The Simply Smarter Blog

Imagine a place where every room is intentionally designed to make your job easier, a place where communication just flows and security is in lockstep with virtually every keystroke, swipe and click. It sounds like a fairy tale, right? While the Fairy Godmother probably doesn’t exist, a dream workplace can be possible with the right technology partner.

You’ll want to have a partner who not only offers a comprehensive range of technology solutions but can also customize and integrate the right tech for every room—from the lobby to the conference room, lunchroom to server room, and beyond!

Sit back and relax as I take you on a journey of what technology for a real-life, dream workplace looks like. Let’s first enter the lobby and travel from room to room.

If you thought projection systems were just for classrooms, movie theaters and big sporting events, you might be surprised to learn how much more powerful and flexible — not to mention affordable — projection technology has become over the past few years. Today’s houses of worship use projectors not only on the walls of large sanctuaries, but also to turn classrooms, meeting spaces, and even floors and ceilings, into colorful canvases of digital images and video.

Let’s take a closer look at how cutting-edge congregations are using projection systems to transform interior spaces throughout their houses of worship. You’ll probably find that many of these ideas spark your own imagination, too.

In the rush to ensure laptops, servers and mobile devices are installed with top level security measures, printers rarely make the cybersecurity highlight reel. After all, they’re just there to spit out paper, right? Think again. In today’s digital age, printers are more like tiny data vaults on your network, and if left unprotected, they can quickly become a hacker’s dream come true. Although SMBs should be on high alert, don’t worry—it’s not all doom and gloom. Protecting your printers can be straightforward if you know where to start. Here are five essential steps to protect your business from unexpected printer vulnerabilities.

Flu and COVID and colds, oh my. Lots of hands touch your copier, so the touchscreens and operation panels should be cleaned and sterilized! But, is it as easy as taking a Clorox wipe to your multifunction printer surfaces, or will that cause more harm than good?

The short answer is – kind of? Although cleaning your copier is easy, there are some things you may not be aware of, so we answered common questions in the following blog.

So, your video projector has been around for a while now.

You’ve properly maintained it, cleaning the filters regularly, changing the lamps before they degrade to the point of exploding or, perhaps not? Either way, at some point it’s worth considering replacing rather than maintaining that aging projector. How can you know when it’s time to consider replacing that important piece of technology?

Just as technology has changed the education and business sectors, it has also transformed the healthcare industry in numerous ways. As the elderly population grows, so do the expectations for modernized care, making technology a key player in providing medical support and enhancing the quality of life. From laptops to displays to MFPs and printers, assisted living facilities can empower their staff to deliver better, faster, and more personalized care.

Over the past decade, video walls have become an increasingly popular digital signage choice. This is because they are particularly effective at engaging people and delivering messages with impact. They present larger, higher resolution images compared to a single display and can be built to almost any configuration to fit a specific space or purpose.

Video walls have found homes in many different types of settings, including corporate offices, retail stores, transportation hubs and sports venues, as well as command and control facilities. When deciding which type of video wall installation is appropriate for your customers’ needs, first determine which of the two basic types of technology – LCD or dvLED – is best suited to the specific application. LCD and dvLED displays have very different features and benefits.

Navigating the world of IT and security can be very overwhelming. With so many facets like software, cybersecurity, and network infrastructure, it’s challenging for small and medium-sized businesses to pinpoint exactly what they need.

While it may be evident that your business requires robust technology, you may be wondering if investing in a Managed IT Services program that involves outsourcing your IT needs to a specialized provider, as so known as a Managed Service Provider (MSP), is worth your while. Here are the top five reasons business owners might hesitate—and why now is the time to reconsider.

Law firms, due to the sensitive nature of the data they handle—ranging from confidential client information to sensitive case details—are at a higher-than-average risk for cyber threats. According to the American Bar Association's 2022 Legal Technology Survey Report, 27% of law firms reported experiencing a security breach, while 25% admitted they aren't sure if their firm has been compromised. The consequences of these breaches are severe, often resulting in financial losses, reputational damage, and compromised client trust. Considering these risks, let’s discuss 8 reasons why cybersecurity should be a top priority for the legal sector.

During a campus emergency, time is of the essence. Communication during a crisis needs to be fast and accurate so that people can react quickly and appropriately. While the advent of text message alerts has increased the ability to reach individuals directly, texts and traditional audio announcements don’t allow for any visual components in mass communications. Unlike text messages and emails – which can take several minutes to show up on a device, and require someone to be checking their phone regularly and/or have the sound turned on – emergency alerts on digital signage appear within seconds. Additionally, our brains process graphics faster than text, and motion catches the eye, so bright messages with moving HD graphics reach more people faster.  In this article, we explore how digital signage’s versatility can service a wide variety of needs on campus, including using it as a central element in emergency communications.

