Medical LCD Displays v. Commercial LCD Displays

July 25, 2019July 25, 2019 Michelle

In the medical setting, commercial LCD displays simply do not meet the requirements for daily, routine use. Medical LCD displays, having passed a series of rigorous tests, are the only way to ensure patient information is adequately represented on screen. Here are some of the major differences between medical LCD displays and mass commercial LCD displays.

Governing Body Requirements

While commercial LCD displays can market themselves as they see fit, medical LCD displays are held to multiple regulatory bodies that govern how they are presented. A typical medical LCD display will meet standards set by the FDA, and meet UL/EC60601-1 guidelines. These wide ranging rules ensure that every Medical LCD display by Tangent has an antimicrobial casing, extremely low radiation output, and does not leak excess electrical current.

High Image Stability

Constant image brightness and representation is key to accurate readouts on any medical LCD display. A typical commercial LCD display can see a fall of up to 40% in luminance in a mere two years. For the medical setting, where displays require superb image representation for x-ray images, this simply won’t do. Reproducing an image from one day to the next with extreme accuracy is a must, and Medical LCD displays by Tangent are designed with this fact in mind. Medical LCD displays curb this fall with luminance stabilizers, which slow down luminance degradation, ensuring image accuracy over the course of the display’s lifetime.

DICOM Compatibility

Another way to stop luminance degradation in medical LCD displays is with a DICOM system. a DICOM system system acts as an image stabilizer, and is often integrated directly into the screen of a medical LCD display. These systems compute calculations related to how an image should be displayed, and accurately describes the end result to the display to produce an accurate image. Commercial LCD displays forego DICOM support altogether, and can suffer image distortion early in their life. DICOM supported medical LCD displays from Tangent last far beyond their commercial counterparts, with precise imaging throughout their lifespan.

Medical LCD Displays Win Out

That’s a fact. Commercial LCD displays simply do not have the image stabilization, Dicom support, or government approval to be used in the medical setting. Medical LCD displays from Tangent beat out commercial LCD displays in every category, and are a perfect fit for any medical setting.

Industrial PCs for Automation

July 24, 2019July 25, 2019 Michelle

When it comes to repetitive and mundane tasks, workers often experience burnout or a lack of enthusiasm towards their work. This is where industrial PCs can make a difference, automating the repeating tasks of a factory floor and freeing up workers to take on more stimulating jobs. As industrial PC power grows, the ways in which automation can help your factory floor achieve greater productivity also grow.

Freeing Up Workers

We’ve come a long way from the days where an employee would stand for eight hours, tightening the same bolt into the same position across hundreds of units. Today, industrial PCs have automated the bulk of easy, repetitive tasks. This allows for workers who would have previously been stuck doing such tasks to take on more engaging roles. With industrial PCs that come equipped with factory proof panel screens, workers can check in on how automated jobs are performing without the hassle of using an outdated mouse-and-keyboard setup. Mounted industrial PCs allow workers to quickly check up on the assembly line, and get right back to work.

Increasing Workplace Safety Without Decreasing Productivity

No one wants to work in an unsafe environment, and studies show that happy workers are productive workers. Industrial PCs can provide your workplace with a safe way to automate the jobs that have the potential to be dangerous, while increasing productivity. In addition, industrial PCs can be hooked up to your factory’s network, allowing industrial PCs to take full advantage of all the various sensors present on the floor. When industrial PCs are networked with sensors, they can alert workers to changes in production, safety concerns, and general announcements from management. The ease of access that industrial PC panels offer means that in the event of an emergency on the floor, workers will know exactly what is going on, and how to react properly.

Reducing Worker Fatigue

From clocking in to getting employee feedback, industrial PCs make reducing worker fatigue a simple and attainable goal. With industrial PC tablets that can be used on the go, workers can clock in and out of the job without having to wait in a long line. Instead, they can simply clock in and out with their personal industrial PC tablet, saving them valuable break time and ensuring that they are refreshed when they return to work. In addition, equipping your workforce with industrial PC tablets means that when management needs to gain valuable worker insight, they don’t have to call a meeting and stop the assembly line. Instead, they can push out a survey or questionnaire to the workforce who can then provide feedback immediately.

