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Many business environments might preclude the use of a keyboard because of available space in certain work areas and prefer to point or touch a screen to step through a series of menus. Generally, these type of applications have limited menus or options to access to simplify the user interface. Applications such as food service management systems, point of sale, automotive diagnostic, healthcare, etc. are a few examples of these applications.

Light pens are electro-optical data entry devices used to indicate specific positions on a monitor. Light pens are quite easy to use and operate and require very little training. They are used in applications that require a user to point directly at a monitor or CRT (Cathode Ray Tube). A light pen is an ideal pointing device when data input has to be input by touch.

Light pens can be integrated with most terminal devices, and therefore, do not require a special monitor to be installed. In addition, light pens provide greater "pointability" resolution than do most touch screens. Light pens can highlight and drag words, cells, or pictures from point to point or even move windows around on the screen. Pointing can be more natural and beneficial with some applications than using a mouse, trackballs, or joysticks.

Touch monitors have a built-in capacitive screen which when touched by a finger activate menus, programs, or other supported features of the software application. False screens can be attached to some terminals which converts the monitor into a touch screen.

In general, when desktop real estate is important, and a keyboard is just in the way, consider using a light pen or touch screen.