At Sharp, our dedication to high-quality Japanese engineering is deep-rooted. With decades of experience in display innovation, we’ve set a standard in the industry. Here’s why our legacy matters and how it benefits our customers.

In the ever-evolving landscape of office technology, A3 multifunctional printers (MFPs) stand out as a beacon of efficiency and versatility. These devices are not just printers; they are comprehensive solutions that cater to myriad business needs, including printing, scanning, and copying. A3 printers are designed to handle larger paper sizes which are essential for businesses that regularly produce ledger-sized documents, posters, marketing materials, blueprints, and architectural plans.

In early June, I, along with fifteen other interns arrived at Sharp Headquarters in Montvale, New Jersey ready to embark on our internship journey.  A mix of emotions raced through me as I stepped into Sharp on my first day as an intern for Sharp’s office technology division. I was eager to learn about the corporate world and gain hands-on experience but anxious to meet new colleagues and prove myself in a professional setting.

Two months later, I can look back at my anxious self and see that my worries were unnecessary. With supportive and welcoming colleagues, along with an HR team that went above and beyond to ensure our success and inclusion, I was able to gain invaluable experiences and feel truly integrated into the Sharp community.

Direct View LED, or dvLED, is a video display technology that uses light emitting diodes to produce bright, vibrant colors. Because LEDs can produce images that are brighter and higher in contrast than traditional displays, dvLEDs are particularly well suited for providing eye-catching content for digital signage applications in almost any indoor or outdoor environment. Deploying a dvLED display solution, however, requires a thoughtful approach when it comes to the content displayed on it. The overall goal when adopting a dvLED display solution is to ensure that it provides the viewing audience with a great experience while also designing the content so that will help boost ROI by reducing energy consumption and extending the life of the display. Here are some additional things to consider.

Despite living in the digital world of AI and social media, print is still alive and well, thanks in no small part to the creative marketers who are using it to stand out. Online content is abundant and ephemeral today, but printed marketing materials can offer a lasting impression and a tangible connection with customers. Today's savvy marketers are looking for unique printing solutions that can showcase their brand identity and deliver their message effectively. Here are a few methods that are trending.

Visualizing projectors may conjure images of the “3 … 2 … 1” film reel countdown seen on movie theater screens of yore, or of clunky classroom equipment wheeled around on a chalk dust-covered cart – but today’s projectors couldn’t be more different from these relics. Advances in technology provide new levels of brightness, image quality and connectivity options, making projectors ideal for unusual or challenging applications, including areas with high ambient light, uneven surfaces or sharp angles, across a multitude of verticals.

It’s no secret that RFPs are time consuming. In fact, according to a 2023 RFP Trends & Benchmarks Report, writing an RFP response takes an average of 32 hours to complete – and writing it is only half the battle. Even those who benefit from their purchasing department's hard work know the laborious hours that go into vetting vendors and getting a piece of technology into their school or office. But if you're a school, government agency, or non-profit, here's some great news: you can buy technology from a national contract with pre-negotiated pricing! One such national contract is Sourcewell, a cooperative purchasing contract for education, government, and non-profits, that streamlines procurement, saving both time and money – and who doesn’t need more of those?

Improving collaboration has emerged as a key challenge for medium and large enterprises over the past few years. The fundamental need for employees to communicate visually and to collaborate with others working in remote locations has shifted the structure and processes of the modern corporate workplace. From huddle rooms to boardrooms, companies are restructuring their meeting spaces to meet the new collaborative demands of their businesses and to empower workers to be more productive. To keep pace with these changes, collaboration tools have been evolving quickly.

So you are about to sign a contract with a service provider for a new copier. Imagine a scene from an old Western movie: except that instead of two gunslingers, you and your imaging reseller are standing on either side of the negotiation table, ready to strike a deal. While it might not be as dramatic as a showdown at high noon, preparing is still important.

Signing a copier contract does not have to feel like a high-stakes duel. With the right questions, you can confidently ensure you are getting a fair and beneficial deal for your office. 

Read on for the six most essential questions to ask your service provider when signing a printer contract.

While esports have been around since the 1970s, within recent years, the industry has skyrocketed with the global esports market valued at more than 1.6 billion dollars in 2024. As the industry rapidly expands, there is an escalated need for venues to host both in-person and virtual esports events. Determining which type of display will transform a space into one capable of hosting an esports tournament is a crucial component to the event’s success.