Industrial PCs: Automation Made Easy

There’s no better way to automate parts of your factory than with industrial PCs. Whether you need to automate a potentially dangerous task, upgrade employee communications, or increase productivity, industrial PCs from Tangent have your back.

Medical Computers for Major Hospitals

July 17, 2019July 20, 2019 Michelle

When computers were first introduced into the medical setting, they were still something of a luxury. Today, computers are an invaluable tool for providing patients with safe, secure, and quick care. While there are many different types of computers, computers used in the medical setting should be medical computers.Tangent medical computers come in many variants, each designed to meet certain needs in the medical setting.

All-In-One Computers

When it comes to versatility, Tangent’s line of all-in-one touchscreen medical computers are unbeaten. With VESA 75 standardized mounting, all-in-one touchscreen computers such as the Medix KW Series can be placed or mounted in any setting. The widescreen display of the Medix KW allows for more information to be available on screen at any given time, and the 4-wire resistive touchscreen ensures that you can access files with ease.

Tangent all-in-one touchscreen computers are Ul60601 certified, meeting rigorous medical safety standards. As a result, Tangent medical computers are antimicrobic, meaning that they prevent the growth of bacteria on their surfaces. The prevention of harmful pathogens like MRSA and Hepatitis from lingering on the computer screen allows doctors to focus more of their energy on their patients, and less on worrying about the medical computers aiding them.

Medical Cart Computers

When it comes to workstations on wheels and medical carts, medical cart computers offer the best mobility to power ratio. Like the all-in-one medical computer, medical cart computers from Tangent are UL60601 certified antimicrobic and sport responsive touch screens. However, models such as the Medix E22B medical computer feature hot-swappable batteries, and can run 24×7 without needing to wait for a charge. Simply swap out a dying battery for a fully charged one, and the Medix E33B is ready for the next eight hours.

Medical Tablet PCs

When you’re on the move through the hospital, Tangent medical tablet PCs ensure that you’ll be connected to all your patient’s information. Featuring a convenient carrying handle, the

Medix T13 medical tablet is an incredibly portable tablet with a powerful 8th generation intel CPU. The Medix T13 comes equipped with an antimicrobial housing, hot-swap batteries, and a magnesium chassis that is 33% lighter than aluminum yet still delivers an impressively high strength-to-weight ratio.

Tangent's Medical LCD Monitor — Tangent’s Medical LCD Monitor

Medical Monitors

When a room is fitted with an all-in-one PC but needs a secondary screen, medical monitors from Tangent play a critical role. The Touch Screen Medical LCD Monitor from Tangent provides a second full-touchscreen monitor to a medical computer, one that can be mounted on a point-of-care cart, desktop, or arm. The Touch Screen Medical LCD Monitor can fit either VESA 75 or VESA 100 mounts, allowing it to be placed in virtually any situation that it is needed. Just like the medical computer it is attached to, the Touch Screen Medical LCD Monitor from Tangent has an antimicrobial enclosure.

There is no one-size-fits-all medical computer that can complete every task, after all the operations of a medical cart are vastly different than that of the exam room. But with Tangent’s array of medical computers, you can be sure that all your hospital’s computing needs will be met. From all-in-one pcs to medical tablets, Tangent’s wide variety of available medical computers ensures that you have the right computer, at the right place, at the right time.

Industrial Computers for Car Wash Tunnel Systems

July 17, 2019July 17, 2019 Michelle

When it comes to car wash tunnel control systems, most car washes are stuck in the past. Bulky, ancient control systems dominate the market, requiring an extensive and specific knowledge to operate and maintain. Computer power has risen exponentially over the past decade, and these archaic systems not only lag behind in usability, but in power and speed as well. So what’s preventing the switch from control systems to actual computers?

