A multi-window layout offers plenty of benefits for your team, particularly in security or command centers, but this is only possible with the right audiovisual technology. In this article, we’ll explain the main benefits of multi-window setups.
Clear Spatial Organization
It’s a simple fact that seeing too much information flood in at once is overwhelming, even for the most experienced analysts and officers. If your team keeps everything in different tabs, they will have to deal with constant switching.
Spreading everything out across one screen gives each section its own meaning. You and your team won’t have to keep remembering what each tab means. Even if you think you wouldn’t notice the difference, your brain certainly would.
A single window with different tabs contributes to cognitive load. Some people address this with multiple monitors, which does follow a similar principle by giving each task or information stream a designated space.
However, high-performance multiviewers prevent your focus from spreading too wide while also avoiding the cognitive friction of constantly turning your head.
Parallel Visibility
As mentioned above, many people and companies default to tabs in a single window to help sift through information. The problem here is that it creates an “out of sight, out of mind” mentality.
A multi-window setup keeps all key information in view – which has the added bonus of showing any noteworthy changes in real-time. For example, your security team will see all main cameras at once. If they have to manually select each one, they could miss a serious incident.
Plus, every time you or your team relies on remembering another tab without switching, you’re playing with fire. Parallel visibility lets you check everything at a glance, and without needing to reorient yourself every time.
Fighting Information Overload
When done right, a multi-window layout gives you or your team a smoother overall UX – but this is only possible with the right integration. For example, the windows need a clear hierarchy. Not every task is equally important; some only need smaller windows.
However, multi-window setups can actually worsen the overload if you’re not careful, such as if:
● Too many windows are competing for attention
● It’s hard to see which window is most important
● Notifications keep taking people’s focus away
● The screen is generally visually noisy
● Vital information is still kept on other screens
It’s best to keep to 3-5 windows per workspace, with passive apps minimized.
Ultimately, a multiviewer can only give you the tools to build a clear layout. It’s still up to you and your team to figure out how this works in practice.
No Context Switching
Earlier, we talked about how switching between tabs takes up more mental energy than keeping everything on the same screen. That’s because users then have to deal with context switching.
Context switching is pausing one task to begin or resume another. This is easy enough to do for the most part, but it takes its toll when you spend your day jumping between tabs. You can only do this for so long before tiny mistakes start creeping in.
With a multi-window layout, a user just needs to glance at another part of the screen. This helps if your team has to, for example, compare code vs. the output in real time. Your overall workflow will be much smoother.
Final Thoughts
The right multiviewers give you everything you’ll need to build your multi-window setup and fight cognitive load. Make sure you exclusively use AV tech from a reputable supplier. This way, you’ll have no trouble maintaining peak visual clarity throughout your workplace.
