Archive for the ‘New Cubicles’ Category

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »

Modular Office Furniture: San Diego Area Repairs And Maintenance

Monday, March 14th, 2011

There are a number of advantages to buying office furniture locally. One of those perks is the ability to have experts on call for repairs and maintenance. This is particularly helpful when you have a large quantity of modular office furniture. San Diego Cubicles Office Environments technicians can correct any problems that arise. Even better, these repairs can often be done on site.

For example, if a desk has a drawer that’s sticking, this might be a quick fix that can be handled in a few minutes so your employees aren’t disrupted. If a part needs to be replaced, your local dealer can take care of that for you as well. In the event that the fabric on a cubicle panel gets torn, even this can be addressed with local refurbishing services.

Tags:
Posted in New Cubicles | No Comments »

Cubicle Company News Roundup

Friday, March 11th, 2011

All the main players in the cubicle manufacturing field have an active PR department churning out news from one month to the next. These press releases are a great way for customers to learn about innovative products and thought-provoking corporate initiatives. What are some of the cubicle company giants up to right now? Here’s a quick overview of some of the most recent news:

Teknion

Teknion is teaming up with Powermat to integrate wireless charging technology with office furniture. For example, the Conflux Adjustable Task Light has a Powermat base. The lamp provides lighting and a charging station for various types of handheld devices. The Edgemount is a charging surface that can be attached to the edge of a cubicle worksurface to provide a convenient charging station for Blackberry devices, cell phones, and more.

Steelcase

This company is restructuring by reducing the number of plants operating in the United States – but without reducing production. 3 manufacturing facilities are being closed. The decision will probably cost about $45 million total over the short term. However, Steelcase anticipates annual savings of $35 million once the restructuring is complete.

Haworth

This company is making great strides in BIFMA Product Sustainability certification. As of their last update, Haworth had achieved level 1 or 2 certification for 39 products. Sustainability is measured based on criteria such as energy usage, materials, and impacts on humans and the environment. These evaluations are carried out by an independent certifying agency to ensure accuracy.

Knoll

Knoll is earning recognition with several GOOD DESIGN™ Awards. The Chicago Athenauem (an architecture and design museum) singled out Antenna Workspaces™, the MultiGeneration hybrid chair, and the Knoll Luxe Rodarte upholstery patterns as deserving of praise in 2010 for innovation and creativity.

Herman Miller

This company has issued its annual “Better World” report for 2010 showing an upward trend in supplier diversity. Herman Miller also achieved 100% green electrical energy credits for its operations all over the globe. The cubicle company has been named as one of the FORTUNE 100 Best Companies to Work For three years in a row now. It’s not surprising that the company’s highly engaged employees logged over 13,500 volunteer hours serving their local communities.

Tags:
Posted in New Cubicles | No Comments »

BETA Cubicle Work Stations For The 21st Century

Wednesday, March 9th, 2011

It seems like someone is always coming up with a newer, greener innovation in the cubicle industry. Here’s an exciting and visually arresting series of cubicle work stations from Italy. The concept for these BETA cubicles from Tecno is to provide a layout that is both collaborative and “head down” at the same time. All employees have to do is swivel their chair to switch venues.

The core of each BETA module is the “backbone”. These are a worksurface, cable management, and filing solution combined. They can be connected in a series of Y and L joint configurations that give the office space a distinctly organic feel. The desks can be fitted with full height panels (called high backbone screens) that turn them into cubicles. Sound absorbing desktop mounted screens are also available for acoustical management. These innovative pieces are only available in Europe right now, so we’ll keep our eyes peeled for a U.S. edition.

Tags:
Posted in New Cubicles | No Comments »

Practical Ways To Make Call Center Cubicles More Appealing

Tuesday, March 1st, 2011

Call center cubicles are typically on the smaller side compared to other office workstations. An employee typically only needs space for a phone headset and computer. The upside of this arrangement is that more workers can fit in an office space. The downside is that employees may feel cramped. In an industry that already has a fairly high rate of turnover, anything you can do to increase worker satisfaction can have a positive impact on your company’s bottom line.

Improve Acoustics

One way to make working in a call canter environment more appealing is by carefully controlling the noise level. Telemarketing workstations are often set up in two rows facing toward a central spine to save space. When seated at call center cubicles, employees are typically facing forward – which means workers seated directly across from one another are most likely to be bothered by noise from each other’s cubicles. So, make sure this central dividing panel is designed for maximum acoustic control to keep noise penetration to a minimum.

Remember that panel height also plays a role in dampening noise. If cost is an issue, look for panels that feature noise dampening materials only from the level of the worksurface up. The bottom part of the panel can be made of less expensive materials. Another simple way to improve acoustics is by supplying headsets that cover both ears to keep out extraneous noise.

