iPad charging units offer a secure way to store and recharge, all of your iPads at once. There are two core types, trolleys fitted with castors that can easily be moved throughout your building, or fixed cabinets which provide a single charging point within your department or office.
While we’re looking mostly at their application within an education setting, these trolleys and cabinets are used in offices, hospitals, libraries, hotels and more.
Cabinet vs Trolley
Whether you require a Cabinet or Trolley is going to depend on your circumstances and to an extent, budget.
Due to being moved around more, Trolleys are a larger investment. Extra safety features such as bumpers, locking systems and more specialist design for safe transport or expensive devices adds to the price. Cabinets, due to their fixed nature, can be more cost-effective and simpler in design.
For Schools, we tend to suggest a Trolley, as the extra security and mobility are useful in futureproofing the purchase, and can easily be moved between departments if requirements change. This means they often work out cheaper in the long term compared to fixed units which may become inconvenient.
Considerations Before Purchase
The main other consideration would be whether you may require laptop charging in the future, as some larger storage units support this.
If you’re purchasing iPads for your school at the same time as iPad storage trolleys, you can reduce costs by purchasing them in bulk, or try what many schools are now doing to reduce costs and lease the iPads.
If you’re unsure, please contact us and we’re happy to discuss what will suit your needs more.
The benefits of Tablet / iPad and charging trolley solutions
You can get back crucial class time
A recent video case study found that you can save up to a staggering 70 hours of class time each year just by choosing a suitable device management system for iPads or other tablet devices that includes baskets.
The video was taken at the beginning of each lesson with a traditional-style cabinet tablet storage cart. The traditional cart took 10 minutes and 3 seconds to complete the deployment of 30 units. This was then repeated with a basket-based cart which took just 4 minutes and 50 seconds, saving a huge 5 minutes and 13 seconds out of just one lesson in teaching time.
They can reduce the theft of iPads
Schools using iPads make significant investments not only in devices but ensuring procedures are in place for them to be used successfully.
This was certainly the case for Hove Park School when they had £37,000 worth of pupils’ iPads stolen from their school. iPad charging stations and storage carts reduce the risk of theft and enhance security, not only from the risk of individual devices being stolen but from the risk of cables being lost and units being mislaid.
They can sync multiple devices
Charging stations for iPads, tablets and laptops can sync multiple devices at the same time, sometimes up to 40 units or more. This not only saves time having to load devices individually but also ensures all pupils have the latest information ready to work with and reduces the risk of Not syncing all of the devices, which can result in critical apps not being downloaded onto all devices and students being left out of projects. It can also prevent having students on varying versions of the software by assuring they’re all updated at once.
They can help to save money
Not only can iPad charging stations help you save money in the long run by reducing theft but they can help save money by reducing the need for extra resources to manage and maintain the devices, loss of chargers and accessories or breakages. Many units are also portable, so can be moved from classroom to classroom meaning you need fewer iPads in total for your school, at less cost. Starting at around £300 per device, this could save a tidy sum!
They can encourage responsible learning
Charging stations not only ensure pupils are taking responsibility for iPads but can help provide many positive benefits to a classroom environment. One particular benefit of mobile device charging stations that include baskets is that they allow children to “own†and take responsibility for their dedicated devices and to gain independence from both using and distributing these devices. Devices are not cheap, and schools need to ensure that they are looked after with care and compassion. By empowering children with tasks that they are capable of carrying out alone or with the help of their friends, tools like these baskets increase their self-esteem and encourage a great environment for learning.
They keep accessories intact and tidy
No more messy cable ties, or lack of plug sockets. With an iPad charging station, you can charge multiple units using just one plug, and keep leads and cables safe inside the charging station housing cabinet. This not only reduces the likelihood of cables getting lost but provides a health and safety benefit for the user.
They assist with classroom management
The seemingly simple task such as keeping order in the classroom generally accounts for 13% of all teachers’ time. So teachers need to find ways to channel their resources. Charging stations can take time away from tasks to do what teachers do best, teach!
They help free up classroom storage space
Charging stations can help to store iPads in one place, reducing the space needed for wires, plugs and other equipment that would need to be in one place. With compact or wall mountable designs, it provides extra space for additional desks or learning stations. Maximum efficiency, minimal space. Many are also fully portable so can be moved into other office areas and transported from classroom to classroom safely and efficiently.
They encourage safe distribution to students
Some charging units have unique ways in which to distribute iPads within the classroom, such as the innovative basket design from LocknCharge. These allow deployment of up to 10 iPads in separate “mini†stations which means there is less risk of damage through accidental error. They also have the added benefit of easy collection at the end of a project and can be carried outside or wherever necessary.
They allow for learning outside of the classroom
Many charging stations are fully portable, meaning they can be stored outside the classroom and wheeled in when required. Or with specialized basket designs, some charging stations encourage portable learning outside of the classroom environment. With a battery that can last all day, and integration with iCloud you can work from anywhere and not be limited to just the classroom. Baskets allow students to transport iPads outdoors, on school trips, to the playground, conservation areas, and wherever their imagination takes them!
iPad charging for schools is useful in the ever growing rise in technology. Having iPad charging stations ensures iPad devices are all put together reducing the risk of losing or misplacing one. The ability to charge multiple devices simultaneously is also an easier form of tablet charging as it allows them to all be charged overnight/ during breaks to make sure the iPad can all be charged at the same time. Our iPad charging station with simultaneous charging allows fast charging with enough power adapters to accommodate devices. All the devices being charged at once saves energy as devices simultaneously charged mean the apple devices only need to be plugged in for one lot of charge rather then several devices at different times. Apple devices are good for holding their charge especially with our best iPad charging stations. Other devices may also be able to be charged on this charging station.
With both a built in surge protection and a built in power strip we provide safe charging for your devices. So you can plug in your iPad chargers and know they will be safe.
