Workspaces equipped with three displays increase
productivity by 35.5%, according to research commissioned by
Fujitsu Siemens Computers.
Employees can perform a typical knowledge-sector job much more
efficiently at a three-display workspace than at a conventional
one, according to a laboratory survey by the Fraunhofer Institute
for Industrial Engineering (IAO), supported by Fujitsu.
Fujitsu said this
is particularly relevant for jobs where digital information has to
be processed very frequently, as is the case for scientists,
editors, engineers or insurance company employees.
Overall, the study showed that larger screen areas increase
productivity, and with the three-display workspace interconnected
to form one desktop, Fraunhofer IAO scientists recorded increases
in productivity of 35.5%.
The study was performed as part of the
OFFICE 21
research project, and was supported by Fujitsu Siemens
Computers which provided the test displays and PCs.
The Fraunhofer experts began the study with a test in which 67
people completed the same task at a conventional workplace with a
19in display.
The experts calculated a productivity benchmark to use as a
reference, based on the time required and the points achieved for
correctly solved partial tasks.
They then divided the participants into three groups: group one
completed the next task using a 19in display, group two was allowed
to use a 22in widescreen display, and group three was given a
three-display workplace consisting of three 19in displays
interconnected to form one workplace - as designed by the OFFICE 21
Information Worker's Workplace.
While group one increased productivity on the task by only 1.9%
(based on the learning effect), group two increased efficiency by
8.4%, and group three were 35.5% more efficient in completing the
task.