Q&A with ViewSonic MEA, a leading global provider of educational solutions
In this edition, GESS Talks chats with Max Hsu, Regional Director of ViewSonic MEA. Founded in California, ViewSonic is a leading global provider of visual solutions and conducts business in over 100 countries worldwide. As an innovator and visionary, ViewSonic is committed to providing comprehensive hardware and software solutions that include monitors, projectors, digital signage, ViewBoard interactive displays, and myViewBoard software ecosystem. With over 30 years of expertise in visual displays, ViewSonic has established a strong position for delivering innovative and reliable solutions for education, enterprise, consumer, and professional markets and helping customers “See the Difference.”
Q.1 – Tell us about ViewSonic – which countries are you active in and what is your education offering?
We are a leading provider of visual solutions, our solutions include worldwide markets in interactive display solutions, and advanced investments in innovation and technology.
As a globally recognized leader in visual display technology, we are dedicated to meet the needs of our customers, deliver value to our customers and partners, continuously introduce innovative technologies, products and solutions, and conduct business in an environmentally-friendly manner.
We provide total solution and one-stop consultation as our education offering, such as hardware (IFP, Projector, Touch Monitor, Pen Display), software (myViewBoard, vCast, Device management & Companion App ), Contents, accessories and entire eco system.
Along with Intel we have been providing education & corporate sectors an integrated solution for more powerful ViewBoard interactive panel functions, such as large-scaled wireless group presentation, video conferencing, file sharing and screen sharing solution.
From Dubai office we cover Middle East & Africa region and countries like GCC, LEVANT & Africa.
Q.2 – The face of education has changed completely since the COVID-19 pandemic, what products are ViewSonic offering as solutions during these times and what benefits do they offer to users?
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected educational systems worldwide, ViewSonic made distance learning more accessible, entertaining, and engaging.
We expanded our series in myViewBoard distance learning tools and resources for users, by providing a new tool “myViewBoard Classroom” which educators can use to host a virtual classroom with students having the needed features to implement an interactive & engaging sessions. It’s the easy-to-use and secure software solution.
In addition to the software, ViewSonic MEA had hosted during the pandemic over 100 webinars for users, and we will continue to support education sector all over Middle East & Africa with trainings on our hardware & software solutions.
So as leading Edtech provider in the MEA region, we have been extending our support to all the parties by offering our valuable myViewBoard Distance Learning, completely free of charge during this pandemic. For free registration Click Here
Q.3 – Tell us more about myViewBoard eco system – what are the special features, why is it such an integral solution for the modern classroom?
As we all know, due to pandemic, it has changed our world and affected all aspects of our lives. It also changes the way of teaching and education. People are still discussing about the schools will re-open in new academic year or continue on-line or mixed. No matter educators will be in the classroom, teaching from home, or reaching students via a combination of both method, the myViewBoard™ Ecosystem provides teachers with a complete suite of tools for intuitive content creation and delivery of interactive learning programs.
There are some main features in tools in myViewBoard eco system:
- Digital white-board software: used in physical classrooms with ViewBoard, also can be used with 3rd party video conference app like Zoom or Teams.
- myViewBoard Classroom: as an online browser-based education platform to be used as virtual classroom for distance learning.
- myViewBoard Clips and Original Contents: digital materials to be used by educators.
- myViewBoard Wiki: supports our users to know more and “how to” related questions.
- Device Management: allows IT people to manage ViewSonic IFP remotely and efficiently
- Companion APP: can be downloaded by App store or Play store and used to logo in myViewBoard, throw images, or answer questions.
Q.4 – A lot of teachers and students are unsure what the new academic year will look like, will students be fully back in schools or will there be more of a hybrid model with virtual learning still of equal importance. Tell us more about ViewSonic’s flexible solutions to these differing scenarios and how they can help, and support educators produce materials that engage and interact with students:
The top benefit of ViewSonic myViewBoard software is its flexibility. As there’s uncertainty regarding the new academic year, our solutions can be integrated and used in any Scenario.
For physical classroom, ViewBoard and Intel provides features and tools to educators to prepare materials, easy to present with Intel VPC that provide educators with large scaled wireless presentation, and effective users participation through videoconferencing and file sharing.
As for distance learning part, I’ll highlight myViewBoard Classroom , which is a collaborative tool for delivering education content that enables visual learning, and participation for a full class, individuals, or groups of students. With the ability to conduct group collaboration, manage a virtual classroom with video conferencing tools, and secure user participation, myViewBoard Classroom provides an engaging and collaborative earning environment.
myViewBoard Classroom comes complete with a digital whiteboard canvas, to prepare and present content in real-time. Teachers control when students can ask questions, or make comments, as well as manage who may display their screens to the class for presentations. Student participation is encouraged via the Hand Raise push-to-talk feature and student access to remote writing tools. Independent breakout group discussions are made possible with virtual grouping, allowing real-time annotation and quizzes.
Q.5 – What does the future have in store for ViewSonic?
The future for ViewSonic will hold more innovative and advanced visual solution products, specially that ViewSonic is the lead in interactive flat panel solution in UAE market share as per Future Source results for Q1- 2020. We will continue to work hard to provide quality, value, solutions, while strengthening and maintaining our position as trusted leading position in the local market.
Our priority in delivering outstanding solutions includes the innovative LCD monitors and portable projectors, that are already making a change in the overall home cinema experience for several customers across the region.
Furthermore, due to the potential and opportunity of this market, we will gradually bring in more and more innovative visual solution products like Pen Display, Signature pad and AIO Direct View LED display products into this region in the coming months.
Q.6 – What advice would you give to educators looking to source and purchase interactive digital displays for the classroom – are there any key features or specifications they should look for?
Interactive display has become a critical tool for preparing students for success. With options including interactive flat panels (IFP) and interactive projectors, they should dig a bit to know which technology is right for their classrooms.
There are several types to choose from, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. A clear winner is emerging in interactive flat panel displays like ViewBoard, as it offers numerous advantages over the traditional, projector-based interactive whiteboard as well as interactive projectors.
Educators should take into consideration their budget, space constrains, quality of product (Total cost of ownership), ease use of the product/solution and vendor’s local support and response, then they can make the right choice. The technology is evolving, reliable and good quality hardware product is definitely still important. However, the software plays an even bigger part of the full solution nowadays, and we are very proud of myViewBoard software and entire eco system that has competitive advantage over the other competitors.
For more information about ViewSonic, visit ViewSonic MEA and follow us on Facebook, Instagram.
For inquires, contact sales@mea.viewsonic.com
