Like all products over the years office furniture has become commoditized. The reason for this is because mass-produced products are cheaper to manufacture. But the problem with mass-produced standard size furniture is that it has to fit into specific rooms and spaces where one size rarely fits.

 

Standard size 'bought out of the showroom' furniture is a cost reduction myth

1. Standard size furniture reduces the initial cost of furniture but increases the cost of an organisations work practices.

2. This transferal in cost from furniture to work practices is felt by the purchaser continuously for as long as that office design is used. And most office fitouts are in place for more than 10 years. 

 

Large office environments
Large office environments are the factories of organization administration. Management of a large office requires similar operations management principles as a factory. Efficient use of their personnel leads to an efficient organization.

 

Poor office design in large offices with numerous work spaces results in:
    • Reduction in the number of possible work spaces
    • Increased rental cost per work space
    • Inefficient movement within the room
    • Inefficient desktop work space
    • Reduced access to business forms and files
    • Reduced access to team members
    • Inefficient storage practices
    • Insufficient storage space
    • Reduces morale
    • Reduces performance

 

Individual office requirements
Individual offices have specific purposes. They have similar requirements as large offices but also have other specific needs. The principal of an organization might need a quality presentation, an informal meeting area, storage for reference material, area for making coffee or tea, as well as an area for staff meetings. Whereas an office dedicated to financial control might require an expanse of desktop for laying out files, plenty of storage for financial files, a space for a temporary helper, access to more technology, restricted access, etc. These are only two of the possible population of specific dedicated offices each with their own particular needs.

 

Organizations often treat these offices in the same way as a large office area. Cutting costs on the initial cost of fitting out an office in exchange for paying, forever, with the hidden costs of poor work practices is a false economy.  Organizational efficiency may well be the comparative advantage your organization depends on in today's competitive business environment.

 

Academic Computer Furniture Pty Ltd can help your organization get the most out of your office space and your team. Contact us today to see what we can do for you.

 

Library Design
Libraries are another area where advancing technology is affecting major change. Easy access to information provided by the internet is changing the role of libraries. This change is affecting the internal activities of libraries. Academic Computer Furniture Pty Ltd provides design services for technology affected areas of the library such as:

 

Technology Centers
It's common now for libraries to have a technology center where groups work often in class situations. Or a small gathering of computers where individuals work. Some libraries hire out these spaces for commercial purposes. These technology centers are designed using the same design principles as applied to computer classroom design which can be accessed from this link. Both traditional and contemporary designs have application in technology centers. Librarians generally require a supervisory view of these centers so they are often placed close by the circulation position. 
 
Circulation or charge desks
This area of the library is the central control point. All activity in the library starts and finishes here. Positioning of this centerpiece of the library is critical for effective supervision of the library and its activities. The makeup of this control center is also important. Some of the characteristics of a quality Circulation Desk include:

 

• A sinkable base book-bin maybe two with return chute.
• Angled corner desktop to accommodate a computer.
• Available desktop workspace
• Standing height
• Storage for the de-magnetizer
• Storage shelving for books awaiting pickup
• Proper storage for newspapers
• Cable management provision
• Other storage as specifically required.

 

Academic Computer Furniture Pty Ltd provides Circulation Desks in a style and shape to suit your needs. 
 
Reference Terminals
Terminals are also provided for a quick search through the catalogue for required titles or subjects. These terminals are specifically set aside as reference terminals. They are designed at standing height and are required to accommodate only the hardware. Sometimes librarians require a secure storage of the CPU. Use id generally restricted so that the user quickly, accesses the terminal for the information they need then leave so that the next user can access the information they require. Reference terminals may stand individually throughout the library or grouped in central spots.

 

Internet Access banks
Today's libraries usually position banks of computers for public access to the internet. These areas are generally traditionally designed rectangular shapes with the computers positioned on the desktop. Sometimes the CPU is locked in a cabinet under the desk. Sometimes they are networked to a server which is locked in an inner secure area in the library. The traditionally designed rectangular shape is cost efficient but restricts access to information for the user by not providing any privacy.

 

If the user wishes to use the internet for a purpose such as internet banking the person sitting beside them has a clear view of the key strokes and information that's on the screen. For this reason the contemporary design is much more suitable for this purpose.