The interactive whiteboard market has grown at a tremendous pace over the last few years. When interactive whiteboards were first introduced, they were only popular in the United States, Canada, and the UK. Today, interactive whiteboards are found all over the world.
It’s difficult to do research on the prices of interactive whiteboards on the internet. There is way too much information to sort through in a reasonable fashion. Many web sites will take the easy way out and direct you to a contact form, an email address, or a phone number that says, “Call for Price”. Phone calls to other local Office Technology dealers in Pennsylvania almost always result in “Let me call you right back”. Even teachers and other education professionals have no idea what an interactive whiteboard would cost.
If you are looking for an easy answer on price, you have come to the right place. Edwards Business Systems is a leading dealer of interactive whiteboards. We can help you sort through the clutter and give you the information you need to establish a budget for purchasing an interactive whiteboard. This article will help identify and discuss the factors impacting the costs of interactive whiteboards.
Most interactive whiteboards will cost between $1500 and $15,000 depending on a number of factors such as size, brand, resolution, features, and accessories. Buying interactive white boards in larger quantities will usually result in a lower per-unit price.
What Are Interactive Whiteboards and How Do They Work?
Interactive whiteboards, also known as a smartboards, are interactive displays that function like a conventional whiteboard that displays user input either directly or through other devices.
Old fashioned “analog” whiteboards have been used to share messages, capture information, and facilitate brainstorming and collaboration for many decades. Interactive whiteboards have the same basic conventional whiteboard functionality with the ability to connect to the Internet and increase the range of functions that it can perform.
The technology behind interactive whiteboards uses large format digital flat screens with an operating system on a chip that use a tablet, laptop, or other devices for user interaction. Since handwriting and character recognition are generally included functions, keyboards are often not included for input. Interactive whiteboard software usually includes the ability to manually mark the display using a stylus, digital pen, or a user’s fingers. They can use multi-media and give teachers specialized learning tools for their students.
Interactive whiteboards are used in classrooms, boardrooms, engineering, business centers, and project management applications. Interactive white boards can be found in almost every school system and have become indispensable pieces of classroom instructional technology.
What Drives up the Price of an Interactive Whiteboard?
There are several factors that drive up the cost of an Interactive Whiteboard.
Size: The main feature that can increase the cost of an Interactive Whiteboard is size. The general rule is that bigger screen size equals a higher price. The most popular sizes for Interactive Whiteboards range from 55 inches to 98 inches when measured diagonally. The most commonly purchased sizes range between 65 and 84 inches.
A 55 inch board can be had for under $1000, while a 98 inch board can cost in excess of $10,000.
Software: Software can be a hidden or unexpected factor that adds to the price of an Interactive White Board. Specialized applications and programs can cost from $0 to over $600 per instance depending on the app. Cloud services or other software that enhances connectivity, storage, or performance can cost between $150 and $1500 per month. Make sure you know what software you will need for your Interactive Whiteboard, as software can equal or even exceed the price of the actual display board.
Accessories: Accessories and other extras for your White Board can also add significantly to the cost of your interactive display solution. Pens and erasers can range from $25 to over $200. Wall mounts and rolling stands can range from $250 to well over $1500. Extra cameras or camera upgrades can cost from $100 to $250 depending on resolution and features.
Resolution: With 8K displays just now coming onto the market, you can assume that higher resolution equals higher price.
Brand: Just like any other product, certain brands cost more than other brands. A BMW will usually cost more than a Honda.
It’s easier than you think to add features and accessories to your Interactive Smartboard that can significantly drive up the bottom-line price. Do your research to ensure you are not sold any extras that you don’t need.
What Drives the Price of an Interactive Whiteboard Down?
The factors that drive the price of a Digital Whiteboard down are the same ones that drive the cost of Interactive Whiteboards up, but in reverse order.
Size: Smaller Interactive White Boards will usually cost less than larger ones. Put some serious thought into whether you really need that huge 98 inch whiteboard. Small rooms can be overwhelmed with an enormous board. Keep in mind that a really large Interactive Whiteboard will be difficult to move around even if it’s on a moveable stand or cart. Putting a really large Digital Whiteboard on a wall mount will have special hardware and structural considerations. So smaller boards will generally be less expensive all the way around.
Software: Software can add a great deal of cost. Consider the minimum features that your Interactive Digital Display will need. Cloud services are generally a good deal, but be aware of pricey popular or proprietary programs that can only work with a certain type or brand of Interactive Smart Board.
