Emerson Exchange 365

Keyboard / Mouse question

A keyboard / mouse question for those that have shift operators manning control consoles.  Some of our operators are asking to use their own personal keyboard / mouse at the console rathar than sanitizing the existing keyboard / mouse at the beginning of their shift.  With COVID-19 going on has anyone else been getting this request?  How are you handling it?

Thanks

Chris Kominar

• 18 May 2020 7:30 PM
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3 Replies

• fairchdm

  

  • 19 May 2020 2:15 AM

  Depends on how close you have the CPU box to their workstation. Buying each a wireless mouse and keyboard would be the easiest way if they are close the actual PC. We have used some KVM extenders to get out to the workstation and the wireless setup work well with those also.

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• Chris Kominar

  

  • 19 May 2020 8:15 PM

  In reply to fairchdm:

  Thanks for the reply.
  
  Our operator computers are housed in the consoles that they operate from. So they are within typical wired keyboard / mouse reach. I have asked our local Emerson partner about wireless devices. Their stance is that Emerson does not recommend or support wireless devices as batteries may fail at some inopportune time.
  
  Our operators suggested USB extender cables so that personnel keyboards and mice can be easily changed out with the connection at desktop level. So we are weighing the advantages/disadvantages versus simply sanitizing at the beginning of each shift.

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• fairchdm

  

  • 19 May 2020 8:27 PM

  In reply to Chris Kominar:

  Chris,
  Sounds like you have a good plan. I can understand their concern with wireless devices, but I've gone months and months without a battery failure on my mouse and keyboard. (You could make the battery a PM to change every 4 wks.) Probably the bigger concern will be the USB port that will be getting the brunt of the abuse from daily, shift change routine. Highly recommend a sacrificial USB hub device between the KVM extender and the operators devices or your KVM will be damaged quickly.

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