Combining the traditional whiteboard with a touch-sensitive screen and built-in software, interactive flat panels transform the way we present information and collaborate with the audience.
A flat panel is also applicable in various settings, whether you need it for classrooms, corporate meeting rooms, hospitals, and even museums – the possibilities are endless.
In this article, we’ll go deeper into the diverse applications of interactive flat panels in education, business, and public sectors.
At the end, you’ll have a clear reason why buying an interactive flat panel is in your best interest, no matter your industry.
What Is an Interactive Flat Panel?
An interactive flat panel (IFP) combines the functionality of a traditional screen with interactive capabilities.
It offers touchscreen technology that enables users to navigate content, draw, annotate, and interact with multimedia elements directly on the screen.
While similar, interactive panels are different from digital boards. Read our article to learn more about the difference between an interactive flat panel and interactive whiteboard.
Various Applications of Interactive Panel Displays
Without further ado, let’s explore what sectors can benefit from having an interactive flat panel.
Education Sector
With interactive flat panels, educators can now create a more engaging learning experience.
The ability to annotate directly on the screen allows teachers to highlight key points, illustrate concepts, and make real-time adjustments to their lessons.
Encouraging participation is also much easier, as students can interact with lesson materials and collaborate on projects directly on the screen.
Most interactive panels are equipped with a 4K HD display, providing students with crystal-clear images, videos, and text. Since humans are visual beings, this learning method will surely make it easier for learners to understand and retain information.
For example, during a history lesson, the teacher can display a map and annotate it with relevant notes, making the lesson more vivid and memorable.
To spark engagement even more, educators can also integrate third-party software and tools that are compatible with most flat panels:
SMART Notebook: This software enables teachers to export multimedia files, draw shapes and create concept maps, record lessons, and foster an interactive learning session.
Google Classroom: By integrating Google Classroom, educators can create online classes and distribute assignments without using papers. It’s also easy to add videos or Google Forms surveys to each task, as well as give feedback in real time.
Kahoot!: This game-based learning platform is perfect for creating interactive quizzes and polls that engage students in a fun and competitive manner. It works seamlessly with IFPs, so students can participate using their devices.
Microsoft OneNote: Used mostly for note-taking and collaboration, OneNote allows teachers to share notes, diagrams, and multimedia content with ease.
Zoom and Microsoft Teams: These platforms support virtual and hybrid learning environments. As such, teachers can share knowledge beyond classrooms and collaborate with students remotely using an IFP as the central hub.
Corporate Sector
Outside the education sector, interactive flat panels have also left their mark in the corporate world.
From boardrooms and conference rooms to remote meetings, you can use a digital whiteboard in almost any setting.
Boardrooms
Whether presenting your big ideas to a small team or showing your quarterly sales to the board of directors, a flat panel allows you to deliver content in a visually engaging way.
With multi-touch functionality, multiple users can interact with the screen simultaneously, enabling seamless collaboration and idea exchange.
As a result, teams are able to work together more effectively, resulting in faster decision-making and better outcomes.
Conference Rooms
If small whiteboards are built for boardrooms, you can also find a flat panel display large enough for a conference room.
Usually equipped with pixel-perfect visuals and crystal-clear audio, participants can easily follow along with the discussion, even those seated at the back.
Features like touch-screen navigation, file sharing, and multimedia support make meetings and presentations a lot more productive.
Hosts can easily access the web to display online videos, load presentation material from their cloud account, or plug in a laptop and control the device’s screen straight from the whiteboard.
Sharing meeting material files beforehand is also possible. This way, everyone can fully focus on contributing to the discussion, instead of wasting their time writing down notes on papers.
Remote Setting
For remote-first companies, using digital IFPs means breaking geographical boundaries.
Thanks to screen sharing and high-definition video conferencing capabilities, teams can brainstorm ideas and collaborate on projects in real time, regardless of their location.
Some IFPs also offer companion apps that users can download on their mobile devices.
So, as long as there is an internet connection, employees will be able to join online meetings and discussions anytime, anywhere.
Government and Public Sector
Beyond the private nature of classrooms and boardrooms, interactive flat panels are also used in government buildings, museums, and exhibition spaces to provide information to the public.
Buildings and Public Spaces
Have you ever been to a government office and seen interactive maps displayed on digital screens? That’s a flat panel in action.
Users can interact with the screen to search for specific locations, find points of interest, and access additional information about various facilities and services available.
Moreover, dynamic content like news updates, event schedules, and emergency alerts are often displayed on IFPs to keep the public informed.
Besides government buildings, you can also find flat panel displays in public spaces:
City halls: IFPs are installed in city halls to provide citizens with access to municipal services, information about local government initiatives, and interactive maps of city facilities and landmarks.
Transportation hubs: In airports, train stations, and bus terminals, IFPs are used to assist travelers with navigation, display transportation schedules, and provide real-time updates on arrivals and departures.