Hospitality establishments and entertainment venues are in a unique position today. Because the bulk of the customer experience exists in the real world for hospitality companies, hotels, restaurants, nightclubs, bars, and entertainment venues can make use of their physical spaces to attract, inform and entertain consumers. The key to engaging customers lies in three digital display technologies: projectors, dvLED and large format displays. Here is how these technologies are changing the game for hospitality businesses.

Navigating the waters of workplace technology isn't just about mastering the tools at your disposal; it's about developing a relationship where technology empowers rather than encumbers. By approaching tech with a mindset geared towards learning and adaptability, employees and organizations alike can transform potential pitfalls into powerful allies, ultimately redefining the way work is done for the better.

No matter where your office may be, you're likely to have a relationship with tech. And, like any good relationship, an alliance with technology requires commitment, patience, trust and a whole lot of give and take. 

The introduction of 4K projectors that deliver incredibly high resolution and superior color accuracy has given people the power to bring their imaginations to life like never before. Artists, museums, schools and businesses are leveraging the high detail, true color rendition and cinema-quality video of projectors to reimagine spaces all over the world in order to educate, attract and engage new customers or to uplift and inspire people in new and innovative ways. Simply put, projection technology is paving the way to new possibilities.

Video walls have found homes in many different types of settings, including corporate offices, retail stores, transportation hubs and sports venues, as well as command and control facilities. When deciding which type of video wall installation is appropriate for your customers’ needs, a basic decision is determining which of the two basic types of technologies — LCD or dvLED —  is best for the specific application. LCD and dvLED displays have very different features and benefits. Here's a quick primer on both.

As healthcare organizations move towards value-based reimbursement models, the patient experience is now taking a higher priority. Hospitals have made significant investments in improving scheduling, bill pay and other administrative tasks. But to maximize value — and differentiate themselves from their competitors — many healthcare providers are looking toward new ways to engage patients and visitors and, in doing so, improve patient outcomes. Here are four unique ways that hospitals are currently using high-impact visuals to engage patients, wow visitors and assist clinical staff in providing the best possible patient care. 

The demand for efficient and cost-effective printing solutions is critical in today's world. Multifunction printers (MFPs) have become necessary for offices, schools and institutions worldwide. But how do you determine which MFP is superior? Are all copiers the same and is the notion of a breakdown or inevitable paper jam an unavoidable reality? In this article, we aim to debunk some common misconceptions regarding MFPs, shedding light on the facts to help users make informed decisions and optimize their usage.

Although COVID is far in the rear view, many companies across the U.S. are still grappling with the challenge of getting people back into the office and creating a cohesive and collaborative environment for in-person and remote workers. AV and IT managers are the unsung heroes in this scenario, tasked with the job of finding and setting up tech that not only entices employees back to the office but also boosts team spirit. And they've got to make sure everyone's experience, whether they're at home or in the office, feels seamless.

In the heart of Norcross, GA, Sluss + Padgett LLC (S+P), a prominent commercial HVAC general contractor, is a great example of a company that has flourished amid this challenge. With a nationwide workforce exceeding 100 employees, the company wanted to unite its dispersed teams while modernizing its training facilities. This is the story of how Sluss + Padgett LLC embraced technology to propel its operations forward.

The educational landscape has undergone a profound transformation. Classrooms, once adorned with traditional teaching tools, have evolved into digital hubs where connectivity is no longer a luxury but a fundamental requirement. In fact, recent studies highlight the staggering growth of connected devices. Parks Associates, an IoT market research consulting firm, revealed the number of connected devices per US internet household has increased from 8 devices in 2015 to 17 in 2023.  By 2025, more than half of all educational institutions will have implemented a complete software as a service (SaaS) cloud model.

Cybercrime in 2024 is off to a historic start, as we just saw one of the largest data breaches ever, compromising billions of records and exposing confidential data. This most recent attack shows that bad actors are targeting not only large enterprises or government organizations but also smaller businesses and individuals. It’s a sobering reminder to be conscious about what security measures you currently have in place for your organization, where you can improve, and what to do if your data is leaked in a future “Mother of All Breaches” type of attack.

Educators and school support staff already have a tough enough job as it is. Add outdated and malfunctioning technology to the mix, and you have an academic perfect storm. This is what faced the Macon County School District, located in southwestern North Carolina near the Appalachian Trail. They were dealing with outdated printers and copiers and needed to modernize quickly in order to spend less time worrying about tech and more time focusing on their 4,400 students. As such, they turned to Sharp for updated and innovative solutions to their printing environment needs.