With an increase in use of touch screens in computing, some people are predicting an end to the traditional keyboard, so touch look set to replace the keyboard.

The great advantage to using touch screens is that you don’t need a separate input and output device, which is the main reason table computers have become so successful, the display, keyboard and PC are all packaged in a handy slim line system.

Despite their growing popularity and advantages over keyboards, touch screens do have some drawbacks. Firstly, they offer very little feel for those that type, namely writers; however, a similar argument was made against the computer keyboard when people began moving from typewriters to PCs, and we know what happened to the typewriter.

Will touchscreens replace keyboards/

But touch screens do have other drawbacks too. Touch screens are unresponsive to gloved hands, making their use impractical for certain industrial applications. Dusty, damp or dirty environments also cause problems for touch screens, as dirt and debris lead to false inputs.

However, different touch screens use multiple technologies to achieve the same results and each method has advantages and disadvantages, which may or may not make them suitable for differing environments.

Resistive touch screens are the most versatile, as they consist of a glass plate covered with both a conductive and a resistive metallic layers; this is the type of technology most tablet computers employ. Resistive touch screens, however, are susceptible to interference from debris and dirt so are not suitable for most industrial applications.

Capacitive touch screens, on the other hand, store electrical charges on the glass panel face, transferring to the user when touched, making them more resistant to contaminants, which makes them an ideal solution industrial applications.

Touch Screen Popularity Signals the End of the Keyboard is a post from: Armagard

Some locations, however, are not suitable environments for standard IT hardware and often this means that using devices in these areas is prohibitive. Wash down locations such as food-processing plants are one such location. In these areas, any hardware needs waterproofing.

Armagard’s computer, monitor and printer enclosures enable the use of standard hardware in all sorts of environments. In wet and wash down locations, these PC enclosures provide protection from water and liquids with stainless steel enclosures ensuring no corrosion.

The enclosures also maintain stable temperatures enabling use even in chillers, freezers and hot houses.

Waterproof computer keyboards and mouse pointing devices provide the input devices, and these two can withstand liquids, splashes and wash down.

Screens used for communication can also be protected with LCD enclosures, which come in a wide range of sizes and can accommodate nearly any make and model of standard TV device. Ideal for digital signage in industrial, manufacturing or factory environments, LCD enclosures also provide an inexpensive method outdoor digital signage.

Medical Equipment

In hospitals, clinics, dentists and other medical environments, the need to clean equipment is essential to reduce the spread of hospital-acquired infections. A computer keyboard and mouse can easily spread infection because different users often use the same equipment; a keyboard and mouse can harbour more germs than a toilet seat so a solution is essential.

Most computer keyboards and mouse systems can’t be cleaned effectively; however, Armagard’s range of medical keyboard and mouse devices are designed to limit bacterial build-up and can be washed clean with both water and anti-bacterial solutions.

Washable and medical keyboards are now an essential part of infection control in many medical locations.

Waterproof Products from Armagard is a post from: Armagard

Technology has advanced exponentially over the last two decades, and Armagard have had to ensure their products match the ever-changing face of modern technologies. One of the biggest changes over the last decade or so has been the rise of the flat screen television.

Few people still use CRT monitors and TVs with LCD and plasmas now being ubiquitous in both consumer and commercial uses. For this reason, Armagard began producing their LCD enclosure range, designed to accommodate these modern screens, and come in all the major screen sizes.

LCD enclosures are incredibly popular, primarily because of the rise of outdoor digital signage and the increase in use of information screens, but all sorts of other enclosures exist in Armagard’s range too.

Computer enclosures are still a common requirement in some locations such as factory floors and industrial units. While industrial computers can operate in harsh environments, they often don’t provide enough flexibility and cooperation with IT systems already used around the office, which is why so many people turn to standard PCs and house them in an Armagard enclosure.

Printer’s too, struggle to operate in locations outside of offices and home environments, and have traditionally been unable to work in location where temperatures are close to zero. Armagard’s printer enclosure range not only allows printer use in dusty and wet environments, but heated printer enclosures mean even chillers and freezer locations can use printers.

Security is another reason people turn to an Armagard enclosure. Computer safes and anti-vandal LCD enclosures help protect valuable assets from theft and abuse.

Armagard Computer Enclosure

Armagard Computer Safe

Armagard Printer Enclosure

Types of Armagard Enclosure is a post from: Armagard

But our front rooms are not the only places televisions are used. Because of the slender nature of modern devices they are being used in all sorts of locations. Digital signage, for instance, is a common sight in shopping centres and retail units, and many businesses are installing LCD and plasma screens to provide internal messages to staff and visitors.

And even hostile locations such as outdoor environments where outdoor digital signage is being installed, factories and other industrial locations are using screens as a means of communication.

