Almost without realising it, we all use touch screen technology every single day – and almost certainly multiple times per day! Our smart phones have become like an extra limb, but we also use touch screens to order fast food, buy tickets, play pokies, and withdraw money from ATMs. The increasing predominance of touch screens, however, should be no surprise – and not just because the technology is becoming better, more robust, more flexible, more reliable, and more affordable. This reality-based method for technological interaction replaces the now out-of-date keyboard and mouse, it saves space, it’s more mobile, it’s faster, it improves accessibility, it’s easy to use, clean and maintain – and the list of benefits just goes on and on.
The business world has been quick to capitalise, because touch screens are easy, quick and instinctive to use, they empower staff and customer autonomy, they make ordering, paying or requesting simple and even enjoyable – and operational and marketing teams recognise the near-revolutionary benefits to make their brands recognisable, renowned and highly profitable. The industry is tipped to keep growing at a near-exponential rate at least for the next several years, convincing many businesses to scrap their old methods and leap into the new ‘era of touch’.
But if your industry or business is among them, how will you navigate the early phase of your ‘touch’ era and choose the right touch screens for your purposes, and for maximal impact?
-
What’s it for?
You don’t want your investments to collect dust, so ensure you get touch screens that are fit for purpose. Will it be used for brainstorming at meetings, or will you need something more mobile for breakout sessions? Will it be for customer interaction, for factory floor operations, or for internal presentations? Will it be wall mounted, or will it need to be on wheels or hand-held? Contemplating the answers will guide your next steps.
-
Make your choice
Touch screen technology is now developing apace – so there’s a lot to choose from. There’s entry-level infrared touch options, more sophisticated and expensive capacative touch, the very latest ‘InGlass touch’ for a truly intuitive user experience, and even touch projectors that enable interaction with remote screens via live video.
-
What size?
Next up, there’s the array of typical touch screen sizes – although custom orders are also increasingly adopted by businesses who wielding the full potential of this exciting technological world. Among the most popular standard sizes are 55, 65, 76 and 85 inch options, although 27″ or 92″-plus may be sufficient depending on what it’s used for, and how many people will be viewing it from what distance.
-
What computer?
It may be all about the screen – but it’s also all about the software and the processor! Yes, the computer running the show needs to be powerful to handle the required tasks, but there are still plenty of options to consider: will the PC be built-in or will you plug it in, and will it have its own dedicated system or are you bringing your own? Then, will your setup require external cams, microphones and speakers, and will you future-proof it for likely upgrades as technology and your usage matures?
The ‘era of touch’: Start exploring today
By getting your planning right ahead of your big move into the ‘era of touch’, you maximise the chances that your systems will be widely adopted and engaging, easy to use and maintain, optimised for performance, and – crucially – a major contributor to your ultimate goal: bigger profits. If you’re ready for your business to benefit from touch screens, the time is now to start exploring the near-endless possibilities.
