Interview with: Christopher Lowe of Key Ovation-Goldtouch

Interview with: Christopher Lowe, CAE, VP of Sales and Marketing, Key Ovation-Goldtouch

Goldtouch for Mac Adjustable Keyboard (available in black or white)
Company: Key Ovation
Price: $140
http://www.keyovation.com

MYMAC: What is the evolution of your company, and the specific history of the development of this Goldtouch Keyovation keyboard?

KEYOVATION: The increasing incidence rates of Repetitive Strain Injuries led the founders of Goldtouch Technologies (acquired by Key Ovation in 2004) to develop products designed to work with individual users, instead of requiring users to adjust to technology. This led to the famed Goldtouch keyboard which has developed into a mainstay on the market with its innovative design and adjustability. 

Since 1998, the Goldtouch Adjustable Ergonomic Keyboard has been the preferred alternative keyboard for professional Ergonomists, Occupational Therapists, and Physical Therapists throughout the U.S. and abroad. And, it has remained so with very little change or redesign efforts since its release. The Goldtouch for Mac and the Goldtouch ErgoSecure 2.0 (with built-in smart card reader for FIPS-201 certification) are the most significant changes based upon the original Goldtouch design.

MYMAC: Who are your target customers for this unusual ergonomic product?

KEYOVATION: Most everyone is a candidate for use of the Goldtouch keyboard, but much of our demand has come from large corporations. Most of the Fortune 1000 and Fortune 10 companies utilize the Goldtouch as both a preventative device and as a rehabilitative tool to assist injured workers in reducing pain, remaining productive and reducing claims costs.

With the growing use of Apple products in the workplace, we are supporting more personal/home Mac users and seeing increased demand in the SOHO and SMB/EDU areas. Apple users tend to be more progressive and would see the benefits of preventative maintenance associated with ergonomically engineered products.

MYMAC: What is RSI and why should our readers be concerned with it?

KEYOVATION: RSI is a Repetitive Strain Injury. It can be caused by a number of activities that require repeated small movements, and most often affects computer or assembly line workers. It is a result of muscles remaining tense for an extended period of time and leaves the person with constant pain in the upper back, shoulders, wrists and hands. Treatment is really two-sided in that it cannot be healed solely by a physician—it requires the user to adjust his or her actions to prevent the return of such pain. Our products are designed to meet this need for adjustment.

MYMAC: How long should new users allow to become familiar with new key locations?

KEYOVATION: The answer is: it depends. We have found that very good typists tend to adjust within 1-2 days, but others who may not be as experienced, or are resistant to new things, can take a week or more. Everyone is different, and we have found that the biggest hurdle is people’s ability to adapt to change and make the psychological commitment to doing things a little differently than before.

Once a new Goldtouch user commits to taking the time, we find that they do not want to use any other keyboard. We just saw this in a recent study where 90% of the participants that received a Goldtouch keyboard did not want to try another alternative keyboard, nor did they want to go back to their old standard QWERTY after just 30 days of use. That was above and beyond what we had expected, and we were quite pleased, of course!

MYMAC: How many adjustment variations will it take until people find a comfortable and efficient way to use this GTKO keyboard’s split shape?

KEYOVATION: This is different for everyone. Some adjust right away; some take more time and variance to get to their “happy place.” Once comfortable with the position, however, it has been shown that the keyboard works more naturally with an individual’s body structure and will accommodate over 85% of the population (compared to about 15% with a standard keyboard) in a neutral typing position.

There is no real set number of adjustment variations it takes for people to get comfortable and we actually recommend adjustments on a regular basis, especially if using the keyboard for extended periods of time. Continual adjustments reduce stress and strain resulting from sitting in the same position for too long. The whole point of the Goldtouch keyboard is to make it your own.

MYMAC: Can people adjust their sitting and typing positions to achieve optimum benefit without needing to buy a special keyboard?

KEYOVATION: Adjusting sitting and typing positions are a good start; however, a standard keyboard still requires the unnatural placement of the hands and wrists and those actions, combined with extensive mousing activity, can really put a great amount of stress on muscles, tendons and nerves.