Public parks: Recreational areas can benefit from a panel display to showcase interactive maps of trails, amenities, and points of interest. It also serves as information hubs for park events, educational programs, and environmental conservation efforts.
Museums and Galleries
In museums, interactive flat panels allow visitors to explore artifacts and historical information in a hands-on manner. This way, students and visitors alike can understand the subject matter much easier.
Combining traditional artwork displays with digital screens also works wonders for art galleries.
With access to digital catalogs and artist biographies, art enthusiasts can gain deeper insights into the creative process and historical context of artworks on exhibit.
Outdoor Events and Exhibitions
Some interactive flat panels are made to withstand harsh weather conditions in outdoor events and exhibitions. They usually come with anti-reflective coating to reduce sun reflections.
More importantly, you can install this type of panel on almost any surface, and easily remove it once the event has concluded.
In terms of applications, outdoor flat panels are perfect for:
Trade shows: Attendees can access product catalogs, view promotional videos, and interact with sales representatives using the touch-screen interface.
Cultural festivals: Interactive displays make it easy to show virtual tours of festival grounds, highlight cultural attractions, and promote community engagement.
Healthcare Facilities
For those working in hospitals or clinics, using an interactive panel display is a great way to educate patients about health topics and improve the healthcare workflow.
Doctors can display medical images, such as X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans, in high resolution to explain diagnoses and discuss treatment options with patients.
When major medical procedures like surgeries need to be taken, simply show interactive diagrams, animations, or videos to demonstrate the steps patients will have to go through.
By doing so, you can clarify potential risks and benefits, and address any questions and concerns the patient might have.
In addition, interactive flat panels are proven to streamline healthcare workflows.
Medical professionals can easily access patient records, diagnostic images, and educational materials in one place.
This reduces administrative burden and improves efficiency, as hospital personnel no longer need to manage paper-based files manually, which is a time consuming process. Plus, it’s also prone to human errors.
Retail and Hospitality
Apart from sharing knowledge in classrooms and providing information in museums, interactive flat panels are also used for commercial purposes.
From electronic banners to in-store digital product displays, IFPs are a great tool for showing products in an appealing and detailed manner.
They instantly capture the attention of passing customers, encouraging them to stop and explore the features, specifications, and different options of the items on display.
Furthermore, restaurants use flat panels to display menus, so potential clients can browse the range of food and beverages before deciding whether to make a visit.
Likewise, you can find IFPs in hotel lobbies, which provide guests with information about hotel amenities, local attractions, and concierge services.
Guests can also explore dining options, book excursions, and request room services using interactive touch-screen displays.
Entertainment Industry
Whether it’s checking out the venue layout or exploring available seating options, an interactive panel ensures a more enjoyable concert experience for music fans.
During live performances, interactive panels could also show the artist or provide subtitles in multiple languages, so everyone can sing together. The Coachella Music Festival is an excellent example of such practice.
In some events, there are also flat panels showcasing user-generated Instagram posts in real-time. This could result in a domino effect where other attendees are more encouraged to participate, making the event feel much more alive.
How to Choose the Right Interactive Panel
Choosing interactive flat panels isn’t always straightforward, as a lot of factors can influence your buying decision.
However, as a general rule of thumb, look for these flat panel specifications when weighing your options:
Screen size and resolution: Choose an appropriate screen size based on the viewing distance and the size of the room where the panel will be installed. Consider the resolution as well to ensure crisp and clear visuals, especially if you plan to display detailed content or multimedia.
Touch technology: Different interactive panels use various touch technologies such as infrared, capacitive, or electromagnetic. Consider the responsiveness, accuracy, and durability of the touch technology based on your intended use.
Connectivity options: Look for panels that offer a variety of input ports such as HDMI, USB, VGA, and wireless connectivity options like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Also, make sure the panel is compatible with your existing devices and systems.
Software compatibility: Some panels come with built-in software suites for collaboration, presentations, and content creation, while others offer compatibility with third-party solutions.
Interactive features: Assess whether the panel offers multi-touch support, pen or stylus input, gesture recognition, and annotation tools. Consider whether the offered touch features align with your needs for collaboration.
Durability and build quality: If the panel display will be installed in outdoor or high-traffic areas, consider factors like scratch resistance, anti-glare coatings, and robustness against accidental impacts.
Price: Think about the initial purchase cost and any additional expenses for installation, maintenance, and software licensing. Compare prices across different brands and models while keeping in mind the features that are most important to you.
Conclusion
Interactive flat panels change the game for many sectors, including education, corporate, public, commercial, and entertainment.
Whatever your needs, make sure to choose a panel with smooth touch capabilities, a high-resolution display, various connectivity options, and durability.
Still not sure where to begin? Simply contact our experts here at Saptshankari. We’ll do our best to give you the right recommendations based on your budget and preferred features.