Simple: durability.

The S-Series line of industrial computers from Tangent solves this issue, providing the durability car wash owners come to expect from their tunnel control system and the user-friendliness of a home computer. The S-series models comes equipped with impressive 20G peak shock resistance, a solid anti-corrosion stainless steel chassis, and a solid state hard drive(SSD) with up to 2,000 gigabytes of storage. The large shock resistance ensures peace of mind that anywhere you put this industrial computer will be a good place. The anti-corrosion chassis is IP69K certified water proof, meaning that this computer could be hit with a stray water jet from the tunnel and be completely fine. Not only will this industrial computer survive the toughest conditions car washes have to offer, the up to 2,000 gigabyte SSD means that it will remain lightning-quick the whole time. The best part? The S-Series line comes with Windows 10 preloaded, meaning that this industrial computer will be as easy for car wash managers to interface with as their own office computer.

Like the S-Series, the VITA KW line of industrial computers from Tangent offers durability expected of an industrial computer coupled with the ease of access that Windows 10 offers. The VITA KW line features a 2.0 mpixel camera, allowing one to check up on things in the car wash without being there physically. The system also features a failsafe watchdog timer, that allows the VITA KW to detect and recover from computer malfunctions. In addition, the VITA KW features a Trusted Platform Module which safely and securely stores personal information used to authenticate the computer’s integrity, making unwanted or unexpected changes to the industrial computer’s hardware from outside entities far less likely.

While mounted systems are the industry standard, they comprise by being fixed to one location, usually in an out-of-the-way back room. The S-Series line is compact enough to be placed directly in the tunnel, but for even prompter access there is the R14 All-In-One Industrial Tablet PC from Tangent. This industrial tablet PC has more maximum CPU power than the 2018 IPad, meets military shock resistance standards, and of course—is IP65 water resistant. The R14 sports twin Li-Ion 11.4VDC batteries capable of lasting up to 18 hours under constant use, ensuring that this industrial tablet PC will last an entire work day. With wifi and bluetooth capabilities built in, tunnel guides will have immediate access to the tunnel control system wherever they are in the tunnel—not just the front.

Tunnel control systems don’t have to be room-filling gargantuans, they can be small enough to fit in your hands. With the S-Series and VITA KW line of industrial computers, and the R14 industrial tablet PC, controlling the tunnel can be as easy as sending an email.

Antimicrobial Computers: Achieve Sanitation in Healthcare

July 17, 2019July 17, 2019 Michelle

While it is impossible to create a completely sterile hospital, mitigating the spread of germs is a must in any medical setting. The concentration of sick individuals in a hospital means that every surface is a potential breeding ground for harmful bacteria. The many surfaces of medical computers are no exception to this, and the need for doctors to go back and forth from patient to keyboard puts these surfaces at greater risk. That’s why all medical computers today are antimicrobial computers that halt the growth and spread of dangerous bacteria on their surfaces.

Antimicrobial computers are, simply put, computers that are treated to inhibit the growth of microorganisms on their surfaces. Manufacturers produce antimicrobial computers by coating the surfaces of the computer with an antimicrobial chemical that is harmful to microorganisms, but have no effect on humans. Some metals, such as copper and silver, exhibit natural antimicrobial properties and are used in certain areas for this property. However, when it comes to antimicrobial computers, coating their surfaces and screens with antimicrobial chemicals is the standard approach.

The International Electrotechnical Commission(IEC) has set out a series of guidelines known as IEC60601 for medical computers to abide by. In order for a medical computer to be sold in the United States, it must meet an altered version of the standards produced by the United States called UL60601. One of the key components of these guidelines is the requirement for computers used in the medical setting to be antimicrobial computers. There are many other requirements for an antimicrobial computer to be UL60601 certified, but the antimicrobial requirement is critical to driving down patient infection rates.

