Tag Archives: All-in-One PCs

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3 Problems in Customer Service Solvable by Technology

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The tech landscape has changed for the better in business. Places as common as grocery stores, bars, pizza parlors, online ordering warehouses, you name it—the computer is there, improving the business operations on a customer-by-customer basis. The newest technological craze on the horizon to improve the customer experience for online ordering is the use of the shipping drone. Automation efforts within warehouse shipping are pushing towards eventual shipping via individual drones that drop packages off at the doorstep of customers. Interested businesses in this cutting-edge technology are quoting waiting times of less than 30 minutes from product order to delivery!

We’re far off from seeing a full implementation of such technologies across the nation, but one aspect of a business that is never overlooked and that people cherish in any setting is customer service. The full umbrella of customer service can include customer experience, product pricing, waiting times for product delivery, and other factors, but the computer is there now to facilitate lengthy and error-prone processes that can influence the overall experience. Here are three ways technology solves problems many of us are familiar with when it comes to the umbrella of customer service.

Better Lead Times, Shorter Wait Times with Industrial PCs

Lead time can be considered a part of customer service, or perhaps “a service to the customer” since it’s a factor in the overall experience. It’s not the most interesting of business-related topics, but it’s one of the most desired metrics to shrink for both businesses and customers. Simply put, if a customer waits too long for delivery of an item, it’s not likely they’ll purchase from the same outlet. It’s an aspect of customer service in the whole of the corporation that is always a pain point for customers. Who likes to wait?

Lead times have been decreasing with the use of the industrial PC. Industrial computers running ERP software can track and monitor inventory levels. They can be used to predict seasonal shifts in order volume. A manufacturer can even use an HMI panel to monitor performance and maintenance schedules of individual equipment, reducing and eliminating stoppages in production. All of which adds up to short lead times. The shorter the lead time the more likely that first time customer will become a long term client.

I Didn’t Order This…

As soon as an order has been received there is a process in place to get that order to the customer as quickly as possible. An itemized invoice is printed that is handed off to a picker, who then goes through the warehouse to find the items. They are double checked, prepared for shipping and sent. But in that paper process, mistakes happen. Humans are only human after all. Send the wrong item to a customer not only adds up in costly returns at your expense, but could also lead to lost business.

Industrial tablets can help to automate this process and improve accuracy. Invoices can be stored on the tablet. With SKUs assigned to barcodes, a picker can use a tablet’s integrated barcode scanner to check items before pulling them from inventory. You can even assign different barcodes based on clothing sizes or item colors to ensure accuracy. Pick lists can even be sorted based on the most efficient path through the warehouse, meaning more orders can be processed in the same amount of time using the same amount of resources. Again, automating processes leads to more accurate orders and faster processing times, which lead to happier customers.

The Dreaded Phone Calls

Even with automation, mistakes will happen. No business is 100% perfect. When mistakes happen, customers will call in. Even in an automated shipping warehouse there needs to be the human touch to fill in the gaps sophisticated tech might leave behind. However, it’s best to be prepared with the right kind of computer to identify what went wrong in order processing.

If a company’s employees use all in one computers for their customer service department, there’s a vast set of advantages. First, these computers are manufactured with space-saving designs in mind so even in small offices where the majority of space is reserved for products, IT departments won’t need to go to the extensive trouble of planning how all computer stations might be configured. Second, they’re perfect for recording conference and customer calls for the best customer service experiences. Paired with telecommunications software, every call can be screened, addressed, and filed away for case study purposes. Finally, any customer service rep can use the computer to see where an order is in the full spectrum of the process, from order to customer satisfaction on delivery. These all in one computers have nifty touchscreen capabilities too, so it’ll add to the overall productivity of a customer service office. Plus, with their enclosed designs and higher-grade components, they’ll last a lot longer than the average computer.

