Buying Promethean Interactive Guide
Buying Guide Promethean
Hopefully this helps
Step 1: Identify Your Core Purpose
Start by considering how the display will be used. In education, that may mean delivering interactive lessons, enabling student-led activities, or supporting hybrid learning. In business, it may involve running remote meetings, training sessions, or collaborative planning. Your intended use will guide all other decisions—from size to features.
Step 2: Assess Your Environment
Look at the physical space where the panel will be installed. Is it a small classroom, a seminar room, a lecture theatre, or a boardroom? Consider room size, seating layout, lighting conditions, and the typical number of users at once. This will help determine the ideal screen size and mounting solution.
Step 3: Choose the Right Display Size
55”–65”: Ideal for smaller classrooms, breakout rooms, and training spaces.
75”: Best suited to standard teaching spaces, seminar rooms, and mid-sized meeting rooms.
86”: Recommended for large classrooms, lecture halls, and open-plan collaboration areas.
If in doubt, request a room assessment or demo to visualise real-world usage.
Step 4: Select Your Software and Features
Promethean’s ActivPanel range supports:
ActivInspire: Interactive lesson creation and delivery for education.
Whiteboard and ScreenShare tools: For business collaboration and training.
Multi-user touch input, USB-C connectivity, and secure NFC login are standard across models.
Choose features based on your daily workflow—whether that's curriculum-linked content in schools or content-sharing and video conferencing in business.
Step 5: Compare Models
There are two primary ranges:
ActivPanel 10 Premium: Full-featured panel with best-in-class audio, user profiles, and advanced collaboration tools.
ActivPanel LX: A cost-effective option ideal for users with existing devices and simple connectivity needs.
Our team can guide you on model selection based on your budget and setup.
Step 6: Decide on Management and Support Needs
Consider who will manage the displays. For MATs, trusts, or multi-site organisations, remote panel management via Promethean Panel Management is essential. You may also want to include optional training for staff and guidance on integrating with your network and cloud platforms.
Step 7: Request Your Bid Pricing
If you’re ordering multiple units or buying for an institution, request formal bid pricing. This process can help you save significantly—especially for bulk orders across departments or campuses. Schools can purchase via purchase order, and leasing is available for phased budgeting.
Step 8: Plan Installation and Mounting
We offer full UK-wide installation and advice on mounting—whether wall-fixed, mobile trolley-mounted, or height-adjustable for accessibility. We'll ensure your setup is safe, neat, and optimised for use.
Step 9: Book a Demo
Before making a final decision, request a demonstration. This can be virtual or on-site and is the best way to see the clarity, responsiveness, and software in action—especially if you're comparing models.
Step 10: Make Your Selection and Get Set Up
Once you've chosen your model, size, and setup, we'll guide you through order finalisation, delivery, and setup scheduling. Ongoing support is available, and optional training can be booked for staff at any level.
Here are some very useful FAQ people ask before buying Promethean
1. What size ActivPanel should I choose?
Quick Answer:
Choose based on room size: 65" for small rooms, 75" for standard classrooms or offices, 86" for larger teaching or meeting spaces.
Detailed:
A 65" display works well for breakout spaces, nurseries, or smaller meeting rooms. 75" is the most popular for standard UK classrooms and collaboration areas. 86" is recommended for larger classrooms, lecture theatres, or boardrooms where visibility from a distance matters.
Example:
A sixth form college chose 86" models for their science and media rooms to ensure diagrams and video content were easily viewable from all angles.
2. What’s the difference between ActivPanel Premium and LX?
Quick Answer:
Premium is fully featured with onboard Android, LX is more basic and ideal for external device use.
Detailed:
The Premium includes Promethean’s full software suite, NFC login, user profiles, and an integrated Android experience. The LX is a budget-conscious option that relies on a connected PC or laptop and is ideal for schools or businesses with existing tech stacks.
Example:
A training consultancy opted for ActivPanel LX models because their trainers already used laptops and preferred using their own software.