These locations, however, are not well-suited for using standard TV equipment as they contain many hostile elements that will very quickly disable a modern LCD or plasma, quite possibly permanently.

Outdoor digital signage has obviously got o cope with rain and other weather elements while screens used in industrial type locales have other hazards such as dust, possible impacts, and varying temperatures to contend with.

A common solution for coping with these hostile elements is to house standard LCD and plasma screens in protective TV cabinets – designed to keep hostile elements away from the device and allowing them to function in these environments.

These plasma and LCD enclosures are often made of steel and produced to relevant national and international guidelines (IP and NEMA). They are designed to prevent the ingress of any moisture, dust, grease and virtually any other hostile elements, whilst also containing internal cooling fans and other climatic systems to ensure the internal temperature of the LCD enclosure is always a the optimum for the screen.

Being steel, LCD enclosures are also tough, able to withstand accident impact on the factory floor, and also vandalism when used outside for outdoor digital signage.

LCD enclosures provide a cost effective and comprehensive method of installing TVs in hostile locations enabling standard LCD and plasma screens to bee used almost anywhere.

Using LCD’s in Hostile Environments is a post from: Armagard

Obviously, not all these locations are as clean, warm and dry as your average office – and many industrial locations are regularly hosed down or cleaned making them precarious areas for devices like PCs, monitors and other computer peripherals.

And in locations like hospitals and clean rooms where infection control is essential these devices have to be cleaned regularly – and washing computers can be fraught with difficulty. It’s not just the electronic devices either, the peripherals like keyboards and mice are virtually impossible to get clean as all the nooks and crannies are ideal places for bacteria cultures to grow.

Fortunately, there are many methods for allowing computers and other IT equipment to not only work in locations where water is used liberally, but there are also specialist devices designed for use in hospitals and clean rooms.

Medical keyboards and washable mouse pointing devices are designed to prevent bacteria from growing. Often manufactured from germ resistant silicone, these devices can be washed without fear of damage.

Computers however, are a different animal and most office PCs can neither be washed down or can provide a barrier against pathogens; however, waterproof computer enclosures are available that can house standard devices, including the monitors, can be used. These house the standard PC but as the enclosure can be washed and hosed down they are an easy way of using computers in wet and wash down locations.

For medical areas, restricted breathing and airtight computer and monitor enclosures do a similar thing – but have the added function of preventing pathogens from getting in, or out, of the enclosure.

Even printers can be protected in wash down environments as waterproof printer enclosures are available that protect the printer (and paper/labels) from hose down, as can touch screens.

And if only monitors are used, waterproof monitor and LCD enclosures are also available allowing standard display devices to be placed almost anywhere.

Waterproof Computer Products is a post from: Armagard

This digital outdoor signage market is expected to expand too, with outdoor advertising organisations predicting a continuous rise, possibly ending up overtaking the number of new static signs.

Whatever the future holds, outdoor digital signage is here to stay but it has its drawbacks. Cost is a factor in this new industry. Compared to an indoor signage campaign the costs can be quite high.

The highest cost of an outdoor campaign is the protection. A normal screen can’t obviously be taken outside in the rain or other inclement weather – not without it breaking, permanently.

There also needs to be some consideration into the temperature the device has to work in, which can also add to the cost, especially in areas that suffer from both extremes.

And then there is the physical protection to think about. Even if you buy a waterproof TV with a wide temperature operating range, if it is not secured from theft or protected from vandalism, the device will either get stolen or smashed.

While some of these challenges can be overcome with the latest range of outdoor TVs that can operate in wide temperature ranges and are waterproofed (although few have physical protection) they are also highly expensive.

Often costing five times more than a standard commercial device, waterproof outdoor TVs are very expensive; however, there is an alternative.

LCD Enclosures are a cost effective alternative to these expensive TV systems. They house standard devices but provide all the applicable protection that can allow them to operate outdoors.

Waterproofed, LCD enclosures have temperature controls and as well as protecting the LCD (in a tough steel enclosure) they can house the media player or PC that is used to upload the device.

Outdoor Digital Signage and the LCD Enclosure – perfect bedfellows is a post from: Armagard

New methods of advertising arise all the time, especially in the digital age with so many new technologies – such as mobile phones and the internet – being continually developed.

Nearly any medium can be used for advertising so it is no surprise with the advent of flat screen technology used outside the home for purposes of signage; advertising became the earliest adopters.

Digital signage has many advantages over other forms of advertising, including:

• The ability to reach large audiences without the excessive costs of TV, radio or newspaper advertising.
• Is far more eye-catching and noticeable than traditional printed media
• Flexible – messages can be uploaded centrally and even scheduled to appear at specific times – such as rush hour or lunch time.
• Advertisers can use the same screen for multiple messages and adverts with a single screen able to display endless number of adverts.