They say that a customer who has had a bad experience is likely to tell 10 people about it, whereas a customer who has had a good experience is only likely to tell one or two people. Those aren’t the kind of odds worth testing. For more information on how to automate your processes you can contact us here.

space saving computers help the enterprise market

4 Reasons Why All-in-One Space Saving Computers are Best for the Enterprise Setting

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The enterprise setting is not easily defined; multiple dictionaries define the enterprise as merely a business organization, a particular project, a systematic, purposeful activity, or other generic definitions. That doesn’t define how an enterprise functions. It may function as a handful of employees in a small office, or perhaps a few thousand employees in a tower block setting. Regardless, an enterprise will always need to function under certain constraints, and computer arrangement must fit within those constraints. Sometimes an enterprise must use all in one PCs for a variety of reasons. Here’s four examples of what we mean when we claim these space saving computers are best for the enterprise setting.

Space Saving Computers Get Rid of the Rat’s Nests

When a series of computers are deployed in an enterprise setting, IT professionals must use careful consideration of all the peripherals and devices a system might be integrated with. Think of all the cables one computer might need—a desktop computer needs main power, monitor connectivity and power, an ethernet cable out to a router, a USB keyboard, USB mouse, speaker power and connectivity, and other connections. Gather a series of computers in this fashion, and suddenly the cable management task turns into a fiasco! If eight computers are deployed into a small office or cubicle environment, how will these cables be routed? Are there safety concerns? The more wires an IT team has to consider in computer deployment, the longer it may take to get to full production status—which means more money. Time and money constraints, especially early in setting up an enterprise, are crucial factors for a business whether the business is migrating to a new office or setting up initial infrastructure.

A huge benefit to all in one PCs is that they have minimal wires. Typically these computers are bundled with wireless mice and keyboards, so the “rat’s nest” factor is a small concern. Wireless network cards are often built-in as well, so instead of planning out an ethernet connectivity setup, the all in one PCs can connect directly to a wireless router to reduce cable management efforts. At the very least, a space saving computer needs just one cable—for power!

Space Saving Computers Help with Hardware Needs

If an IT team purchases a series of desktop computers, does that fit the intended use? It’s a no-brainer all computers need monitors, and all in one PCs have that necessity taken care of. A conference computer might need a webcam to hold weekly meetings with different offices. Perhaps all computers will need webcams to hold online conferences to discuss key business points—and so which webcam does a business acquire, and for how many computers? Perhaps a particular webcam won’t work with a certain model computer, easily complicating implementation. To add, sometimes desks aren’t suitable for specific work areas, necessitating a different approach to implementing a computer. So how does one solve all these problems?

Cybernet’s all in one PCs are uniform in design, so corporations can deploy them with ease. Not enough desk space for a computer? Mount the space saving computer on a VESA mount and use the touch screen capability! Need to move a computer with a webcam to a different workstation? All enterprise computers are equipped with webcams. All in one PCs take care of the guesswork of which computers might need what peripherals, providing a solution in a complete package.

Ease of Project Deployment and Imaging

Will all computers be running engineering software? If that’s the case, it’s best to order a series of all in one PCs as a deployment project to ensure everyone has identical hardware and software. Migrating old computers with a group of newly deployed computers could turn into a compatibility nightmare—we shudder at mixing Windows XP with Windows 10, or a PC with an Apple computer. Ensuring identical hardware and software will reduce compatibility problems, increase office synergy, and ensure fewer problems for IT to handle down the road. Plus, one computer can be configured a specific way to operate for business use and that configuration can be “cloned” to install on all remaining machines, saving IT more time and money. Consider a small office—30 people—each with their own computer. Every crucial component in that small office has a risk of breaking down and halting production for at least one employee. Purchasing a series of identical all in one PCs is the pathway to getting an individual employee up and running quickly. With drive imaging, the space saving computer can be immediately replaced, turning downtime into virtually no time and getting employees back to work. Also, with the built-in battery that some models carry, employees can save their work in the event of a power failure.

Space Saving Computers Have a Wider Market

IT professionals often shop for computers that fit specific jobs—worsening the compatibility aspect. What’s more is some desktop computers can cost thousands more than basic desktops based on the individual needs of employees. At Cybernet, each space saving computer has a wider range of capability than their desktop brethren; an engineer can benefit from using a space saving computer just as much as a graphic designer can. The touch screen technology can be used as a designer’s drawing space or an industrial worker’s touch panel PC, combining two marketable applications into one PC solution. A space saving computer can be connected to a large television and turned into a conference room PC, complete with webcam and a wireless keyboard and mouse set. Cybernet’s all in one PCs fit more specific jobs because of their increased functionality and capability across markets.

