IMPROVING THE HYBRID WORK ENVIRONMENT - THE ROLE OF NEXT GENERATION MONITORS AND MEETING SPACE SOLUTIONS
Size Matters: Why Screen Resolution is Crucial for Productivity Jo Roth, Correspondent Businesses have been upgrading to larger screen sizes and resolutions in the office environment. However, as they work from home, they risk losing all these gains.
T Higher definition improves performance, user experience and convenience. It stands to reason, therefore, that the same applies to the working environment
HE WORLD is obsessed with resolution. Every new TV, computer, smartphone or tablet bids to outdo the last. In the blink of an eye, we have moved from high definition to ultra-high def, 4K ultra and beyond. Higher definition improves performance, user experience and convenience. It stands to reason, therefore, that the same applies to the working environment. Over the last few years, offices have been upgrading the technical specifications of monitors to offer greater size, more workspace, and a higher definition. However, little work has been done assessing the impact of a shift to remote working has had. In this article we will outline the benefits of larger screens and higher definition and how companies can lock in many of these gains in the remote working environment.
Two is Better Than One Dual monitors have become increasingly common in the office environment. According to research from Jon Peddie Research, dual monitors can increase productivity from 20% to 30%6. A study from the University of Utah found that they reduce errors by 20% and increase job satisfaction and make work less stressful. We spend much of our time cycling between different tabs, so it makes sense to view more than one screen at a time. Dual or multiple monitor setups allow workers to significantly reduce the amount of time it takes to undertake certain tasks including: • Data entry: Faster data entry with fewer errors. • Data sharing: Employees spend more time working on multiple programs. Having more than one monitor makes it easier to share data between them. •R esearch: Having one monitor for research while working on a document increases productivity and reduces fatigue caused by switching from one to another. 10 | WWW.CEOREPORTS.COM
•D rafting content from source material: Having source material directly available reduces the risk of errors. •P roduct comparison: Employees find it easier to make a direct comparison between one product and another if they have both in front of their eyes. Linked dual monitors will also allow users to work on large spreadsheets across both monitors or to keep chat or video conferencing boxes open. These can enable team members to remain connected even when physically separated.
Larger Higher Definition Monitors Just as in the consumer world, employees have been migrating from standard 2k screens to 4k and beyond. These higher definition screens make images sharper and clearer; they reduce eye fatigue and improve the working experience. In addition, higher definition workstations usually have more screen space to work with. This gives more surface with which to view multiple files, tabs, or programs. More data from the University of Utah suggests that a larger screen size can boost productivity. The study compared the work times of people working across 18-inch 20-inch and 24-inch screens. Those working on 24-inch screens worked on average 52% faster than those on the smallest 18-inch screens. Even those working on 20-inch screens experienced a 44% boost compared to those on 18- inches7. Larger monitors, they concluded, could save up to 2.5 hours per day. With technology evolving, monitors are expanding to 27-inch and 32-inch 4k monitors. These offer more space and more clarity together with the ability to view multiple applications. Depending on space, others are moving even further into the ultra-wide curved screen territory with screen sizes of more than 40 inches.
