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What is the Best Collaboration Alternative for Vibe Smartboard Pro?

  • 2022-03-17
Looking for a perfect remote collaboration display for a creative team? Here are the key questions to consider when comparing different models for brainstorming.

Many companies today are finding new ways of using their office space, shifting the emphasis away from one large (and rarely-used) conference room to multiple huddle rooms using cloud-connected interactive displays that help in-person and remote teams collaborate and ideate more effectively.

 

Vibe is a relatively new manufacturer of collaboration displays, while BenQ is one of the largest commercial display brands in the world - so what questions should companies be considering when deciding if the 75” Vibe Pro is right for them? Let’s consider the following to compare BenQ’s RE series entry level collaboration display with the Vibe Pro board.

 

-          What operating system runs each display

-          How does Remote cloud whiteboarding & cloud storage work on each display

-          How does each display enhance workplace safety?

-          Which display is easier to manage?

Proprietary or Open Operating System?

For any computer-powered interactive display – the first question is about what operating system runs on the display.  The Vibe runs on VibeOS – a proprietary operating system which supports about 50 apps listed on its website.  The BenQ RE display comes with an Android operating system, with over 3 million apps available.  For companies that use Microsoft products, the BenQ RE includes support for Microsoft Office documents, but can also be equipped with a Windows PC directly into the display.  

Cloud Collaboration & Whiteboarding

Reliable cloud collaboration tools are the “secret sauce” for any successful meeting room display – making them truly valuable for remote teams. Both the Vibe and BenQ interactive displays offer an excellent set of cloud collaboration tools.   This was introduced by BenQ in 2019 on the BenQ boards for education – and both displays enable any remote user to join the whiteboard session using a computer, phone, or tablet. 

 

With the BenQ system, you can simply share a QR code or a link to connect to the display from anywhere.  A button on the software enables you to switch from broadcast mode – where only the presenter can write on the board – to collaboration mode – where anyone can write on the board from a remote connection.

Cloud Storage & Sharing with Google Drive, OneDrive and Dropbox?

Both displays have the ability to store and use content from cloud-based drives – making it easy to share files and whiteboards with your team.  But the biggest difference is the ease of use.

 

The BenQ display maximizes meeting time and user security by enabling a team member to log in to the display using their smartphone – instead of typing it on the screen.  This process takes only a few seconds – then instantly connects their personal and company cloud storage to their BenQBoard profile. This includes Dropbox, OneDrive, and Google Drive.

 

The Vibe Smartboard Pro has users sign in manually with a username and password to the board each time they use it. Vibe does feature integrations with today’s leading cloud storage services as well, but some features such as the Google Play store are labeled as an “experimental feature”.

Whiteboard Object Recognition – Pens, fingers, or palms?

Perhaps the biggest practical difference between the Vibe and the BenQ RE display is writing on the board.  With the Vibe – you have to write – and erase - on the board with a pen.  It does not support the use of any other input device.

 

The BenQ display uses advanced shape recognition to support any type of creative brainstorming.  In addition to pens, the display will recognize a finger for writing, and to erase – simply wipe over it with your palm.  Perhaps the most innovative feature is the variable-width “paintbrush” mode, where you can use any object – including a real paintbrush- to draw on the display, offering fantastic flexibility as an ideation and innovation tool. 

How does each display enhance workplace safety?

The COVID-19 pandemic caused a fundamental shift in the way companies build their meeting spaces, and employee health and safety has never been a higher priority than now. It is essential to outfit huddle spaces with displays that directly address user safety. 

Anti-Microbial Coating for employee safety

Both the BenQ and Vibe displays use hardened, heat tempered glass to avoid having the risk of broken glass if a person or object bumps into the panel, and have anti-glare coatings. The BenQ display uses a special process where, each panel is coated with a silver ion anti-microbial coating, which then is baked onto the glass.

 

This coating is certified by Germany’s TUV as highly effective against multiple types of bacteria, including e. Coli, salmonella, and staphylococcus. The coating is also certified as safe for any hypo-allergic employees by Japan’s SIAA, meaning BenQ’s anti-microbial displays are a very safe choice for any huddle space. Vibe does not offer any anti-microbial protective coatings on its displays.