The versatility of Cybernet’s all in one PCs, like the iOne H24, make them perfect for an enterprise setting by reducing clutter, easing deployment if a technical problem arises, broadening the applicable market for each workstation, and increasing office synergy by ensuring compatibility between stations.

The Importance of U.S. Based Tech Support Services for Your All-In-One PC Issues

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Several industries have adopted the use of electronic devices like all-in-one computers and tablets to boost the efficiency of their business processes. Before you can finalize the purchase of a number of electronic devices, it is important for you to become aware of the quality of the support that is available long after you have bought the products in question. When it comes to purchasing electronics, having the services of a well trained tech support team at your disposal cannot be underemphasized. If you encounter PC hardware or software issues somewhere along the way, the services of the available tech support team will be the factor that determines whether the challenges are resolved in an efficient manner or if you end up running into more complications.

U.S. Based Tech Support VS. Overseas Tech Support

The first thing that you have to do is to make sure that the tech support team assigned to your all-in-one computing device is based in the U.S. The service that a U.S. based tech support team provides is drastically different from tech support operations that are outsourced to other countries. Outsourcing has become a trend that a number of operations have resorted to in an effort to cut back on operational costs. Outsourced tech support teams might be cheaper from the manufacturer’s perspective but there are a few consequences that consumers are exposed to as a result of this trend.

An Outsourced Tech Support Team

Outsourced tech support operations can prove to be taxing for consumers who are looking for a clear cut solution to the issues that may be compromising their electronic device. Typically, the biggest source of difficulty for consumers deals with the language barrier. Outsourced tech support operations may not be staffed by people who use English as a native language. As a result, communication problems and misunderstandings can happen between the consumer and the tech support representative. Phone connection issues are also something that you have to consider given the fact that the calls that you’ll be making are overseas phone calls. Having a call cut in the middle of a critical repair situation can be frustrating and professionally compromising as well.

Advantages of a U.S. Based Tech Support Team

It would be best for you to look for a manufacturer with a U.S. based tech support team to bypass challenges that are brought about by communication problems and phone connectivity issues. If a manufacturer does house a tech support team that they personally employ, then this might be an indicator that the tech support staff has a solid grasp of the ins and outs of the device that you’re concerned about. It is deeply vital for you to be able to know about the level of knowledge that a manufacturer’s tech support staff has before you purchase electronic devices from them. The best tech support team should have a keen understanding of the technology that an electronic device uses and should know how to repair hardware issues and resolve software glitches personally. Outsourced tech support teams usually handle services for several companies and the solutions that they offer are less intuitive and rigidly scripted. Make it a point for you to look for dedicated tech support services to ensure that you get to address every perceivable problem that you might encounter somewhere down the line.

The Cybernet Advantage

When it comes to purchasing electronic devices for your industry’s specific needs, Cybernet products provide you with advantages that become more apparent long after you have taken possession of the item. Part of Cybernet’s edge stems from the strength of its U.S. based tech support team. With a dedicated tech support team at your beck and call, you can be assured that possible product issues will be addressed in a quick and efficient manner.

Customers who call in with product specific issues are guided by well trained tech support specialists. Each representative of our customer service team is trained by Cybernet’s engineers. This factor differentiates Cybernet’s customer service team from other companies. Every customer service representative possesses a comprehensive knowledge of the workings of each device and how to resolve possible errors and glitches. More often than not, customer issues can be resolved over the phone through responsive troubleshooting approaches. 50% of the time, Cybernet’s customer Service team is able to resolve product issues over the phone. When clients run a comparison between Cybernet’s success rate in resolving customer issues against the competition, the advantage clearly lies with the former.

For product issues that cannot be resolved through troubleshooting methods, Cybernet issues a Return Merchandise Authorization Number and a call tag to the client. The Return merchandize Authorization Number is designated to the device that needs to be returned for repairs. If the client is covered by the device’s warranty period, the product is serviced at zero cost. The call tag includes packaging that the client can use to return the unit for service. After a call tag has been generated, an email is sent to the client who reported the issue with the device. The email allows each client to track the progress of the unit that is being serviced giving them a concrete timetable of the progress that is made as things develop.