MYMAC: How did you decide which keys to include and where to place them, and which keys to omit?

KEYOVATION: We felt it was necessary to stay close to the standard QWERTY layout to minimize the learning curve. For individuals who would already be adjusting to a split design keyboard, we felt it would be a shorter adoption cycle if the layout were familiar and keys were laid out in locations where people would expect them. Also the Apple Control key, right and left Apple & option keys, the CD eject, and the mute/volume control keys common to Apple users are included.

Omitted is the side numeric keypad which we accommodate by creating an embedded keypad on the keyboard. Users also have the option of purchasing a separate full-size numeric keypad that can be placed on the left or right side of the keyboard, or simply put away when not needed. The actual key placement is designed to spread the work evenly between the left and right hands and the keypad is omitted to maintain a small keyboard footprint so that both the keyboard and mouse can fit within the ergonomic “comfort zone.”

MYMAC: Why are there no USB hub ports included?

KEYOVATION: Our original design did not incorporate this; however we are looking into this for future models. We do find that with most laptops only having two USB ports anyways, it is usually best to use a 4-port hub adapter to accommodate external keyboards, mice, printers, iPod, Blackberrys, etc.

MYMAC: Is all the configuration instructional material included in the packaging, or will new users need to visit your web site or call your toll free number?

KEYOVATION: We do have an insert in the keyboard box that directs the user to our website to download the User Guide. We also have a toll free number that is available for Customer Support or Technical questions.

MYMAC: Who are your competitors in this special marketplace?

KEYOVATION: I think the biggest competition we face is the overuse of the word “ergonomic” in too many products that do not validate HOW they are ergonomic. This has created a misconception among consumers that if there is some sort of odd curve or shape, or if it says, “ergonomic” on the box, they take it at face value. We believe that “If it’s not adjustable, it’s not ergonomic,” and if a product doesn’t fit you, then how is it providing an ergonomic benefit?

MYMAC: What improvements or innovations are you considering for future keyboards, or other usability products?

KEYOVATION: We are seeing a change in the marketplace from a desktop-centric workspace to a much more mobile remote-office or drop-in space. Many of the computer hardware manufacturers are seeing this trend escalate quickly on corporate tech refreshes, and with more people working in non-standard environments.

This trend creates a number of ergonomic issues for people who are now working in places where there is little or no flexibility in adjusting their workstation, chair, desk, etc. If they are spending most of their time working on a notebook, with lots of bending of the wrists and contact stress on the hard plastic pinching their Carpal Tunnel sheath, we expect to see a significant rise in upper extremity MSD’s (Musculoskeletal Stress Disorders). So, addressing the challenges of the mobile workforce is where we want to focus our solutions.

MYMAC: How do you handle foreign or nonstandard keyboards?

KEYOVATION: We produce the standard Goldtouch keyboard in 12 different languages, ship to 180 countries around the world and have a number of distribution partners around the globe to support us. We will consider foreign layouts for the Goldtouch for Mac if demand increases abroad.

MYMAC: Which of your many products should Mac users pay special attention to, whether in need of ergonomic devices or not?

KEYOVATION: The first thing Mac users should pay attention to is their bodies, and be more aware of discomfort, stiffness, tingling, or anything out of the normal when using a computer. All users should take some time to look for symptoms of potential problems or identify risk factors that might lead to problems in the future.

We find that many of the people looking for an alternative keyboard do so because they are already injured, and are looking to reduce the pain. We believe that everyone should take some time to educate themselves about basic ergonomic principles about workstation and mobile setups so they can work ahead of the curve. Then, it might be time to make sure that you are working with the right equipment: the proper chair can make a tremendous amount of difference, especially if you are petite, or Big and Tall.

No one piece of equipment fits all, so it is important to look at products that offer a high range of adjustability, comfort and quality design. And, they should fit your body type, and promote healthy typing postures for hands, wrists, arms, neck, shoulders and back. Remember that once the pain starts, it really never goes away, so prevention is the best way to protect yourself from risk.