3. Is Promethean compatible with my existing tech?
Quick Answer:
Yes—Promethean works with Windows, Chrome OS, macOS, and most AV systems.
Detailed:
It supports HDMI, USB-C, and wireless casting. It also integrates with Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, and Zoom, and works well with MDM systems for central IT control.
Example:
A multi-academy trust standardised on Chromebooks and seamlessly integrated them with Promethean panels using wireless casting and Google Workspace.
4. Can we use Promethean displays for hybrid teaching or meetings?
Quick Answer:
Yes—they’re ideal for hybrid setups.
Detailed:
Promethean panels work with webcams, microphones, and conferencing platforms. The built-in software allows screen sharing and annotation, making them suitable for blended learning and remote collaboration.
Example:
A university law faculty used Promethean for hybrid lectures with in-room annotation and remote student participation via Zoom.
5. Do Promethean panels come with lesson or collaboration software?
Quick Answer:
Yes—ActivInspire, Whiteboard, and more.
Detailed:
Education users benefit from ActivInspire and ClassFlow for interactive content delivery. Business users can use Whiteboard and ScreenShare for brainstorming, training, and presentations.
Example:
A primary school used ActivInspire to run live phonics sessions, math games, and handwriting practice daily with their new 75" panels.
6. Can I order using a purchase order?
Quick Answer:
Yes, purchase orders are accepted from educational institutions and public sector buyers.
Detailed:
Simply provide an official PO with delivery and invoicing details. We’ll process the order and offer advice on delivery dates, installation, and training.
Example:
A local authority submitted a PO for 15 panels across five sites, benefitting from both bulk pricing and central invoicing.
7. Is there a discount for multiple units or tenders?
Quick Answer:
Yes—formal bid pricing is available.
Detailed:
We offer tiered pricing depending on quantity and sector. The bid process can significantly reduce unit costs for schools, trusts, NHS, and large-scale business deployments.
Example:
A group of five schools received bid pricing on a combined 28-panel order, saving over £5,000 compared to retail pricing.
8. Do you offer leasing options?
Quick Answer:
Yes—flexible leasing is available.
Detailed:
Leasing spreads the cost over 2–5 years and often includes installation and support. It's ideal for education and business buyers working within annual budgets.
Example:
A training centre leased 10 LX panels over three years, including mobile trolleys and warranty cover.
9. Can Promethean panels be wall-mounted or mobile?
Quick Answer:
Yes—choose from wall mounts, mobile trolleys, or height-adjustable stands.
Detailed:
We’ll recommend mounting options based on your room layout, accessibility needs, and floorplan.
Example:
A special needs school opted for height-adjustable mounts to support inclusive classroom access.
10. Is training included?
Quick Answer:
Optional training is available.
Detailed:
We offer both remote and onsite training tailored to education or business use. This ensures your team gets the most from every feature.
Example:
A new academy chain booked two hours of CPD-style Promethean training as part of their rollout to support lesson planning with ActivInspire.
11. Is it easy to update software and manage panels remotely?
Quick Answer:
Yes—Promethean Panel Management is available for central control.
Detailed:
Admins can deploy firmware updates, monitor devices, and lock down settings across multiple sites from one cloud dashboard.
Example:
An IT coordinator for a MAT uses the console to push software updates to 40 panels without site visits.
12. Can these displays be used in lecture theatres?
Quick Answer:
Yes—especially 86" models with audio output and 4K visuals.
Detailed:
Larger screens work well for large learning spaces and come with ample connectivity and integration with university AV systems.
Example:
A UK university upgraded its faculty rooms with 86" ActivPanel 10 Premium displays connected to their existing lecture capture system.
13. Do I need a PC to use the panel?
Quick Answer:
No—the Premium panel includes built-in Android, but you can connect a PC if preferred.
Detailed:
The built-in OS includes a browser, file manager, and apps for common tasks. LX models require a connected laptop or media player.
Example:
A secondary school uses built-in Android for day-to-day whiteboarding, and teachers plug in laptops for file access.
