LED vs. LCD

For many years, we have been supplying our clients with flat screen monitors with the LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) technology. But what about this new technology called LED (Light Emitting Diode)?

LED monitors are a form of LCD monitors that use the same technology but with a different kind of backlight to produce the displayed image. There are many factors to consider when comparing the two. And of course, there are always those who prefer one or another, but we will stick to the facts.

We will start with the black levels and the contrast as one of the more important factors for producing high quality images and then compare color, weight, power consumption, size and cost. I believe that looking at all of these factors should be enough to create the whole picture in the LED vs. LCD monitor comparison.

One of the biggest problems with displaying the proper black color on LCD monitors is that backlight is always turned on during usage which usually results in a low contrast and a pretty poor display of the dark areas and black colors on the display screen. In order to display black color properly, LCD panel needs to block backlight and make it totally black which in most cases is not possible.

In terms of producing good quality colors, both LED monitors and standard LCD monitors are pretty much the same. Color reproduction of LCD displays depends directly on the quality of the particular panel, while LED displays do not have any specific advantage over them. However, if you are using tri color LED monitors, they have the ability to change backlighting colors when needed according to the scene. Only those displays are capable of producing more accurate colors.

Power consumption on LED displays can be as much as 30-40% less than that of LCD’s and thus they are more green- friendly for the environment.

Size is the biggest thing that you will notice. LED monitors are much thinner than LCD units. LEDs also weigh less if you wishing to mount them on a wall or hang from a ceiling in an office waiting room or other areas.

Pricing at the moment is less expensive for the LCD units, but that is not due to the cost of the technology, but the fact that LCD’s are being mass produced compared with LEDs.

Northern Computer recommends LED units when your budget permits, as over time with less energy, your return on investment will be faster.

- Ken H, Account Manager

Northern Computer - Your Trusted Partner
#1 - 495 Banks Road Kelowna, BC V1X 6A2
Phone: 250.762.7753 Fax: 250.861.1861 Toll-Free: 1.877.257.2896
Email: sales@northerncomputer.ca or service@northerncomputer.ca
Web: http://www.northerncomputer.ca/

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POS and the Customer Experience

I’ve been installing Point of Sale Systems in businesses for almost 20 years now and have come to the conclusion that no matter how powerful the system is, it’s how it’s used that makes a world of difference to the customers of those businesses.

Some companies simply use a POS software package like a cash register – setting up minimal items to sell, processing sales to “cash” customers, and printing out the reconciliation (“Z total”) report at end of day. Others focus on the inventory side of things – making sure they keep track of what they have, but neglect to capture client information at the point of sale.

To truly unleash the value of your point of sale software, no matter what it is, you need to think from the customer’s point of view. As a customer myself, I want a quick and painless process to buy products. That means barcoded items that have prices prominently displayed and scan in easily at the counter. Also important is an itemized receipt showing each product, price and any discounts or loyalty points that I have.

At the same time, if I’m buying a major item like a computer, I would want a record kept of the serial# and a proof of purchase – just in case I have a problem. It’s frustrating to phone in to a store and not being able to find out the date I purchased a product or any relevant information on it. We use a product called CISPro that we developed ourselves and enter every bit of information we can when selling products. When a customer phones in to inquire about what they bought a month, a year or 3 years ago – the information is at our fingertips. That’s a good customer experience and well worth the time invested in the system to provide it.

More companies are investing the time and resources to provide these types of experiences for their clients – it’s just good business to make sure your point of sale system can do the same for your own customers.

Jim C. – Point of Sale Specialist

Northern Computer - Your Trusted Partner
#1 - 495 Banks Road Kelowna, BC V1X 6A2
Phone: 250.762.7753 Fax: 250.861.1861 Toll-Free: 1.877.257.2896
Email: sales@northerncomputer.ca or service@northerncomputer.ca
Web: http://www.northerncomputer.ca

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Healthy Networks are Happy Networks!

The last 20 years of business have been radically transformed by computers.  They are everywhere and they are connected and they talk to each other!   Fax systems are on the decline, having been replaced by email.  Tills are gone, and replaced by advanced POS (Point of Sale) systems.  Everything is available online, and nobody is working when the internet goes down. Many businesses have ominous black boxes, humming away in a forgotten corner, labeled as ‘The server’ and nobody seems to know what it does, until it fails, then everybody is aware of what is affected.

A network is not only the physical connections between individual computers, but also how the computers are configured.  It includes components called switches that provide the connection point from the various computers.  Most networks these days are called a Star Topology, with cables running from the central switch (or switches) to each device.

Many networks include a server, which can provide a number of resources to the workstations connected to it.  Servers can manage printer usage, handle email flow, manage file access and a number of other tasks.

Networks usually include a device to connect everything to the internet, called a router or firewall.  These can be relatively cheap devices for under $50, to sophisticated ones costing thousands.

Several years ago, I was meeting with the Accountant and General Manager at a business that I looked after.  We were discussing purchasing another computer.  The GM, in frustration said “we need to get rid of these damn computers and go back to paper and pencil,” and the accountant replied “well, I’m going to need a few more staff in the accounting department”.

Computers automate so many tasks that the effect is hard to measure.  My brother worked in a coal mine his whole career, and during his time there, the engineering department went from 30 staff to 2 because of automation.

It’s not until the network fails that you discover the value of maintenance.  Running your car without replacing the tires or doing oil changes might work for a while, but everybody agrees that you are better to maintain a car than replace it frequently.  Networks are very much the same.  Sometimes we setup computers and walk away.  Often the computers will run for some time before they experience problems.  The same is true for networks.  It is possible to do zero maintenance, but in the long term, the cost of maintenance is recovered in increased productivity and longer life.  A single day of downtime for many organizations isn’t feasible. 

At Northern we see new clients come in, frustrated with their network performance.  Often the problem isn’t who is looking after the network, it is how well maintained the network is.  Healthy networks are happy networks, and so are the staff that rely on them for their jobs. At Northern Computer we aim to promote healthy networks.  We offer different programs to assist customers in maintaining healthy networks.  Ask about IT Manager contracts and our new Monitoring package.

Click here to read Part 2.

- Mark S, Network Support Technician

Northern Computer - Your Trusted Partner
#1 - 495 Banks Road Kelowna, BC V1X 6A2
Phone: 250.762.7753 Fax: 250.861.1861 Toll-Free: 1.877.257.2896
Email: sales@northerncomputer.ca or service@northerncomputer.ca
Web: http://www.northerncomputer.ca

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