Seating & Surfaces

Call centers that are open 24/7 require special seating for employees. These chairs must be able to withstand constant use. They must also be fully adjustable to fit a wide range of body types and preferences for seat height, angle, and so forth.

Consider carefully what type of textile will be used for the upholstery. If a fabric can’t be cleaned frequently and easily, the seating will start looking grungy and unpleasant very quickly. You might choose inexpensive vinyl upholstery or high-tech mesh instead of fabric since these materials can be wiped down between shifts. In fact, the worksurface, keyboard, mouse, and phone should all be cleaned with disinfecting wipes after every shift. Employees appreciate working in a hygienic environment – especially when they have to share office furniture and equipment.

Tags:
Posted in New Cubicles, Office Chairs | No Comments »

Teknion Cubicles: Partitions Like Lyft Stand Apart

Monday, February 21st, 2011

Sometimes, an organization needs more flexibility than what’s available with traditional panel systems and cubicles. Partitions that are freestanding provide a higher level of configurability. This is especially true when there are multiple sizes and styles of panels from which to choose. Teknion’s Lyft collection has a full series of universal space dividers in varying heights and widths. These can be used to expand the number of design options available for their Transit, T/O/S, and Leverage cubicles.

Thin profile partitions are a cost effective alternative to traditional panel components. They can feature a combination of opaque and translucent materials to control light penetration. Freestanding versions can be used to augment workstations from any manufacturer to repurpose them for a new environment. The ease of installation and reconfiguration makes these dividers particularly appealing for workspaces that are remodeled frequently.

Three Styles Provide a Multitude of Options

Floor based panels can be connected to workstations on two or more sides to create individual office spaces. Or, they can be added between desks to divide areas while maintaining a more open plan. Screen heights are available from 42”-66” making these useful for both seated and standing applications. Multiple screens can be linked together at a variety of angles (up to 270 degrees) to make the most efficient use of space and support non-traditional layouts.

For a business that already has cubicles, partitions can be added to the top of existing panels. These short, semi-transparent screens add height without blocking interior light. Their 15” profile is designed to match other Teknion panel segment elements for a cohesive look.

Desktop screens can be used to outline the edges of a workspace or serve as a central spine between adjoining worksurfaces. Again, sizes are available to match the height of surrounding panels if desired. These can be added to all workstations or used selectively based on employee preference and position.

Tags:
Posted in New Cubicles | No Comments »

Office Furniture Stores: San Diego Is Bursting With Choices

Wednesday, February 16th, 2011

According to a quick Yellow Pages search for office furniture stores, San Diego has over 850 businesses vying for your dollars. These companies fall into a number of different categories:

Authorized Dealers – These stores typically carry new furniture from a limited number of manufacturers. They specialize in filling mid to large sized orders for companies that are setting up a new office space or refurnishing an old one. A high level of customization is typically available with these dealers. Delivery, installation, and follow up services (such as assistance ordering replacement parts) should be provided.

Retail Centers – These locations typically carry either a blend of office equipment and office furniture or mainly home furnishings with a small selection of office furniture for individuals and small businesses. Customers typically have to pick from available stock items or from a limited range of options that can be shipped in from various manufacturers. Delivery and other services may or may not be available.

All Purpose – This type of business specializes in providing new, used, and refurbished office furniture. Customers can choose new furniture from an extensive catalog or buy deeply discounted pre-owned furnishings – including models from top manufacturers. These dealers can handle all order sizes from single pieces to workstations for an entire company. When refurbishing is done on-site, customization is often possible. Full service including installation of new pieces, removal of old office furniture, space planning, and other types of assistance are readily available.

Tags:
Posted in New Cubicles, Office Furniture, Refurbished Office Furniture | No Comments »

Have You Considered A Curved Cubicle Panel?

Monday, February 14th, 2011

A flat cubicle panel is definitely the norm – whether you go for a box shaped or hexagonal “honeycomb” layout. However, there are also a few manufacturers offering panels that are gently curved to give workstations a softer contour. These can make an employee’s workspace feel more like a cocoon and less like a cage. The materials used in curved panels are typically semi-translucent which makes them a good compromise between clear and opaque options. You get privacy and ambient light penetration in the same package with curved office cubicles.

The roll down screens from Herman Miller’s Resolve collection pictured in the diagram above are just one example. Their Canvas Office Landscape design has flat panels with rounded corners for a more traditional look. You can also assemble RiZe curved cubicle panels made from polycarbonate in steel frames. Or, you might choose lightweight aluminum and PVC partitions. These can be connected end to end to create an S shaped wall and divide a large office area into smaller quadrants.

Tags:
Posted in New Cubicles | No Comments »

Modular Cubicles & Walls Greener Than Built In Options

Monday, January 24th, 2011

Are modular cubicles and walls superior to fixed architectural walls and built in casework from an environmental perspective? According to Herman Miller’s whitepaper assessing the lifecycle of both systems in a healthcare setting, the answer is yes. The independent researchers used components such as HM’s Action Office and modular walls from Wall Alliance Partners for this study. So, they caution that their findings don’t necessarily apply to other brands. However, even if the exact numbers vary, the logic would appear to hold true for other high-end systems furniture models.