Blue Light Protection & Flicker-Free Screens

Extended exposure to blue light, for example, can negatively affect sleep patterns. Even prolonged exposure to flickering LCD screens can cause eye strain and other health problems.

 

To solve this problem, every BenQ interactive display is built with automatic blue light filters and a flicker-free screen – developed specifically to reduce eye strain during prolonged use. The Vibe Pro features no blue light filters and uses a traditional LCD screen, which could pose a risk to users engaged in lengthy meetings in front of the display. 

How simple is the device to manage?

As your organization grows – most IT managers look for scalable tools to manage displays in multiple locations. To help ensure quick support from IT staff – only select displays with built-in, centralized device management capabilities. These essential tools help keep your company’s devices up-to-date and secure.

 

BenQ’s Device Management Solution (DMS) offers centralized management for every company display and projector, regardless of the brand. If you happen to have legacy projectors from Epson, Hitachi, NEC, and other brands, BenQ’s software can also support these devices – turning them on/off or other functions such as switching sources.

 

BenQ’s Account management software enables your IT staff to set up each employee or guest account using Active Directory, allowing easy management of user-profiles and access control from a single location – saving your IT staff valuable time and leveraging existing resources.

 

The Vibe does not have any remote management or account management software available for the display at the time of writing this article.  There is a beta version of their Fleet Management software that can be requested.

So which interactive display is best for my huddle space – BenQ or Vibe?

While both the Vibe Pro and BenQ’s entry-level RE model share similar features such as 4K resolution, wireless screen mirroring, and cloud whiteboarding software, there are a number key differences in addition to the price that can help you decide which brand of interactive touch display will be right for your team. 

 

You may also want to consider other BenQ models that have integrated array microphones, cameras, and other features as well.  Each BenQ display comes with a three year warranty that can be extended to five years, while the Vibe only offers a one year warranty.

 

BenQ Collaboration Bundle

Vibe Smart Board

Samsung Flip

Google Jamboard

 

Screen Size

BenQ Collaboration Bundle

65 Inches

Vibe Smart Board

55 Inches

Samsung Flip

65 Inches

Google Jamboard

55 inches

 

# of Touch Points

BenQ Collaboration Bundle

20

Vibe Smart Board

16

Samsung Flip

4

Google Jamboard

10

 

Remote Whiteboard Software

BenQ Collaboration Bundle

Yes

 

Vibe Smart Board

Yes

Samsung Flip

No

Google Jamboard

Yes

 

Supported Touch

BenQ Collaboration Bundle

Pen, Finger, Paintbrush

Vibe Smart Board

Pen

Samsung Flip

Pen, Finger, Paintbrush

Google Jamboard

Pen, Finger

 

Palm Erase

BenQ Collaboration Bundle

Yes

Vibe Smart Board

No

Samsung Flip

Yes

Google Jamboard

Yes

 

Antimicrobial Screen

BenQ Collaboration Bundle

Yes

Vibe Smart Board

No

Samsung Flip

Yes

Google Jamboard

No

 

Operating System

BenQ Collaboration Bundle

Android

Windows (optional)

Vibe Smart Board

Proprietary
Vibe OS

Samsung Flip

Proprietary
Tizen

Google Jamboard

Android

 

Camera

BenQ Collaboration Bundle

Yes

Vibe Smart Board

Yes

Samsung Flip

No

Google Jamboard

Yes

 

Rolling Stand

BenQ Collaboration Bundle

Included

Vibe Smart Board

$500

Samsung Flip

No

Google Jamboard

$1600

 

Single Sign-On using QR Code

BenQ Collaboration Bundle

Yes

Vibe Smart Board

No

Samsung Flip

No

Google Jamboard

No

 

Active Directory and Azure Integration

BenQ Collaboration Bundle

Yes

Vibe Smart Board

No

Samsung Flip

No

Google Jamboard

No

 

Warranty

BenQ Collaboration Bundle

3 Years

Vibe Smart Board

1 Year

Samsung Flip

3 Year

Google Jamboard

1 Year

 

Price

BenQ Collaboration Bundle

$2999
Free Shipping

Stand Included

Vibe Smart Board

$2999

Free Shipping
Stand is Extra

Samsung Flip

$2599

Free Shipping

No Stand

Google Jamboard

$4999

Free Shipping

Stand is Extra