So where do you find UL60601 certified medical computers? At Tangent, our entire selection of medical computers not only meet all of the UL60601 guidelines, but also EIC60601 guidelines, and are IP certified water resistant. The M24T antimicrobial computer from Tangent meets both sets of guidelines, providing professional medical staff a safe, reliable desktop computer for the exam room. For on-the-go access or for medical carts, there is the Medix T-13 antimicrobial tablet from Tangent. The Medix T-13 features the same UL/EIC60601 certifications as the M24T in a small, portable tablet perfect for medical cart usage.

Everyday, hospitals see a see a stream of patients flow in, and a seperate one flow out. A perfectly healthy person could enter a hospital, and leave with a disease carrying microorganism hitching a ride on them unknowingly. Halting the growth of these microorganisms is not only a matter of hospital safety, but a matter of public health. Antimicrobial computers from Tangent help reduce the likelihood of a sick patient spreading their illness to other patients by ensuring that when a doctor or other healthcare professional is helping a patient, they don’t have to worry about their computer becoming a breeding ground for germs.

All-In-One-PCs On The Automotive Assembly Line

July 17, 2019July 17, 2019 Michelle

The automobile industry famously pioneered the assembly line, and since then has constantly innovated the manufacturing process of automobiles. In the information age, this innovation can be seen in the increasingly-computerized factory floor’s ability to produce cars with maximum efficiency. However, outdated or mismatched industrial computers can have the reverse effect on a factory, slowing down the assembly line and robbing the floor of productivity.

That’s where All-In-One PCs from Tangent can make the difference, providing factories with a standardized approach to computing. With All-In-One PCs, every computer in a factory can be the same model, from logistics control systems to RFID scanners. Having standardized industrial computers on the factory floor means that workers operating multiple stations throughout the day won’t have to readjust every time they encounter a new computer. Instead, workers can move confidently from station to station without any hiccups, improving efficiency dramatically.

The factory floor can be a harsh environment, and it may seem as though All-In-One PCs can’t take the punishment required of an industrial computer. But the All-In-One PCs from Tangent not only meet the standards set by industrial computers, they exceed them. For instance, the R14 All-In-One PC from Tangent not only features military grade shock resistance, but IP65 water resistance. The R14 All-In-One PC also comes with a magnesium alloy casing, making it 33% lighter than traditional aluminum housed industrial computers, but just as durable. The R14 clocks in at a mere 4.3 pounds, this lightweightness coupled with an up-to 18 hour battery life means that workers can rely on the R15 to be both an ergonomic and lasting tool for their entire work day.

For areas with minimal worker movement, the VITA KW All-In-One PC line from Tangent provides a mounted industrial computer solution. The VITA KW line sports four different sized computers, ensuring that no matter the size of a work area, there will be room for a Tangent All-In-One PC. When equipped with the RFID reading module, the VITA KW line can process automotive parts moving around the factory without needing outside peripherals to do so. The VITA KW line also sports impressively durable touch screens that are rated for IP65 water resistance, ensuring that the ease of access workers come to expect with the R14 line of tablets will be met by the VITA KW line.

Both the R14 and VITA KW line All-In-One PCs come with one year warranties and 24/7 United States based technical support. No matter the time of day, if there is ever a problem on the factory floor, it can be immediately resolved with the least impact on productivity. When it comes to creating or updating an assembly line, Tangent All-In-One PCs provide the computing power and durability necessary to make it an efficient one.

Medical PCs for Cloud Applications

June 30, 2019July 4, 2019 Michelle

The biggest trend in patient care and work efficiency has certainly been the introduction of mobile devices for health care providers. According to reports published in 2017, nearly 80 percent of physicians use mobile devices for tasks like transferring patient records. It’s long been a challenge for the healthcare industry to adopt mobile devices because of compliance, audit, and IT security requirements, but more and more organizations are now able to securely offer them to their workforce. However handy mobile devices may be, a medical professional can still only do so much work on them. At some point, they arrive at their office and need to see the same applications and data on a larger screen. Companies like Tangent have made great strides in providing cross-platform solutions that can allow users to move from one work device to another and maintain the same access to their applications in a virtualized environment.

