Smartboard software with other screens

[techie17]

Hi

 

Will the Smartboard software work with other screens such as BenQ or Promethean? Im not sure how this would affect licencing for the software if it does?

 

Thanks

[dhicks]

Will the Smartboard software work with other screens such as BenQ or Promethean? Im not sure how this would affect licencing for the software if it does?

 

Yes, the software works fine. You need to pay a one-off fee to license SMART's software to run on a non-SMART device - currently around £800 if I remember correctly (price includes VAT), contact your usual SMART supplier for exact details. This fee is separate from any yearly license fee required for SMART's software - I think we pay around £1,000 per year for 40 devices at the moment.

[Jawloms]

Yes, the software works fine. You need to pay a one-off fee to license SMART's software to run on a non-SMART device - currently around £800 if I remember correctly (price includes VAT), contact your usual SMART supplier for exact details. This fee is separate from any yearly license fee required for SMART's software - I think we pay around £1,000 per year for 40 devices at the moment.

 

And if you don't pay it and they find you are using it/using more than the licences you bought, they will go after you and win.

[CrusaderAV]

SmartBoard software will work on any proprietary equipment BUT the software is only licensed to be used when viewing on Smart hardware. And if you are caught doing it by Smart HQ they have a track record of taking action.

 

Smart will sell an individual license for operation on third party equipment but I think it is pretty expensive - circa £600 per license.

[mikeprice]

I can see the questions from non-IT people comin

 

"But how would they find out"

[CrusaderAV]

Ahh well....they may be monitoring forums . We've had scenarios where the IT person is absent and some-one else puts a ticket direct into the proprietary supplier which alerts them. Or the IT person leaves and goes to another school and the school want to replace the system...the hardware price has really come down over the last coupe of years, it's worth taking a look.

[BenQ_Royce]

Hi

other screens such as BenQ

every BenQ screen comes with a lifetime licence of Oktopus which will open smart files directly. As a company, Quizdom invest in making sure the software is right up to date, such as one of the first with 4K support. Using third party software can be really handy removing ongoing software costs.

 

BenQ are also investing in on-board software so that's worth checking out next time you need a demo, such as voice-control, cloud collaboration, Chromebook support, duplex screen sharing, germ resistant coatings... we've been selling IFP since 2011 in the UK so try to listen to what schools want from classroom collaboration, such as our long-term edugeek sponsorship.

 

though balanced with remembering to offer affordability across a range of products of course.

[Rob_D]

I can see the questions from non-IT people comin

"But how would they find out"

 

The software knows and the software can tell them .

 

I remember when our Smart licencing ran out unexpectedly it immediately came up as not legitimate (it watermarks everything and kills some functionality). But only on the older SB+projector rooms and PCs without a board attached but was perfectly happy if we plugged an (at the time) new E70 in.