Digital screens used for advertising are now everywhere; even outdoor digital signage is spreading along our high streets and roadsides; seemingly there is no place where digital screens can go.

This is partly due to the all-weather technologies that are emerging to protect these devices in outdoor and hostile locations. Waterproof TV sets are readily available (at a price) as are waterproof LCD enclosures which can ensure even standard LCD screens are kept dry and at optimum temperatures in outdoor locations.

Digital Signage – an Ad Revolution is a post from: Armagard

And big screen TVs are commonly being installed outside entertainment areas such as pubs, restaurants and bars for viewing sporting events outdoors.

But there are a lot of difficulties in attempting to use a TV in an outdoor location such as ensuring it is protected and readable. It can also be expensive with many of the large sized outdoor screens costing tens of thousands of dollars.

However, it neither needs to be difficult or expensive as there are simpler and more cost effective methods of using a large screen LCD or plasma outdoors.

Protection

Protection is perhaps the most fundamental challenging aspect of outdoor digital signage or outdoor big screen TV usage. But is can be easy to ensure the device is kept waterproofed and can handle the cold of the winter and heat of the summer.

A weatherproof LCD enclosure will house and standard or commercial LCD or plasma screen or outdoor use. They can go as large as 70” which is ample size for most big-screen outdoor TV needs.

They also offer physical protection against accidental and deliberate damage as they are mainly constructed from solid steel – important to ensure the device is not damaged. The screen face too is often protected with a shatterproof layer to prevent any damage that way.

Screen

Once you have to right protection it is time to decide on the screen to use. As the LCD enclosure will already offer waterproof and outdoor protection there is no need to buy an expensive outdoor or waterproof TV.

This can save a fortune but it is with spending extra on a commercial grade television and preferably one that is high brightness.

Brightness is perhaps the key to ensuring you have decent readability in direct sunlight although compromises can be made using shades, canopies and anti-reflective tints.

Big Screen – Outdoor TVs for any Budget is a post from: Armagard

A few years behind the indoor market, outdoor digital signage is now catching up fast. More and more installs are being erected along roadsides, high streets and outside shop frontages.

But it is not just advertising that these outdoor screens are being used for. LCD screens are often taken outdoors for whole host of other reasons; such as providing information or screening TV events such as sports games.

However, as a relatively new industry there can often be failures, common mistakes of breakdowns caused by a lack of experience in this new industry.

Even the biggest can go bad

When NFL stalwarts the Dallas Cowboys had a giant digital signage screen installed in their stadium all was going well. The giant 90 feet high screen that hung over the pitch was used for displaying scores, important match information and advertising.

And while there was never an issue with the technology it was soon discovered that the screen was too low -amazingly when a visiting team went for a conversion the screen was hit by the ball, deflecting it from its path and causing a controversial in-game decision.

But even regular sized outdoor digital signage can often run into problems:

Protection is vital

There are several common problems associated with using screens in outdoor locations, and most failures occur because of inadequate protection:

• Waterproof – all outdoor digital signage screens should be housed in a waterproof LCD enclosure to prevent rainfall from entering.

• Impacts – Both accidental and deliberate impacts can disable a screen

• Lack of screen protection – Smashed screens are a hazard and a common cause of failure – all screens should be protected with a shatterproof layer.

• Excessive temperatures – Outdoor locations can vary in temperature from sub-zero to extreme heat and any signage system has to have adequate cooling and heating systems to cope.

When Outdoor Digital Signage Goes Wrong is a post from: Armagard

In fact, in many cities there doesn’t seem to be a spare wall, concourse, corridor or store frontage that doesn’t have a screen displaying active and eye-catching content.
However, with so many TV screens being deployed in this environment, digital signage is in danger of becoming the norm, as static and traditional print media has become. If a shopping mall becomes too littered with LCD screens, then the audience becomes desensitised to them and they lose their uniqueness and ability to engage.

However, there is one method of ensuring your digital advertising campaign stays one step ahead of the game – place the screens outside.

Outdoor digital signage is becoming more and more popular as implementers realise the benefits of the outdoor environment. Not only are LCD displays less common outdoors, the potential audience is far greater.

Outdoor digital signage, however, is not as straight forward as indoor systems to install. Not only do outdoor LCD displays need to be protected from the weather and varying temperatures but as they are often left unsupervised in unmanned areas they need to be protected from vandalism and theft too.

An outdoor LCD enclosure is an obvious solution for all these challenges for protecting outdoor digital signage. Not only can IP65 waterproof LCD enclosures protect from the weather elements but also many contain cooling and heating elements to ensure optimum internal temperatures.

LCD enclosure are also commonly manufactured from mild steel and fitted with theft proof and anti-vandal measures such as shatterproof glass, tamper proof locks or other security measures.

Digital Advertising and Taking the Next Step – Outdoor Digital Signage is a post from: Armagard