Accessories: Think about what you will actually need. A 98 inch Interactive White Board will require an expensive rolling stand if you need to move it around. Even the most expensive rolling cart or rolling stand will not eliminate the difficulty in moving such a heavy, big, bulky board around your office or school.
Resolution: Consider the environment and audience for your digital display. Having an 8K display resolution is probably more important of you are purchasing for a high-end conference center. School age children probably won’t notice the difference.
Brand: Some brands are a good value for price paid. At Edwards Business Systems, we sell and service the Sharp Aquos brand, because we believe the Sharp Interactive White Boards are reliable and perform exceptionally well for the price.
You can save a lot of money by not overbuying for your Interactive Smart Board. Don’t get a display that is larger than you need, and carefully consider the actual cost of software and other Interactive Whiteboard accessories before making a final buying decision. Your local EBS sales rep can help you decide what you will need to buy in order to meet your particular requirements.
Why Do Some Interactive Whiteboard Companies Have Higher Prices than Others?
There are a number of reasons why some Interactive Digital Display Dealerships charge higher prices than others do.
Experience: Select a dealership that has a lot of experience selling and installing Interactive Whiteboards. Edwards Business Systems has installed Interactive White Boards for large public-school systems, and understands the potential challenges of a large and complicated implementation. A less-experienced dealership may charge more (and ultimately COST you more) because they are learning on the job.
Brand: Some dealers represent more expensive brands. Do your homework and ask your dealer sales rep which brands they sell and which of those brands are the best deal for the money.
Implementation and Training Fees: Some Interactive White Board dealers will charge a premium for installation and training fees. Be sure to ask your salesperson to itemize the training and other related charges separately so you can compare and know exactly what you are paying for.
Why Are Some Interactive White Board Dealers Cheaper Than Others?
There are a number of reasons why some Interactive Digital Display Dealerships are less expensive than others:
Experience: An Interactive White Board dealer who sells a lot of Interactive Display Boards will be familiar with the entire sales cycle and the installation and training process much better than a dealer who occasionally sells these devices. Dealers who sell a large number of Interactive Displays will get volume buying discounts from the manufacturers and can offer these devices for a reduced price.
Brand: Look for an Office Technology Dealer who offers more than one line of Interactive Whiteboards. Be sure to have your salesperson explain the cost differences and value of the various brands and models so you don’t overpay for technology you won’t use or don’t need.
Installation and Training Fees: Dealers who sell a large volume of Interactive White Boards will also have a booming business in implementation and training deliverables. High volume will allow them to charge a reasonable fee for professional services for Interactive Whiteboard installs.
Selecting the Best Interactive Display for YOU!
While many companies offer decent products, it often comes down to who you buy them from and who will support them. Why do companies charge more for hardware than others? Like anything, you tend to get what you pay for. If a price seems too good to be true, it probably is. When you buy an Interactive Whiteboard, you are entering a multi-year commitment and you want to be sure the dealership will be there and will live up to their contracts. Do your research on the company, check out their BBBB accreditation, references, and reputation. It is expensive to run a quality and sustainable organization, to provide the proper training and certification for their employees, competitive compensation and benefits and that ultimately impacts your cost. If you want the absolute cheapest Interactive Display Board you can probably find it, but remember you want to know that the company will still be there to support that inexpensive solution.
Does this mean you should overpay for your Interactive Whiteboards? Of course not! What it means is you should expect to pay a competitive price and enter into a win/win agreement that delivers a customized solution for you and a reasonable profit for the dealer who you want to become a trusted business partner.
Where does Edwards Business Systems Fit?
We think that Edwards Business Systems is the ideal Interactive Whiteboard dealership. Not too cheap, not too expensive, but right in the center. We employ experienced, skilled technicians and we pay them commensurate with their abilities. EBS provides a quality document technology service. We also sell a consistently high volume of Interactive White Boards, so we understand our processes and can sell and repair the technology we sell very efficiently. We also have some used Interactive Whiteboards in our inventory and demo rooms that are available as more cost-effective options.
So, if you are interested in learning more about Interactive Displays, please contact us and an expert member of our team will reach out to you.
To learn more about exactly how much an Interactive Whiteboard will cost your organization, fill out the form below and we can provide a no obligation quote. Buying an interactive Whiteboard need not be a dreaded task; this is an opportunity to improve productivity, security, efficiency and get a good deal. Plus, we work with you in your preferred way, either remotely or in person.
