UC Advanced explores the Interactive AV sector, which features numerous industry terms and acronyms such as IWBs, IFPDs, and touchscreens, available in a variety of sizes and specifications. Concentrating on the 45/55in+ panels UC Advanced asked three vendors for their insights into the Corporate Sector, and all remained upbeat that the opportunities for resellers are most certainly there.
What Wave are we on?
Hundreds of column inches have been dedicated to defining where we are in the technological evolution. Apparently, in the education sector the market is on the fourth wave of embracing technology – from the first wave of pupils and classrooms embracing devices and then connectivity, to software and applications and latterly embracing data and AI. In the “modern” workplace, which is seen as the advent of hybrid and hybrid flexible work models, accelerated by the pandemic, according to some internet pundits we are on wave 2. The first wave was adopting technology for all functional areas of workplaces to accommodate shifting work patterns and globally remote-based personnel, some technology hastily bought on a “needs-must” basis. The second wave is all about replacing, upgrading and redefining workspace areas, replacing those hastily bought collaboration tools or those that have reached end-of-life, as well as customers and end users gaining a greater understanding of what is possible and embracing the broad depth of collaboration tools.
Emergence of the IWB in Corporate
Originally intended for offices when launched in the 90’s, but largely and rapidly embraced by the education sector, a key technology that has emerged as vital in the new workplace landscape is the interactive whiteboard (IWB). With the advent of hybrid and hybrid flexible work models, IWBs have transitioned from niche educational tools to essential components of modern business collaboration. These interactive solutions are invaluable in bridging the gap between physical and remote teams, boosting innovation and productivity in meeting rooms and huddle spaces. As businesses approach the next wave of technological refreshes since the initial UK lockdown over four years ago, the demand for interactive panels is surging. Companies are increasingly recognising the importance of tailored, integrated collaboration technologies to foster seamless and efficient workflows in a dynamic work environment.
Demand: Sales-led or Customer-led?
Simon Port, Regional Vice President of Sales, UKI, at Promethean thoughts on the question were: “From what we’re seeing, it’s very much a combination of both. Some customers have a clear idea of the technologies needed and where they will fit in an established ecosystem. Others recognise they are battling communication and connection challenges and seek expert advice on how technology can help resolve these.”
Kurtis Oliver, UK sales lead at CTOUCH thoughts were, “Many business environments used to be flooded with flipcharts, dry erase boards, and projectors. However, we are now seeing an increase in demand for touch technologies. I believe this shift is fueled by a generation entering the workplace that has been raised with the ability to manipulate digital content using compact and versatile touch screens, and has been taught in classrooms equipped with this technology. In short, there is an increasing expectation that the modern meeting room will be equipped with touch technology in the same way modern classrooms are.
Simon Port at Promethean continued, “Although demand is diminishing for physical office locations, the need for collaboration hardware continues to grow, with more square footage dedicated to meeting spaces. There is still a relatively low infiltration of IFPDs (Interactive Flat-Panel Displays) in the workplace, and mixed media meetings with remote colleagues, suppliers and customers will continue to be the norm. Office spaces that remain have an even stronger focus on business continuity and need to support hybrid work models with collaborative communication solutions to meet those needs. Collaboration is a fundamental feature of IFPDs, so it’s a given that customers are looking for this if they are considering purchasing an interactive display.”
Till Gotterbarm, VP Products, Partnerships, Operations Europe at Avocor echoed the sentiment that the demand in the corporate market is there, “At Avocor, we’ve seen a surge in demand for our interactive whiteboard solutions beyond the traditional education space. Businesses are increasingly recognising the value of collaborative technology to boost innovation and productivity in meeting rooms and huddle spaces. In addition, the post-pandemic shift towards hybrid work models has created a prime opportunity for IWB solutions.”
The unique needs of Corporate
UC Advanced asked Simon Port to elaborate on a Promethean IFPD that has been designed specifically for corporate needs. Simon replied, “When developing the Promethean ActivPanel LX, we considered the unique needs of the corporate sector, leading to the development of a modular IFPD solution which doesn’t need an in-built operating system.
This non-OS panel has been designed to be used with users’ computers, as well as different computing modules, allowing customers to integrate the panel with their preferred ecosystem and working seamlessly with all major operating systems. The ActivPanel LX is easy to maintain and helps customers keep pace with ever-changing technology.
ActivPanel LX is a secure, sustainable, and flexible interactive solution for collaboration in remote, in-person, or hybrid business environments. Workplace technologies evolve, but the ActivPanel LX meets users where they are, providing them with a futureproof interactive solution with security and sustainability at its core.
As a plug-and-play panel, ActivPanel LX brings ease of use and familiarity, allowing customers to connect with colleagues and produce their best work, freeing IT to manage networks and security, not training every employee how to use it. It is one of the most secure IFPDs on the market, requires minimal ongoing maintenance and management, and easily fits into customers’ current ecosystems.
When choosing an IFPD, customers want to know that it’s been built to stand the test of time and minimises environmental impact. That’s why, when developing the Promethean ActivPanel LX, we put longevity and sustainability front-and-centre of solution design.”
Avocor recommended the Avocor E 92. The Avocor E 92 interactive touch screen display is great for meeting environments because it has a 92-inch ultra-wide LCD display and 21:9 aspect ratio, eliminating the need for dual-monitor setups and expanding interactive workspaces. Offering a high resolution of 5120×2160, it ensures crystal-clear visuals and supports multi-user interaction with up to 50 touch points on Windows. Optimised for major video conferencing tools like Microsoft Teams and Zoom with high-speed HDMI and USB-C, the E 92 enhances remote participation. Designed with durability in mind, the sleek display features toughened glass and a 30,000-hour backlight life, making it a reliable choice for high-traffic environments.
CTOUCH recommended the CTOUCH Neo interactive panel. The CTOUCH Neo is suited for corporate meeting rooms due to its intuitive user interface, which ensures a seamless and efficient start to meetings with minimal setup time. The four most frequently used functions – whiteboarding, screen sharing, web browsing, and source changing – are readily accessible, simplifying the workflow. Its enhanced writing experience and JBL® optimised front-facing speakers ensure clear communication and interaction. The wireless screen sharing capability facilitated by AirServer supports devices’ native sharing technologies like AirPlay, Miracast or Google Cast, fostering a collaborative environment without the agitation of additional apps. Moreover, its ability to integrate with the Heartbeat programme provides lifetime updates, remote management tools and training, ensuring the device remains up-to-date and maximally effective throughout its use.
Thoughts for Resellers
The majority of Gen Z, the population demographic that are born between 1995 and 2012, have been taught using interactive whiteboards. The didactic method of teaching, whereby the teacher gives instructions to the students and the students are mostly passive listeners, has been outdated for some time. As more of the Gen Z population enters the workforce, they will not be looking for flipcharts, whiteboards and static computer screens to collaborate with their peers, customers and suppliers – they will be looking for an interactive panel. The large, touch-sensitive display is well suited for engaging several people in meeting spaces, with full colour displays and the ability for everyone to write their own text, call up videos and run a range of software suited to needs with a high range of inter-connectivity to several devices and platforms. Additionally, the possibility to save and recall current and previous collaborations sets them apart from other non-interactive screens, enabling the modern meeting rooms to produce lively, engaging, well-structured and interactive collaboration sessions. In summary, every corporate meeting space looking for future-proof collaboration tools should be equipped with an interactive flat-panel display.