Many business owners don’t spend a lot of time thinking about communication display benefits. They know they need screens to connect hybrid teams in meeting rooms, issue broadcasts across signage placed throughout the workplace, and even manage administrative tasks, but they often underestimate how valuable these solutions are.
Although some of the most cutting-edge displays, such as the AI-powered Microsoft Surface Hub, or Cisco’s G2 Board Pro can be expensive upfront, it’s important not to underestimate the long-term impact they can have on your company. Used correctly, these tools can bridge the gaps between teams, enhance internal communication, and even inspire creativity.
If you’re trying to establish a business case for a new communication display, or system, here’s what you need to know about the measurable benefits of display technology.
Communication Display Benefits: Calculating ROI
Every piece of technology you purchase for a modern workplace has an upfront cost, and communication displays are no exception. The amount you actually spend on a screen (whether it’s a digital signage solution or meeting room display) can vary drastically. Some all-in-one kits with built-in cameras, and microphones cost thousands, others are far more budget-friendly.
However, there are other costs to consider too. You may need to account for the price of software such as Microsoft Teams Rooms or Zoom Rooms for collaboration, booking apps, or endpoint device management tools. Then there are implementation and maintenance costs to think about.
The key to making an intelligent investment, is weighing the costs against the long-term gains, like reduced meeting times, faster knowledge sharing, or enhanced employee engagement.
With that in mind, let’s look at the long-term benefits of a great communication display.
Enhancing Collaboration (and Boosting Team Performance)
Meetings are notorious time sinks, particularly when team members spend forever fiddling with cables and setting up crucial software. Intuitive communication displays can change that. Many solutions come with built-in software (like Microsoft Teams), that make it easy to load up hybrid meetings in seconds. Some can even recognize employees by appearance and load settings instantly.
Communication display benefits go beyond reducing the effort involved in launching meetings too. For instance, AI-powered tools can transcribe meeting notes automatically, or translate conversations. Touchscreens also give employees an intuitive way to collaborate on projects simultaneously.
As an example, the REWE company uses Neat communication displays and devices with Microsoft Teams to instantly align over 2,000 team members across locations. The easy-to-use and intuitive software has helped staff to reduce time wasted in meetings, improve productivity, and improve employee engagement (even among remote staff).
Boosting Productivity and Efficiency
According to McKinsey data, employees spend almost 20% of their workweek hunting for internal information or chasing colleagues for updates. That’s a colossal drain on resources. Communication displays help because they instantly broadcast what matters, ensuring no one’s left in the dark. They can also help teams share information more effectively and boost creativity.
For instance, Lake Flato architects use cutting-edge collaboration displays and Zoom Rooms to align team members in a hybrid workforce during project design workflows. The company’s unique combination of hardware and software helps staff to work cohesively on designs within the same intuitive platform, wherever they are.
Plus, because Zoom Rooms (and the display systems the company uses), support bring your own device capabilities, employees can connect their own endpoints to the system. That means remote and field-based staff can load documents, designs and sketches onto a meeting room display in seconds. The result is better alignment between teams, and faster innovation.
Minimizing Miscommunication (and Workplace Errors)
Communication chaos is rampant in today’s world, particularly among hybrid teams. When employees have countless emails, notifications, and messages to keep track of, it’s easy for crucial details to fall through the cracks. An effective communication display benefits businesses by giving organizations an easy, accessible way to share information with teams.
Digital signage solutions, for instance, allow companies to instantly share alerts, announcements, and emergency news updates with employees throughout an office. The same messages can even be shared with remote and hybrid workers, through push notifications sent to personal devices.
This fast and efficient way to distribute information doesn’t just boost productivity and performance, it can reduce risks too. For instance, with a series of displays and tool like Joan Workplace Management, companies can share emergency alerts about fire drills and urgent issues business-wide, without delay, ensuring safety and compliance.
Streamlining Workplace Management (and Cutting Costs)
Imagine walking into the office, glancing at a display in the lobby, and immediately knowing which desk or meeting room is free, without having to scour calendars or disrupt a conference. Communication displays help with that, making it easy for employees to search for available spaces, book amenities, and align schedules.
Some displays can even be combined with innovative tools, like Microsoft Places, which uses AI to suggest relevant bookings to hybrid employees based on their needs and workflows. Beyond that, communication displays linked with device management tools, like Logitech Sync, allow companies to track the health of their devices and distribute firmware updates automatically. That helps to streamline maintenance and cut the costs of unexpected disruptions.
Plus, with insights into usage patterns, companies can even gain deeper insights into strategies they can use to cut costs. If you know teams only use a certain number of meeting rooms per week, you know exactly how much you need to invest into workplace tech.
Improving Training Experiences
Training is key to employee growth and company sustainability, but it’s often difficult for companies to deliver immersive training experiences that positively impact employees. The right communication display benefits companies by opening the door to various interactive, collaborative learning experiences. Teams can work together on virtual whiteboarding displays to plan ideas and work through complex tasks as a group.
With integrations to collaboration tools, staff members can even communicate with trainers or educators in real-time (wherever they are), as they progress through training modules. As an example, UNIDA University uses ViewSonic interactive displays to help students learn how to perform surgical procedures with a touchscreen interface.
The result has been a more engaging, immersive learning environment for students, and the company hasn’t had to spend a fortune on more expensive resources, like virtual reality headsets.
Measuring Communication Display Benefits
Ultimately, communication displays can be expensive upfront, particularly if you’re investing in the latest cutting-edge systems with interactive elements or integrated AI. However, the benefits can be astronomical, too. The right displays can help improve communication and collaboration, align your teams, and allow knowledge to flow freely throughout the business.
These tools can enhance creativity and innovation, streamline training and experiences, and even help companies overcome issues with safety and compliance. Plus, by investing in the latest cutting-edge technologies, you boost your chances of employees staying with your business. After all, intuitive technology enhances team satisfaction, and helps to reduce turnover.
Still unsure about the benefits communication displays can offer your business. Explore our guide on how intuitive displays transform employee experiences here. Alternatively, if you need help choosing the best display technology, read this article for top tips on comparing display vendors.
