Being able to easily and quickly connect is key to efficient use of space. There are wired and wireless options for connectivity and it’s important to think about how many connections you need, as well as security.
Key benefits
Having convenient power connectivity allows users to keep devices charged and so the time they can spend in the room is not limited by battery life. Good connectivity allows users to participate in meetings by sharing content directly from their device. It also allows participants to use a touch enabled display to show and control content without having to refer back to their device. Having the correct connectivity will give you more efficient, more engaging meeting spaces.
Key things to consider
The kind of connectivity you should have depends on your needs, but also consider what your future needs might be. You may not currently need screen mirroring capabilities but if at some point the space will be used for training, for example, this would be a great advantage to have. Think about where you want your connection points to be. Do you want them in a floor box, or would you prefer users have access built into the table? Who will be connected and do you want to grant them access to your network? What kind of devices will need connectivity and what connections do those devices have? Do you need wired, wireless or both kinds of connections available?
Wired
Wired connections offer some specific advantages. You do not need users to have access to your wireless network in order for them to connect. Wired connections do not rely on network speed or reliability. User familiarity is very high with wired connectivity so less user-learning is required. There are however, many kinds of cables that are used for all the devices that may need to connect. Some companies will restrict the ability to download software onto their devices and so a wired connection can guarantee the ability to share content. You should consider carefully what kind of connection ports you will need.
Wireless
Wireless connectivity allows users to connect to a display without the need for cables. This is usually done over your WIFI network but there are options to allow connections to sit on a secure part of your network. One advantage of wireless connectivity is that it doesn’t matter which operating system is used, the latest versions will have the ability to connect. This is sometimes directly or via a downloadable app. Another advantage with wireless connectivity is that fewer cables need to be installed so physical restrictions can be overcome.
Our experts say
Connectivity within office meeting rooms and meeting spaces has never been more important, with agile working becoming more and more prevalent it is essential offices are equipped for employees to connect their devices quickly.