Medical LCD Touchscreen Monitor

Whether a healthcare organization decides to achieve virtualization with thin clients, web clients, or virtual machines, Tangent supplements those efforts by providing medical grade touchscreen monitors and touchscreen all-in-one panel PC solutions to best complete a health professional’s setup. Offered in 15″, 21″, or 24″ sizes, Tangent’s medical LCD touchscreen monitor features a 16:9 aspect ratio widescreen display and optional DICOM support for reading radiologists. It is IEC 60601-1-2 certified to be compliant with CDC guidelines for environmental infection control, has an antimicrobial treated casing, and is at an IP65 level of protection against ingress of water or contaminants. It’s perfect for use around patients and with thin clients connected to a farm or industrial mini PCs that are running virtual desktops. The medical touchscreen monitor also has optional anti-glare film for privacy which is important for protecting a patient’s personal health information from passers-by.

Medical companies looking to connect to their cloud applications via the web will need a powerful PC solution that also protects patients and staff against infection. Tangent’s C24 24” medical panel PC may look strikingly like the aforementioned touchscreen monitor, but it is truly an all-in-one solution. The C24 still has the PCAP multi-touch screen, an IP65 front panel, and an antimicrobial surface, but the touchscreen panel PC also features an Intel 6th Gen Core i5 or i7 processor, a multitude of I/O ports, and an optional UPS battery for continued work capability in case of power outages. With up to 32GB of memory, this machine will allow medical staff to multitask on several internet windows and run resource-heavy applications without a worry of slowness or crashing. Tangent’s medical touchscreen monitors and PCs are an ideal pairing with virtualized, remote, or cloud applications in order to support a growing mobile workforce.

Tangent Covers All Bases in PC Needs

June 30, 2019July 17, 2019 Michelle

The average company doesn’t typically replace their computers all at once in a mass hardware refresh. Over years of use, certain models are phased out for newer ones or replaced because of age. And as business processes change and newer software suites require specific system configurations, a wide assortment of computer systems tend to be introduced to the organization. A single type of PC or laptop doesn’t usually suit the needs for all workflows and users, especially in larger enterprises. With such a variety of hardware needs, the lives of the folks in an IT purchasing department are made incredibly easier when they have a single trusted supplier of computer solutions and services.

Tangent offers dozens of types of computers in a variety of sizes ranging from large 24” medical grade all-in-one PCs to powerful tablets to the most minuscule of rugged industrial mini PCs. They are designed to excel in durability, longevity, and performance in most any working environment. Because business doesn’t just happen in corporate offices, Tangent pours its attention into all types of potential work settings and use cases, whether it be a video editing system in a news van or a data entry computer in a clean room. Tangent’s medical all-in-one PCs are largely designed for use in the healthcare industry but are excellent for any organization that needs protection from environmental infection control and isolation precautions. Their line of business all-in-one PCs are perfect as clean, efficient workstations in places like call centers, home offices, internet cafes, libraries, and more. And if space is a concern, a mini PC is a good consideration.

A mini PC is perfect for small spaces like in vehicles, tractors, and airplanes, or for use as a timeclock or as an outdoor computer. All of the computers in Tangent’s product line are easy to sanitize and boast a long useful life due largely to a fanless operation and IP rated protection against contamination and water ingress into the system. The mini PCs have the added benefits of being shock and vibration proof and being able to withstand operating temperatures of up to 158 degrees Fahrenheit. They are excellent for video monitoring systems, factory automation systems, or as network controllers. As different as the purposes for Tangent’s all-in-one and mini computer systems can be, they are both built to provide the best in performance, reliability, and flexibility.

