Touch screen displays provide many applications for businesses. Public information displays like kiosks and trade show displays, restaurants and retail only hint at the possibilities. You'll see productivity gains through less time needed to enter data by employees and self-service for people using ATM machines or airline ticket terminals, among others. Some touch screen manufactures provide robust and rugged screens to withstand the rigors of an industrial environment.
Touch screen devices vary according to the underlying technology. Resistive touch screens come in a 4-wire model, good for touch screen laptop computers and PC monitors though not as efficient, or 5-wire models in stand-alone units or as an add-on for your current CRT and LCD screen. This popular technology gives flexibility in larger workplace applications. The capacitive touch screen has higher clarity for large applications like point-to-point sales. Surface acoustic wave displays give quick response.
Consider the type of technology needed for your applications before buying:
1. For popular touch screen displays with a wide range of applications, consider a resistive technology.
2. For clarity and larger applications, see the capacitive type for your touch screen PC.
3. For the most advanced technology, consider surface acoustic wave (SAW) touch screens.
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Get a resistive touch screen computer for individual or heavy use
A 4-wire CRT or LCD touch screen display provides affordability and is primarily good for home, office and individual use. This technology isn't as durable as the 5-wire. Buy a 5-wire display for durability in restaurants, retail and point of sale usage.
I recommend: See a wide selection of small size 4-wire displays at
Densitron Displays. See a 15-inch 5-wire at
SlimAgeDirect, which also offers other models from 8 to 19 inches.
Consider capacitive touch screens for durability and clarity
These offer high resolution for restaurants, kiosks, and point of sales, but can only be activated by a bare fingertip. They come in both CRT and LCD monitors.
I recommend: See the 15-inch at touch screen manufacturer
Planar. For another PC touchscreen, see the 3M/MicroTouch designed for harsher environments and available from
TouchScreen.
See the surface acoustic wave (SAW) touch screens, ranked as most advanced
SAW technology offers excellent image clarity in clean environments. A SAW touch screen PC works with either fingertip or stylus.
I recommend: Look at a
Dell 15-inch SAW PC for self-service kiosks and point of sale. The HP L5006t offers affordability with their 15-inch SAW; find it at
CompSource.
Install an add-on to convert your monitor to a touch screen computer
An add-on kit for your computer's monitor enables you to operate any PC by touch. Choose one that fits your current display area. Software drivers are included.
I recommend: Choose color and size for an add-on at
TouchScreens.com. Go to
EnableMart for more add-ons for your current monitor.
Choose an industrial touch screen computer monitor
For environments where flimsy won't do, go industrial.
I recommend: Stealth, the touch screen manufacturer of TuffTouch, offers heavy-duty monitors with optional mounting options. Look at the variety of industrial touch screen displays, as options, for the type that fits your business at
VartechSystems.
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
- Check the model's ability to use your preferred method of touch. Some react only to bare fingertips, others bare fingers and gloves and some allow the use of a stylus in addition to the fingertip.
- When ordering a PC touchscreen add-on kit, see how the manufacturer measures the screen. Never buy a kit smaller than the diagonal measurement of your monitor.
The official source of Touch Screen Displays is the Touch Screen Displays page at Business.com
Related Resources from Business.com
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