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When it comes to setting up a smart conference room environment, it can be tempting to save a few dollars and opt for an off-the-shelf tablet to control the room. After all, they basically all do the same thing, right? Well, actually no.

While you might be looking to reduce costs where possible, what you’re likely going to find is that the money you save upfront on a tablet purchase is going to cost you more, or be less convenient, in the long run.

So why is it that a dedicated conference room touchscreen is better than a store bought wireless tablet when there are so many seemingly great, versatile options on the market? Here are a few reasons why I believe you should forgo the iPads, the Surfaces, and the Galaxy Tabs for a touchscreen that pairs with your automation system in order to serve a specific function just for that room.

1. To Optimize Your Conference Room

While it can seem like everyone has been turning their businesses into smart enterprises, it’s vital to make sure that that equipment you have serves its purpose. Having gadgets for the sake of having the latest tech doesn’t always make sense in every environment.

We’ve all been there – people are trying to set up technology but there’s a combination of systems, software, and experiences which serves to bog people down in technical difficulties, rather than improving productivity.

A designated conference room touchscreen will allow you to ensure that everything can be used on one specific and reliable platform, doing the work that you want it to do. Instead of having to wait to start a meeting, you can get things up and running in the easiest way possible.

2. To Reduce the Number of Variables

When it comes to setting up your software, it helps where possible to limit the kinds of hardware that you’re using. A specific touchscreen conference display, as opposed to an out of the box wireless tablet, greatly reduces variables.

In most cases, a designated conference room touchscreen will be able to accommodate the tech specifications of all attendees – both in person and remotely. After all, you want people to be able to see and hear everything that they need.

When it comes to source and display control, you want it to be as simple as just pressing a couple of buttons on a device designed for the room.

3. To Limit Interruptions

An off the shelf device is not going to be able to guarantee continuous service or consistency across the board. In general, these tablets will offer a full gamut of apps and experiences which may not work in a highly tailored or specific way.

A conference room touchscreen is also going to be crafted around the needs of you, the conference room user. From file-sharing to adding people to meetings with one touch, the touchscreen isn’t going to be trying to do everything – instead, it’s just very good at what it does for the conference room.

This kind of behavior cannot be guaranteed by an off the shelf tablet solution, and you may find that instead, you have to keep updating your hardware or buying more add-ons and plugins.

Also remember this, the companies that make these tablets want to sell tablets, not conference room solutions. Whether or not the device’s obsolescence is planned, it doesn’t change the fact that it will need to be replaced pretty frequently in the grand scheme of things.

4. To Provide Common Sense Usage

When it comes to setting up your technological infrastructure, it’s common sense for people to opt for whatever their IT department put in place. Yet when it comes to conference rooms, the likelihood is that the room will be run by facilities teams, instead.

In a lot of cases, facilities staff won’t necessarily have the technical experience to manage this kind of workspace. That means that it’s then up to the COO, HR, or meeting leader to run things. Presenting the easiest kind of device is the optimal way to ensure that the location doesn’t suffer from a lack of practicality by requiring proficiency in multiple operating systems. This is where a dedicated touchscreen can make life easier for all concerned. Everyone knows what to expect, and consistency is key.

5. To Set You Up For The Future

As more and more organizations plan to set up a conference room for the future, it’s vital to make sure that you don’t compromise on quality and ease at the start. Any high end automation system from a company such as Crestron or Control4 will make a touchscreen whose sole purpose is to run a room. It will likely cost more but perform better and more efficiently.

Using a touchscreen that is solely designed for the conference room gives a familiar and consistent user interface, which will allow updates and the ability to grow. When it comes to store bought tablets, constant software updates and changes to the various apps you may need to run your room will mean that the convenience you sought out in buying off the shelf will turn into a bigger investment in maintenance in the long run.