The biggest takeaway that clients can glean from Cybernet’s customer service team is their expedient turnaround time. Cybernet services units within a 24 – 48 hour window. When stacked against the competition, where 6 – 8 week waiting periods are par for the course, Cybernet’s expedient turnaround time is nearly miraculous. The robust build quality of each Cybernet product coupled with its responsive and efficient customer service team provides clients with an unbeatable package of quality and reliability.

With live chat, phone, and e-mail support services available at your disposal, consumers are able to tap into varied channels to address a raft of product related issues. For clients who want to have a clearer picture of each product’s features before they make a final purchase, Cybernet can send a demo unit for the purposes of configuration free of charge. Once the client has configured the unit to his desired specifications, Cybernet takes the demo unit and delivers the client’s purchased devices pre-configured to his preferences right out of the box. Cybernet solutions are the best option for industry leaders who are looking to secure their professional interests in a quick and efficient fashion.

How All-in-One PC Technology Is Fueling High-Tech Banking

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Bank imageComputers find their usage in banks for a plethora of reasons. Computers empower bank staff to perform their duties more efficiently. Computers enable bank personnel to track and record financial transactions to the minutest level of detail. They help process and store customer information. Had it not been for computers, banks would not have been able to offer unparalleled customer services round the clock.

Most recently, a number of banks have switched to all-in-one variants of computers. All-in-one computers combine monitor, casing, connecting cables and other peripherals into a single unit. Here’s how all-in-one PC technology is furthering the mission of banks and financial institutions.

Space-Conserving Design
Banks are often confronted with the challenge to secure for themselves computing solutions that conserve space. This is particularly important for back offices, teller counters, loan cubicles and other space-constrained work locations. All-in-one computers tackle the challenge of delivering space-saving solutions effectively. Carrying a small foot-print, all-in-one computers can be squeezed into any nook or cranny, without compromising on computational performance, reliability and information security.

Superior Ergonomics
Bank personnel has a tough daily routine that often requires them to use computers for long hours. Computers systems that are not ergonomic can cause uncomfortable, twisted, hyper-extended and flexed body positions in employees. All-in-one computers are free from ergonomic and design flaws. Opting in for all-in-one computers prevents development of awkward postures in bank staff. A healthier, focused workforce is what your bank gets upon choosing all-in-one computers.

Oh-n19cutperational Cost Savings
All-in-one PCs results in guaranteed costs savings for your business. Stress-free deployment, easy expansion, faster installation, and simplified management are a few ways by which all-in-one PCs result in less IT overhead and more savings for modern-day financial institutions.

Environment-friendly Computing
All-in-one computers are built using hazard free LCD screen technology that is friendlier to both the environment and the budget. Opting in for all-in-one computers also lowers landfill requirements, primarily due to the miniscule footprint of the devices. The United States Environmental Protection Agency appreciates initiatives taken by banks that aim at adapting greener, energy efficient computing products. Choosing an all-in-one computer adds to the bank’s repute as key financial player with a strong environmental conscious. Selecting all-in-one PCs results in lowered landfill requirements primarily due to the small footprint of the computer systems.

Energy Efficiency
All-in-one computers consume less power as compared to their clunky, desktop-based counterparts. That’s because the mother-board on an all-in-computer is fitted with energy-efficient components that consume less power, take up less space but pack a definite punch when it comes to number crunching. The lowered power consumption means that you will experience a significant reduction in electricity bills after your bank has switched to all-in-one PCs.

The Cybernet Advantage
Cybernet specializes in manufacturing cutting-edge, ergonomic, all-in-one computers for banks and financial institutions. Cybernet’s all-in-computers are augmented with additional features such as ingress protection marking and internal battery provision. Learn more about how Cybernet’s all-in-one computers can help your bank or financial institution achieve more at www.cybernet.us

The Future of All-in-one PC Technology is Very Bright

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Cybernet iOne-H5 widescreen multi-touch

You know that when a technology becomes ubiquitous at the Consumer Electronics Show, it has hit the mainstream. All-in-one PCs, normally a form factor popular in the B2B market in the last decade, are now even making their way into consumers’ hands. And that is good news for everyone: manufacturers, businesses, and consumers.

