Seeing Double Vision

System builders are participating in a highly competitive market where a few additional dollars can make or break the sale, which in turn forces them to leverage the commodity status of low-cost LCD panels and then be able to buy and resell on price alone. The trick, however, is to offer their customers good quality combined with rich features, while also keeping costs down and staying competitive with tier-one vendors.

Longtime monitor manufacturer AOC is looking to service those price-conscious solution providers with their LM Series of LCD monitors. The LM Series is aimed at the entry-level market. By eliminating some features such as integrated speakers and USB hubs, AOC is able to keep the price low, while still focusing on image quality. AOC also offers a higher-end version of the LM Series that includes speakers and other bells and whistles for those systems integrators looking to add a little flash to their offerings.

Available in 15-inch, 17-inch and 19-inch models, AOC&'s basic LM Series has a size to fit most any need. The units are priced at $179, $249 and $299, respectively. The displays boast a refresh rate of 16ms, a contrast ratio of 400:1 and a brightness level of 250 cd/m2. AOC&'s partner program offers a dedicated Web portal, enhanced support and margins in the 15 percent range. A three-year warranty backs up the company&'s products.

Many times, in order to keep prices down, some bells and whistles need to be eschewed. But that should not come at the cost of quality or partner support. AOC has achieved that balance and offers system builders a viable alternative to the tier-one, high-cost, brand-name displays. AOC monitors have an appealing look and the performance to match or exceed any of the entry-level monitors from those tier-one vendors.

For solution providers servicing high-end, vertical markets, opportunities for profits still exist in the form of specialized displays. Solution providers can turn to products that are somewhat unique to meet their customer&'s needs, yet will still garner acceptable margins. The idea behind selling a specialized display usually follows a specific integration need. For example, solution providers selling CAD software likely will extol the virtues of a large screen system, while solution providers selling analysis software to financial customers will push multiple monitor displays.

Case in point: DoubleSight Displays offers dual displays that maximize viewable screen space, while minimizing the impact on usable deskspace. Priced much lower than a comparable large-format screen, DoubleSight brings ultra-large widescreen technology to the typical desktop. Available in 15-inch, 17-inch and 19-inch versions, DoubleSight pairs monitors on an innovative stand to create a wide view or a dual independent view of a user&'s desktop applications.

While some may consider DoubleSight&'s display technology is little more than a pair of LCD monitors, it is how those units are packaged that makes the difference. The monitors are mounted on a specialized stand (or arm) that allows swiveling, tilting and angling of the displays. When mounted, the displays appear as a cohesive unit, allowing users to extend their desktops over an enormous amount of screen real estate, especially when one uses the 19-inch version of the product. That version boasts an 8ms screen response time, along with an overall resolution of 2,560 x 1,024 dpi. Large screens need to be bright and easy to view. DoubleSight&'s units are no exception here, with a contrast ratio of 700:1 and a brightness level of 300 cd/m2.

DoubleSight&'s displays create additional sales opportunities in a number of ways. A PC, for example, has to be capable of driving two displays, which usually translates to a video card sale, along with installation services. Other add-ons come in the form of graphics, CAD or financial software that can leverage a dual-monitor setup. DoubleSight&'s monitors also prove to be cost-effective, with the 15-inch, 17-inch and 19-inch units having retail prices of $899, $1,099 and $1,399 respectively. DoubleSight claims 95 percent of its sales go through the channel and offer channel programs for both large and small VARs. Typical margins are in the 15 percent range, and the Irvine, Calif.-based company offers exceptional warranties with three-year limited parts and labor along with a three-year advanced replacement policy.

With AOC meeting the needs of the commodity market and DoubleSight servicing the high-end market, solution providers can rest assured that opportunity is alive and well when it comes to selling displays.