• NEC-Mitsubishi Electronics Display announces the results of the first ever systematic study of productivity increases across ordinary office tasks using multiple monitor configurations.
   
• Study reveals multi-screen users get on task quicker, work faster and get more work done with fewer errors in comparison with single screen users.

CHICAGO – October 6, 2003 – Setting a new trend among computer users in the workforce, multi-monitor computing can contribute to increased productivity and enhanced employee satisfaction among corporate users. NEC-Mitsubishi Electronics Display of America, Inc., the number one stand-alone vendor of flat panel desktop displays, ATI Technologies the University of Utah, today released the results of the first ever systematic study of productivity increases across ordinary office tasks using multiple monitor configurations.

The study, entitled Productivity and Multi-Screen Displays examines how multiple monitor configurations increase user productivity and usability. Traditionally used by professionals in the financial or graphics industry, multi-monitor computing is becoming an affordable and effective solution to the increasingly demanding computing scenarios faced by employees in mainstream corporate America. Providing users with the ability to access more information and images simultaneously, multiple monitor configurations allow for more efficient multi-tasking between applications.

“The study reveals multi-screen users get on task quicker, work faster and get more work done with fewer errors editing documents, spreadsheets, and graphic files in comparison with single screen users,” said Dr. James Anderson, professor at the University of Utah’s Department of Communication. “The technology required to support multi-monitor computing is not only affordable, it has become standard within operating systems and LCD displays. Multiple monitor configurations are poised to become the new standard in the workplace.”

By enabling users to work between multiple applications and resolving the need to view and process a multitude of information sources simultaneously, multiple monitor configurations allow users to move and size a variety of information and images across any or all screens to increase productivity. Overall respondents in the study were 10 percent more productive using multiple monitor set ups.

Multi-monitor computing can impact a company’s ROI, when considering the value of errorless work. The study results show that respondents increased their errorless production by 18 percent using multi-screen configurations.

Additionally, multi-monitor configurations can positively impact employee morale, making users feel more comfortable with their ability to complete tasks by allowing for quick navigation and higher task focus. Participants in the study considered multi-screen configurations significantly more useful than single screens and preferred multiple monitor setups on every measure of usability. They found them 29 percent more effective for tasks, 24 percent more comfortable to use in tasks and found it 39 percent easier to move around sources of information.

The Move Toward Multi-Monitor Computing
Organizations can realize significant gains in productivity by simply implementing multiple monitor computing in any situation where multiple screens of information are an ordinary part of daily work. Compared to other technology upgrades, multi-monitor computing has an extremely low learning curve and does not require the significant training investment that companies typically face when implementing a new technology.

Task efficiencies resulting from multi-monitor computing is apparent in a number of application conditions. The act of transferring edits from one draft to another is made simple in a multi-screen configuration where the two documents can be arranged in parallel configuration so that both texts are in full view without any reduction in size. The user can easily confirm the placement of edits through direct observations. Large spreadsheets can be viewed across all the screens in their entirety, allowing the data entry operator to track the proper row of entry. This allows spreadsheets to be accessed completely and manipulated with a full view of the results. Even seemingly simple tasks like proofreading are enhanced by multi-screen displays and eliminate the need to print pages of copy by editing directly in slide, spreadsheet and text applications.

The thin frame 18-inch LCD monitors used in the study were supplied by NEC-Mitsubishi Electronics Display, ideal for multi-monitor configurations. Providing near edge-to-edge viewing, the ultra-thin bezel enables users to view more information simultaneously. The small profile also allows for the placement of multiple displays in a single, space constrained workspace.

“Extending the benefits of greater screen real estate through multi-monitor computing is a natural next step for corporations whose employees rely heavily on computers for day-to-day tasks,” says Chris Connery, director of marketing and product line management for NEC-Mitsubishi Electronics Display of America. “Displaying onscreen information over more than one monitor can significantly increase productivity and LCD displays are ideal for use in multi-monitor configurations with their reduced footprint, space and energy requirements.”

Conducted throughout March and April 2003, the Productivity and Multi-Screen Displays study is based on the responses of one hundred and eight university and non university personnel, who participated in this comparison of single monitor, multi-monitor configurations.

About NEC-Mitsubishi Electronics Display of America, Inc.
Headquartered in Itasca, Ill., NEC-Mitsubishi Electronics Display of America, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Tokyo-based NEC-Mitsubishi Electric Visual Systems Corporation, a joint venture company established by NEC Corporation and Mitsubishi Electric Corporation. NEC-Mitsubishi Electronics Display began North American operations on July 1, 2000, combining the desktop display monitor divisions of NEC Technologies and Cypress, California-based Mitsubishi Electronics America, Inc. The company incorporates the strengths of NEC’s worldwide leadership in LCD desktop and information displays, Ambix™, and MultiSync technologies, with Mitsubishi’s market leadership in flat aperture grille CRT technology development. NEC-Mitsubishi Electronics Display ranked as the number one best-selling stand-alone LCD monitor brand according to the iSuppli/Stanford Resources Flat Panel Monitrak® Quarterly Report, Q4 '02. For more information, call 1-888-NEC-MITS or visit www.necmitsubishi.com.

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Editor's Note: For additional information about NEC-Mitsubishi Electronics Display monitors,
consumers can call (888) NEC-MITS, or visit the web site at:
www.necmitsubishi.com. For digital images please visit www.necmitsubishi.com/mml

*** For the complete study please contact Rachna Luthra or Kerry Lorimer