPN.

 

For those considering a Windows 8 tablet, stay tuned. We will share an updated posting on Windows 8 and tablet security information once the OS is officially launched.

 

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

Virtualization has become critical for companies looking to maximize efficiency when it comes to sharing or collaborating on important documents, and protecting and backing up data. The beauty of cloud computing is that it’s device-agnostic, enabling vital company data to be stored elsewhere on a server in the cloud. While cloud-based services can be accessed from a computer or smartphone, a tablet delivers the best of both worlds, offering touch, mobility and a screen size that’s larger than a smartphone. Perhaps the accessibility of virtualized environments on mobile devices is a big contributor to Gartner’s 4 percent forecast for the growth of traditional PC sales this year.

 

When it comes to the cloud, tablets enable workers to benefit from the productivity boost that comes from being able to work remotely yet securely from anywhere, anytime. Connecting via the cloud also lets businesses ensure that should a mobile device become lost or damaged, its data is safely stored. Rachel Dines at Forrester Research echoes this sentiment by stating that the proliferation of mobile devices in the workforce offers the benefit of more flexibility for workforce recovery options.

 

While any Wi-Fi connected tablet can serve as a portal into a virtualized environment, there are several product features that companies should be aware of when considering purchasing tablets for use with cloud applications. These three features let IT departments check that the devices they let into their organizations are ready for mobile cloud computing:

 

• Certifications: Know what software certifications the tablet has and how that software will benefit your organization. For instance, a Citrix Ready certification gives the buyer confidence that a tablet will work seamlessly in a Citrix virtualized environment. Additionally, customers of VMware will want to ensure that their device is compatible with VMware virtualization technology.

 

• Operating system: Android or Windows? A Windows tablet is ideal for full-featured desktop computing functionality in a mobile device. However, if you need the tablet to run an assortment of apps, Android might be the better fit. If you’re worried about not having access to critical Windows applications, software such as Citrix Receiver can enable Android tablet users to work with virtualized Windows desktops and applications.

 

• Device enhancements: Take a look at the feature-set while thinking of what will maximize convenience and benefits for the user. For instance, an SD card slot can enable a device’s storage capacity to be expanded, lessening the need for frequent hardware trade-ins. Consider the environments in which a tablet will be used. Does the tablet have a USB port? If so, employees can plug in a full keyboard and mouse to create a mobile desktop experience.

 

How is your organization accessing the cloud? Let us know what devices your company uses to access virtualized environments now, and which devices do you hope to implement over the next six months?