6 Factors to Consider When Purchasing Presentation Technology

The very first need for any presentation is a format to create the presentation on. There are piles of presentation software available, both free and available for purchase. Just because a presentation platform comes with a price doesn’t mean it is the best for your company. The software to utilize for your presentations depends on your company’s needs. Some software will offer a large amount of customization. However, these programs are often complicated and require significant training and time for employees to manage the learning curve. Other software will have templates laid out and a simple user interface to organize presentations quickly and cleanly. This may not provide the same wow factor that some presentations need. There is also software that allows for collaboration between two remote employees. Consider the needs of your employees and choose your software accordingly. Remember, not everyone is as technically savvy as you are.

Product show is presentation software Prezi.

Often presenters will need to pull up videos, photos, websites, etc. throughout the duration of their presentation. Switching back and forth throughout the presentation can cause problems. Videos don’t load correctly, slides don’t sync as they should, and things go awry. Further, presenters may wish to leave a slide up while scrolling through another medium to highlight their points. There are many types of multimedia software that will solve these problems. Screens and projection systems can display different media at the same time. A website can be up in one corner while a slide shows on the opposite side, and a company logo is displayed in the remaining area of the screen. This gives presentation a higher professional and technical profile, which can be a plus when presenting to clients. Keep in mind that the more progressive the software, the more cost to the company. Purchasing extra screens or projectors, along with programming them to work correctly, will add to the price of the system.

Product shown is Synthesis by Anacore. Displayed on Clarity Matrix video wall system by Planar at Lowe Campbell Ewald in Detroit. Integration provided by BlueWater Technologies.

Wireless connection to presentation devices has become more and more prevalent as technology increases and prices for that technology drops. At this point, it is almost less convenient to choose presentation technology that needs a hook-up. So many employees are bringing in and working on their own devices that a company would require chords for a significant amount of computer, tablet, and smartphone models. For those companies trying to impress incoming clients along with their presentation, chords can seem outdated and reflect poorly on the company’s ability. First, decide if your company engages in presentations enough that installing a wireless system is worth your while. If so, consider the technology that your company utilizes. Choose a wireless system that will work well with the types of products being utilized in your office.

Product shown is Apple TV featuring Airplay.

Projection systems can be a great solution for presentation needs. If your company is in need of very large presentation displays, a projection system is able to provide a significant image against backdrops. Multiple projection display systems can be used to display separate media on the same screen. Projectors can be set to display various media in unconventional and creative patterns. Keep in mind the throw distance of your projection system. A projector with a long throw distance can provide sharp imaging at long distances. These systems come in handy for large presentation spaces, especially where the projection system must be held far back behind the audience. Make sure to place long throw projectors in a position where light won’t be obstructive, creating shadows on the screen. For small offices with cramped space, short throw and ultra-short throw projectors can be utilized to give imagery from close up, eliminating shadows and still giving a crisp image.

Product shown is BrightLink 475Wi Interactive WXGA 3LCD Projector by Epson.

LCD, LED, Plasma, 4k; There are a significant amount of options when it comes to choosing a screen for your company’s presentations. For the most part, the higher the resolution, the higher the price. Stunning display systems can impress potential clients, but could be unnecessary for regular in-house presentations. If your company deals in photography or film often, paying for a higher resolution could be necessary to properly display the media. The size of presentation rooms will reflect the size of the groups that will be participating in presentations. This will determine the size of the screen you will need. Multiple, tiled screen systems can allow for a larger display and lend themselves nicely to multimedia display technology.

Product shown is XBR 55X850A 4K Ultra HD TV by Sony.

For unplanned presentations, a whiteboard can come in handy. The very base would be a traditional whiteboard to draw on and erase. While this helps with brainstorming sessions, it does little to save data to draw upon after the writing has been erased. Smart whiteboards can be written upon freely by a presenter trying to display a point. Depending on the sophistication of the system, information written on the whiteboard can be streamed onto devices within the room. Information can also be saved into a file to be catalogued for future use and distribution. In some cases, a smart whiteboard is an unnecessary expenditure. If your company often participates in off-the-cuff presentations, a smart whiteboard could help save data and improve communication overall.

Product shown is SMART Board 685 with UF75w projector by SMART Technologies.