New Flat Panels Increase Worker Productivity

What&s more, selling that comfort can be a big boon to a solution provider, especially when one considers the generous margins generated by some flat-panel displays.

For users, the biggest improvement offered by flat panels is the elimination of screen flicker, which reduces eyestrain—often associated with CRTs. Other benefits include increased resolution, reduced heat and power use, and smaller form factors.

Not all flat panels are created equal. The latest models offer more screen real estate, widescreen aspect ratios, faster response times, wider viewing angles, higher contrast ratios, and brighter and sharper images.

Considered within this context are a new 20-inch widescreen display from Philips Business Solutions and 19-inch units from Samsung Electronics America and ViewSonic.

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unit-1659132512259
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Sponsored post

PHILIPS BUSINESS SOLUTIONS 200W6
Philips& new 200w6 is a 20-inch widescreen display with a native resolution of 1,680 x 1,050, a new size that can easily display two full-size documents or applications side-by-side. The monitor is ideal for the financial and insurance sectors, professional desktop publishers, engineers, financial analysts and architects. The display offers a 16-millisecond response time and a 176-degree viewing angle. It includes analog and digital inputs, and built-in speakers.

What&s more, Philips& SmartManage asset management technology lets network administrators track and control Philips monitors from a remote location. This display is also fully compliant with European Union legislation on Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS), which among other things, specifies the use of lead-free soldering and components. A relative bargain, the 200W6 costs $699.99.

Philips&s channel program has a vertical structure. To become an Authorized Philips Reseller, VARs must prove their business is based on business-to-business selling as opposed to selling strictly via the Internet. Authorized resellers receive no-cost evaluation units, specially priced demo units, rewards, promotions and more. Premier resellers enjoy an additional set of rewards.

SAMSUNG OF AMERICA SYNCMASTER 930BF
Samsung&s SyncMaster 930bf is a 19-inch flat-panel display offering a native resolution of 1,280 x 1,024 and a 160-degree viewing angle. It has a fast response time of 4 milliseconds, but note that this is a gray-to-gray specification. Regardless, this is still one of the fastest flat panels on the market, which basically means that brightness is maintained evenly, eyestrain is reduced and video playback is quite smooth.

Like the Philips display, the SyncMaster 930BF features both VGA and DVI inputs. It has a built-in power supply but does not have built-in speakers. Samsung&s image quality is very good, and text is crisp. The display has a suggested retail price of $499.

Samsung&s Power Partner program was revamped in January 2002 to include three levels, which are determined based on the sales revenue of Samsung products that a VAR generates as well as its overall market potential. Benefits of the Samsung program include a sales incentive fund, rebates, bid pricing, government and education pricing, free collateral, a training program, a leasing program and a toll-free reseller line. Margins average between 12 percent and 18 percent, the company said.

VIEWSONIC VA912B BR>ViewSonic&s New VA912b is a real bargain. The 19-inch LCD display is priced at $399, with street prices closer to $340. It offers the same basic features as the Samsung unit but for $100 less. Like most 19-inch flat panels, this one offers a native resolution of 1,280 x 1,024. And like Samsung&s offering, this display has both VGA and DVI inputs. The unit offers response times as fast as 8 milliseconds, with an 800:1 contrast ratio.

Unlike the Samsung product, ViewSonic&s VA912b uses an external power supply, but it does have built-in speakers. The ViewSonic monitor&s image quality is quite good, though it&s not quite as vivid as that offered by the Samsung flat panel.

ViewSonic backs its VA912b display with a three-year warranty; resellers also can take advantage of an optional exchange program, which guarantees replacement within 48 hours. About 99 percent of ViewSonic&s products are sold through the channel. Its PartnerView Program consists of a single level. There are no minimum requirements for VARs to sell the VA912b offering, and profit margins vary by distributor. ViewSonic offers free 24x7 technical support for up to three years.