Buying the Right Computer Furniture for the Job

11/09/07 Processor.com

Understand That Furniture Upgrades Will Mirror Hardware Upgrades

Tony Ellison, CEO of office supplier Shoplet (www.shoplet.com), says given that the upgrade cycle for computers and peripherals is on average three to five years, furniture needs will change with these new configurations. Therefore, you will typically be upgrading your furniture or adding new accessories to complement your upgraded equipment over a similar time frame.

Determine common uses of products that departments can share.

Tony Ellison of Shoplet (www.shoplet.com) suggests that instead of buying specific products for each department or person, try looking at common uses for products departments can share. "Many people in an open office environment can share file cabinets," Ellison says. "Four-drawer laterals take up less space and store more than two-drawer laterals."

In this same vein, impress on employees the importance of file management. "Your computer is your greatest file cabinet. Print out only what is necessary to be filed where a hard copy is mandatory," Ellison says.

Let your employees participate in the selection process.

Ellison also advocates including the people who will be using the furniture into the planning stage. Ask them for suggestions and consider giving them a proposed budget and letting them make their own selections. "When an employee becomes a part of the planning, he or she will be happier with the end result," Ellison says.