Maintain a Healthy Workforce with Tangent

June 20, 2019June 20, 2019 Michelle

Promoting clean and sanitary work areas isn’t just incredibly impactful in medical settings. Illness costs US employers $530 billion per year in lost productivity, per a 2018 report from the Integrated Benefits Institute (IBI). Thomas Parry, IBI’s President says that the cost of poor health to employers is greater than the combined revenues of Apple, Amazon, Microsoft, Netflix, eBay and Adobe. Although illness and sick days are inevitable in a workforce, there are measures that businesses can take to mitigate the spread of germs and infection in their offices. Tangent offers several solutions to bolster healthy habits and reduce easily preventable ailments.

The L24 24” all-in-one desktop computer is the latest offering from Tangent’s business computer series. Being an all-in-one system already cuts down on cluttered desktop space and dust gathering on components and cables. Unlike most desktop computers, the all-in-one PC is treated with an antimicrobial coating that helps prevent the spread of bacteria and the growth of mold spores. The coating has the added benefit of preventing degradation of the plastic materials, giving the computer’s enclosure a longer life and the resilience to stand regular cleaning. Speaking of cleaning, this all-in-one PC’s enclosure is also rated at an IP65 level of protection against water and dust intrusion. The screen can be sprayed with sanitizer and wiped down without any adverse effects. The L24 comes with both touch and non-touch screen models to best suit business needs. For those requiring touchscreen, the ability to thoroughly clean the screen is monumental to healthy utilization.

Businesses that prefer a traditional mouse and keyboard setup will also need antimicrobial protection and disinfection. For those use cases, Tangent offers antimicrobial, washable keyboards and mice. Most workplaces don’t give a second thought to all the bacteria, old food, and grime on these peripheral devices, but they can be the difference between a productive day or someone calling out. These antimicrobial treated items are an excellent complement to the L24 all-in-one PC.

If a business only has a few antimicrobial protected all-in-one systems deployed but wants to apply protection to their remaining systems, Tangent also has a solution for that. SmartShield is a spray that provides an invisible antimicrobial barrier on computers and components for up to 90 days. It’s easy to apply, eco-friendly, binds safely to any surface, and sets in 3-5 minutes. It’s a wonderful temporary work around until the organization can invest in fully protected all-in-one PC solutions that don’t need to be re-sprayed every few months. It’s quite brilliant how easy it is to prevent illness in an office setting simply by providing computer equipment that will combat infection. It’s an investment that will boost business productivity and have a healthier, happier workforce.

Sticking With What’s Important

June 18, 2019June 18, 2019 Michelle

The big buzz in tech news this week is an audacious and eyebrow raising product release from Apple. That’s not surprising coming from a company known for their high dollar gadgets and phones, but they really seem to have outdone themselves this time. For just $999, the world can own a new Apple monitor stand. Yes, just the stand. That’s right, it’s just a simple looking monitor stand with no features for a thousand dollars. I can only imagine that purchasers of it are going to be by those just aching to burn cash, but it’s really an unbelievably exorbitant and highly unnecessary expense for intelligent, serious business owners trying to run their operations efficiently. For that kind of money, you can get an equally good stand, a great monitor, and a brilliant industrial mini computer that will provide performance and reliability for years.

The Tangent Mini X industrial mini PC is as well suited to the factory floor as it is to the medical mobile cart or the office cubicle. At just a hair over two pounds, this ultra-slim industrial PC incredibly still has all the features, capabilities and I/O ports of a standard sized PC. As Apple touts their elegant looks, the Tangent Mini X’s setup also keeps a workstation area clean and saves on space. This is important for call centers with small cubicles, car computer installations, or any area that is short on room. Fanless operation paired with solid state hard drives means there are no moving internal parts that can potentially fail. The industrial PC has a sealed, ventless design that reduces all intrusion by dust, dirt, or liquids.Tangent has also included the newest ultra mobile processor, TPM 2.0 support, and up to 16GB of memory.

Tangent’s industrial mini PCs are power, longevity, and innovation packaged in an industrial grade aluminum and steel chassis PC that is largely out of sight in a work area. Apple is great at generating talk and theatrics, but the show does end, the sticker shock does set in, and many learn that there are more important things than a fancy brand’s name on their equipment.