A few statistics address the trend. The NPD Group estimated that 34% of the PCs sold in July 2011 were all-in-one PCs. IDC projected that nearly 16% of commercial PC purchases will be all-in-ones by the end of 2012. PC World stated that in 2011, all-in-one PCs transitioned from a novelty to a strong product category, exhibiting powerful performance in a compact form.

During 2011, the big PC manufacturers introduced some new all-in-one PC designs that can be used by business and consumers: Apple released one, HP released two, and Dell released one. Of course, they have a lot of catching up to do in order to compare with Cybernet, because we released 5 new all-in-one LCD PCs and one keyboard PC, for a total of 6 in 2011. Our primary business is all-in-one PCs, however, so that is to be expected. Our PCs are mainly used for B2B purposes, and a growing number of them are for specialized markets such as health care, who have a very specific set of requirements.

All-in-one PCs are also evolving in terms of features. Most of the new all-in-one computers are widescreen models, which are great for multitasking. Many have touch screen capability (single or multi-touch). The processors and graphics capabilities available in all-in-ones are comparable to what you’d find in a standard PC tower configuration. These trends all beg the question: why NOT an all-in-one PC? Indeed, the market has answered.

The Role of Bank Tellers Today

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With the advent of ATMs, many people predicted that bank teller jobs would disappear. Well, that hasn’t happened yet, mainly because tellers still provide valuable services to customers that an ATM or online banking just can’t handle. Examples include: preparing cashier’s checks, providing change for merchants, resolving issues with banking statements, advising customers on foreign exchange rates, cashing checks, selling savings bonds, opening new accounts, selling or issuing certificates of deposit, ordering imprinted checks, ordering ATM and credit cards, advising customers on bundled services to lower their fees, and processing wire transfers. That is a pretty long list!

To provide these services, tellers need fast and reliable PCs at their teller windows or stations. Banking records that tellers routinely access must be readily available while the customer is standing in front of them. Processing transactions like wire transfers or ordering cards must happen quickly so as to not keep the customer waiting. And if something goes wrong with a PC during banking hours, the IT staff has to be able to access the computer and fix it quickly. Many PCs can handle that load today, but the problem is that there is not a lot of physical space available for traditional PC tower configurations where the tellers are located, so banks are now using all in one PCs: either LCD PCs or keyboard PCs. All-in-one PCs are space-saving, reliable, powerful, and are very easy to service because they can be accessed from the teller counter instead of the floor, with no messy cables running everywhere.

Many of Cybernet’s customers have used our all-in-one keyboard PCs or LCD PCs with great success. Our two most popular models that banks purchase are the ZPC-series keyboard PC and our iOne-series LCD PC. Here are the latest versions of both:

Cybernet ZPC-D5

Cybernet iOne-GX45

Not only have the Cybernet all-in-one PCs freed up space at the teller windows, but they also provide powerful computing resources to track daily transactions and use administrative applications. Our customers find that our all-in-one PCs are very easy to deploy and are powerful enough to run complex banking software. Their superior reliability is also a huge benefit, because the PCs have to perform continuously during banking hours and beyond. Here are some of the customers who use Cybernet’s all-in-one PCs to support their bank teller operations; click on the logos to read their success stories:

THE SAVINGS BANK:

SPENCER SAVINGS BANK:

NATIONAL IRON BANK:

NEWFIELD NATIONAL BANK:

BANK ANNAPOLIS:

Cybernet Making News in PCWorld

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Cybernet iOne-H5

We have some great news! Cybernet’s iOne-H5 all in one widescreen PC has been reviewed by PCWorld magazine, and in a separate article, they also named the iOne-H5 number one in Best Budget All-in-One PCs under 23 inches.

In July, PCWorld completed a rigorous test of our iOne-H5 all in one PC, measuring performance and comparing features with others in its overall PC category. PCWorld in its article entitled, “Cybernet iOne H5: Business-Ready All-in-One Packs a Punch”, stated that the iOne-H5 was powerful on the inside, delivered very well on graphics and outperformed all the other PCs in its class, earning a performance score of 133 (17 points higher than its nearest competitor). PCWorld reviewers also noted its “slick swivel stand” and a “big, bright and glossy” touch screen. Read more details in the PCWorld Review.

