For all you care, Microsoft, the largest maker of computer OS, has launched its much awaited giant touch screen computers called Surface Hub. The flagship which goes for the RRP price of NGN 6.6 million (USD 22,000) is an 84-inch touchscreen with a customised stand that can rotate 360 degrees.
Microsoft’s aim of coming to market with this ‘Titanic’ touch screen computer is ‘to improve how people collaborate and serve their customers. By default the screen will come in handy for companies who do a lot of video conferencing, presentations and content analyses.
Surface Hub will be a direct competition to Samsung, LG and Sony who are producing enmasse, HD and 4K Internet enabled TV screens that allow users relatively do what Microsoft’s Surface Hub can do for a half the price. However, the product comes with special visualisation, collaboration and analytics app that a typical Internet-enabled TV does not have.
To convince mostly business customers, Microsoft commissioned Forrester, a research company to see how the product can enhance collaboration and productivity. Its findings concluded that the Surface Hub cuts or nearly-eliminate printing and amongst other things; ‘of more than $850,000 (3 year NPV) based on savings in device deployment and management costs, avoided printing and device purchase costs, and improved sales.’
If you see it as an investment, the Surface Hub will not be a waste of money and space. In today’s world of difficult schedules and need to deliver results under a very short time, a super screen that cuts the chase might be worth it after all.