Key Findings

The Herman Miller report covers 3 main areas:

  1. Waste produced
  2. Energy consumed
  3. Emissions that could impact climate change

The study used several different scenarios to estimate the environmental impact of each system over a period of 12 years including the likely rate of replacement. The initial numbers upon installation show modular cubicles and walls consuming less energy and generating significantly less waste than fixed options. The architectural walls and millwork had a slight edge in emissions.

Comparison Diverges at the Decade Mark

The numbers start looking very different 10 years out. By that time (as a conservative estimate), 50% of casework and 60% of walls would require replacement/remodeling. At this point, fixed options soar in environmental impact in all three areas measured. The explanation is simple. With a built in wall, you have to tear it out and build a new one out of fresh materials. The debris from the demolished walls and millwork goes straight to the landfill.

In comparison, modular walls and casework can be reconfigured without being destroyed. Individual components can be replaced if they wear out. The rest of the system can be reused over and over no matter how often the office environment is remodeled. Plus, the renovation process is much less disruptive with furnishings that are designed with reconfiguration, expansion, and relocation in mind.

Tags:
Posted in Cubicle Installation, New Cubicles | No Comments »

Contemporary Office Furniture – San Diego Style

Wednesday, January 19th, 2011

Are you considering outfitting an office space with contemporary office furniture? San Diego businesses that like to blend a relaxed work atmosphere with professional interior design have plenty of choices when it comes to modern office furnishings. While this style can be hard to define, there are some features that generally set contemporary pieces apart from traditional, utilitarian, and classical office furniture.

  • Genuine wood veneer in lighter shades (like cherry and maple) is a favorite for modern furnishings – especially when detailed with chrome and/or glass.
  • If non-wood laminates and fabrics are used for workstations and chairs, these may feature bright colors such as tangerine, plum, and aqua. White is often selected to serve as a base for these vibrant accents.
  • Cubicles often include frosted glass and other specialty materials that can be installed interchangeably with fabric and laminate tiles to add interest and improve functionality.
  • Chairs are streamlined – often featuring mesh rather than traditional upholstery.

What elements of contemporary office furniture design do you find most compelling? Let us know in the comments.

Tags:
Posted in New Cubicles, Office Furniture | No Comments »

How To Keep A New Cubicle Looking Good

Friday, January 14th, 2011

Once you have invested in a set of new cubicles, it won’t be long before they start looking less than pristine. Cubes used in shift work (such as call center occupations) typically see some of the greatest wear and tear since they are occupied continuously by employees who don’t really see the workstation as “theirs”. However, any new cubicle will begin to show signs of being lived in after a while.

Here are several steps you can take to keep your organization’s workstations looking new for as long as possible:

Cubicle panel frames are generally made of powder coated metal that is resistant to scratches and dents. However, it can still accumulate scuff marks. Provide a wide enough walkway between cubes to cut down on shoes bumping the edges of the panel frames in high traffic areas. Preventing cubicles from being jarred lessens the risk of damage to the connectors between panels as well.

Laminate worksurfaces are also prone to getting marked up. Provide pencil cups and tray organizers so employees can keep writing implements off the desk surface. Workers should also be asked not to put stickers or tape on metal or laminate surfaces since this can leave a tacky residue. If Maintenance does find a sticky substance, they shouldn’t try to scrape it off. Instead, they should start with a mild detergent and a damp cloth to see if that does the trick. If not, they can try alcohol or Windex. Industrial strength solvents such as Naptha can be used as a last resort but should be spot tested first.

Fabric is the most delicate material found in a new cubicle. Some manufacturers make their textiles resistant to stains, but no fabric is completely immune. Eliminating food and drink at desks to reduce the risk of staining cube fabrics is not likely to be a popular policy. So, familiarize your janitorial staff with the cleaning agents recommended for removing stains from your cubicle panels. For some brands, warm water and soap will work. For others, specialized cleaners must be applied. Using an upholstery vacuum attachment to remove surface dirt and dust every couple of weeks is usually a good idea but actual steam cleaning is too harsh.

Get a Professional Retouch

If your cubicles are older, it is possible to get them refurbished so that they look new again. This process can include replacing the fabric and laminate as well as repainting the metal frames. Broken or missing components can also be replaced. If you are satisfied with the size and shape of your existing workstations but want a new color scheme and restored functionality, refurbishing may be the cheapest option.

Tags:
Posted in New Cubicles, Refurbished Cubicles | No Comments »

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »

Website Design and Marketing by eBoost Consulting, a Digital Marketing Consultancy in San Diego, CA.