In September, PCWorld issued its ranking list of All-in-One PCs. In the category of Best Budget All-in-One PCs under 23 inches, PCWorld ranked Cybernet’s iOne-H5 as number one on the list, with a 4-star rating – higher than all of the other models in this category from HP, Lenovo, Acer, Sony and MSI.

How Today’s Casinos use PC Technology

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Go to any casino in gaming meccas such as Las Vegas or Atlantic City, and you’ll encounter an impressive level of technology automation. Gone are the mechanical slot machines; coins have been replaced with paper currency or tickets purchased from a casino “ATM” that accepts paper currency. Sophisticated electronic surveillance systems have replaced human-based surveillance of the casino floor. Dealers use electromechanical card shufflers instead of their hands. Casinos issue smart card-based “Rewards Programs” for high-volume patrons via self-serve kiosks. Casinos have become a true electronic world today.

Computers are used in many ways throughout casinos. Computer kiosks on the casino floor dispense gaming tickets or provide interactive information about the facility or a directory of services. Coinless electronic slot machines are specialized PCs themselves, and many have touch screen capability for interactive gaming.

Race or sports book areas provide PCs for players to review race information and view races or sports events in real time.

All-in-one PCs such as keyboard PCs or LCD PCs that save space are often used at the casino cage or customer service counter. Security surveillance of the casino floor is accomplished with a sophisticated set of video monitors and displayed on monitors and recorded on computers in the casino’s security and control room.

One of the key benefits of using computers (especially in surveillance) in so many places throughout the casino is that not only can security be maintained, but data mining can also be done on players. This enables casino management to track how much players spend in which areas of the casino, yielding marketing information for “comp” (complimentary) programs and promotions.

An Interview with Cybernet Executive Ali Bagheri

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Business team meeting_shutterstock_125338145We thought you might be interested in hearing more about Cybernet from one of its founders, so here is the interview that our main blogger conducted with Ali Bagheri, Senior Vice-President of Cybernet Manufacturing. We’ve put this together in a question and answer format, and at the end invite you to submit questions of your own. Enjoy!

Q: In general, where is the All-in-One PC business (and Cybernet) headed?

A: Cybernet has had a long history with developing all-in-one PCs, and we’ve maintained that as our focus from the very beginning. The challenge with being a pioneer in the industry is whether others will jump on the bandwagon or you have to do it alone. In our case, larger companies like HP and Dell did – about 10 years after we started. That clearly validated our vision, our technology and the all-in-one trend. These days, with the emphasis on energy-saving and space-saving technology, that trend continues – especially in the healthcare market or with office space in general continuing to shrink. As more end users and IT managers and C-level execs see this trend, they’ll be on board. Based on what we see in the press and in the news, I think over the next 5 years, at least 50% or more of the PC demand will be for all-in-one solutions.

Q: How did Cybernet get started; how did the idea evolve?

A: It started with the Commodore keyboard computer. It wasn’t powerful, and it wasn’t PC-based, just a basic CPU – chunky and big. There were PCs in this form in those days; the Commodore was based on the architecture of the time. In 1981-2 when PCs evolved, no one picked up on why all this hardware and these cards had to take up so much space. No one thought about integrating it all. So, the idea was: with a computer system, you must have a keyboard and you must have a display; why not integrate them together? So that’s what we designed, and it became the direction of the company going forward. We would design a line of all in one space-saving computers.

Q: What impact did this technology trend have on your business: Moore’s Law about greater processing power on smaller and smaller chips?

A: It’s like Cybernet and Intel were moving hand in hand. We continued to design the smaller packages, and we have been an Intel house from the beginning. That gave us access to Intel’s roadmap, and that in turn shaped our R&D. We refined our ideas as they continued to develop more powerful processors. The size of the chip didn’t matter so much and didn’t impact our all-in-one hardware designs, but what it meant was more power on the chips, and the application and operating systems required more and more power. Without the right processor to handle the software demands, hardware can become obsolete. We kept up with the demands by using the latest Intel processors and chipsets.

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