Technology is transforming the way we work. Businesses have been utilizing various digital tools in promoting the new smart working model. One of the tools that is widely used in the corporate world is the interactive whiteboards technology is advancing, more and more interactive whiteboards of different brands and models are introduced to the market. Choosing the most suitable interactive whiteboard for your business can be challenging, especially when you have a unique requirement to meet.

However, in our opinion, buyers need to check and compare some of the most important features of interactive whiteboards before making any purchase. No matter how powerful or attractive a interactive whiteboard is, it would not help your business if it cannot even provide these important features.

In this article, we will look at the top 5most important features that an interactive whiteboard should have.

1.Whiteboard Feature

2.Document Viewer

3.Video Conferencing

4.Web Browsing

5.File Saving & Transfer

Whiteboard Feature

As an alternative to a whiteboard, it does not make sense if an interactive whiteboard is not equipped with a basic whiteboard feature. Users must be allowed to write or erase directly on the HD smart board panel. Besides, the whiteboard feature should also allow the user to change pen colour or the stroke thickness easily.You can always get one or two smart pens when you purchase a whiteboard. Pen writing is the core feature of an interactive whiteboard. A great whiteboard product can provide a smooth and intuitive pen writing experience. In short, a good interactive whiteboard should allow the user to at least do whatever he can with a whiteboard.

Document Viewer

A great interactive smartboard must have the ability to support various digital file formats such as Word documents, PPT, PDF, images, and videos. Broad compatibility is important. Users want to display any content that they prefer fast and easily, so they can focus on more important tasks such as discussion and decision making.

Video Conferencing

Remote meeting or video conference is the trend nowadays. The recent global pandemic also leads to the boom of video conferencing. Video conferencing plays an important role in both teaching and meeting purposes. Hence, consumers are constantly looking for a tool or a solution that can help them to communicate without travelling.

A few years ago, video conferencing was not a feature that whiteboard manufacturers would pay attention to. However, things are different today. Most interactive whiteboards in the market today are equipped with built-in front cameras and video conferencing applications. Some can even support popular applications such as Zoom and Google Meet. Besides, manufacturers have also started to put more effort into improving the built-in speakers and the microphones. Video conferencing is an important feature that could never be missed.

Web Browsing

The greatest benefit of using a whiteboard is its ability to allow an active discussion among participants. An active discussion is a discussion where every participant is free to share his or her ideas without limitations. Ideas can come in many forms such as sketches, images, texts, and videos.Unlike traditional displays such as whiteboards and projector screens, an interactive whiteboard is not only a display. It is also a tool that helps users to access a resource library with all sorts of information. Thanks to the built-in internet browser, users of an interactive smartboard can always look for information or resources online during a discussion.When an idea or information is accessible, a discussion or a classroom session can run effectively without any delay.

File Saving & Transfer

As a highly collaborative digital display, the abilities of an interactive whiteboard in file saving and transferring are extremely important. If an interactive whiteboard cannot import or export a file easily, it is no different than a conventional whiteboard.Users can always upload files to the interactive whiteboard from their smartphones or devices. After annotating or making notes onto any displayed document, the annotated document can be saved and transferred to participants’ devices via the wireless connection or scanning the QR code. Besides, most interactive whiteboards are equipped with USB ports. Users can plug in USB drives anytime to transfer files.

Conclusion

Different organizations or consumers have different criteria when selecting the most appropriate interactive whiteboard. However, no matter what your standard is or what your application is, if the interactive whiteboard is not equipped with the functions mentioned above, you should not buy a interactive whiteboard. Without these features, it will never help you run your application smoothly. A car without wheels is never a car.