What is an Interactive Board? How Can It Help Your Business?
Interactivity can add a lot to meaningful discussions, and these boards are a great way to facilitate that.
Teams using interactive boards in an office.
If you’re still jotting down meeting notes with markers or relying on printed slides during presentations, it might be time to level up. Smart interactive whiteboards are quickly becoming a staple in modern offices and classrooms, enabling teams to engage and participate in more productive discussions.
But what is an interactive whiteboard, and how can it benefit your team? Let’s take a closer look.
What is an interactive board?
An interactive board, also known as a smart interactive whiteboard or just an interactive whiteboard, is a touchscreen digital display that combines the features and advantages of a whiteboard, computer, and collaboration tool in one.
Instead of writing with markers, users can use a stylus or just their fingers to draw, write, and interact directly on the screen. These boards connect to your computer or run on their own operating system, allowing you to display presentations, launch video calls, access the internet, annotate documents, and save content instantly.
With these features, interactive boards are ideal for meetings, discussions, and brainstorming sessions.
How do interactive boards work?
Interactive boards combine touchscreen technology, a built-in computer system, and collaboration software to function as an all-in-one presentation and communication tool.
Here’s a simplified breakdown of how they work:
- Touch recognition: The board is equipped with infrared, capacitive, or electromagnetic sensors that detect touch input, be it from a stylus or finger. This lets users write, pinch to zoom, swipe between slides, or tap to interact with content.
- Built-in computing or connectivity: Some models (like Android-based boards) have an internal processor and storage, letting you run apps and open files without connecting a PC. OS-free ones require a connected laptop via HDMI or USB.
- Collaboration software: These boards often come with apps that support screen annotation, file sharing, cloud sync, and multi-user interaction. Some even offer real-time remote collaboration tools, allowing off-site team members to join the session.
- Peripheral integration: Many interactive boards support USB devices, wireless keyboards, webcams, or conference mics, making them ideal for hybrid meetings and virtual training.
What are the advantages of an interactive whiteboard for business?
With meetings and discussions being central to just about any workplace, smart interactive whiteboards can streamline communication, encourage participation, and make teamwork more effective. Here’s what it offers:
1. Interactive presentations and meetings
Compared to static slides, an interactive board lets you draw, annotate, or move elements around during your presentation, turning one-way updates into dynamic discussions.
2. Real-time collaboration
Multiple team members can interact with the board at once, whether they’re highlighting key points, brainstorming ideas, or editing diagrams. Some models can also allow remote participants to join in via cloud tools, enabling hybrid teams to stay in the loop.
3. Seamless content sharing and saving
Anything written or shown on the board can be saved, shared via email, or exported to your team’s cloud drive. This eliminates the need to take photos of the board or retype meeting notes afterward.
4. Better engagement during training
Interactive whiteboards can make internal training sessions more engaging. You can display videos, run simulations, or annotate materials live on them, enabling your employees to get more involved while also helping them retain information better.
5. Professional setup
The digital design of smart interactive whiteboards means you don’t have to put up with whiteboard marker stains or hard-to-read notes. Plus, these boards offer a sophisticated appeal that enhances your business image, especially during meetings with clients or investors.
Common business use cases for interactive boards
Being designed for interactive use, interactive boards have plenty of business scenarios to shine in, especially when team meetings are involved:
- Client pitches and sales demos
You get to present solutions dynamically by annotating proposals or live-demoing software.
- Team brainstorms
Visualise mind maps, sketches, and ideas in real-time with input from everyone.
- Video conferences
Use built-in cameras and microphones to run smooth meetings with remote teams or clients.
- Training sessions
Demonstrate processes, give feedback, and create engaging onboarding content.
- Project reviews
Pull up reports or blueprints, mark revisions instantly, and share follow-ups on the spot.
The uses and applications are limitless, and these boards can complement or serve better than projectors when interactivity is needed.
Rent an interactive board in Malaysia with Smart Rental!
With the way work is evolving, an interactive board can give your team and business the edge it needs in meetings and discussions. And the best part is, if you’d prefer not to make a full purchase yet, there’s a smarter way to get started—renting one with us!
Here at Smart Rental, we offer high-quality interactive boards in Malaysia that are ideal for businesses and specced to meet the needs of any team. Together with our flexible rental plans and transparent pricing, you get to reap the benefits of interactive collaboration and improve meetings without a big upfront cost.
Explore our range of interactive whiteboards and find one that suits your business needs today.
FAQs
1. Are interactive whiteboards expensive?
Interactive whiteboards can be a significant investment upfront, ranging from RM4,500 to RM20,000 or more in Malaysia, depending on the brand, size, and features (e.g. 4K display, built-in OS, multi-touch capabilities). Given the high price point, renting an interactive board can offer a more budget-friendly alternative.
2. How long do interactive boards last?
A well-maintained interactive board typically lasts between 5 to 10 years, depending on your usage and model quality. Factors such as screen durability, software updates, and handling all affect how long a given board will last.
3. Which technology is commonly used in interactive whiteboards?
Most smart interactive whiteboards use infrared (IR), capacitive touch, or electromagnetic technology to detect touch and pen input. IR and capacitive are common in business settings due to their responsiveness and ability to support multi-touch functionality, while electromagnetic boards are typically stylus-only and used in more specialised contexts.