Back to articles
Storage has come a long way since the coffee-and-cream filing cabinets of the 1970s, which were usually the filing cabinet of choice for people wearing flares or Farah Fawcett haircuts. Bisley a leading brand are involved in creating storage solutions that cater for changing needs in the workplace.
1) Think beyond paper and files
Perhaps the paperless office is a utopian pipe dream, but that does not mean that workplace storage should focus solely on paper and filing or even their high-tech counterparts such as DVDs. With the boundaries between work and personal lives becoming increasingly blurred, it is vital to provide space for "lifestyle" storage. Think of mobile workers armed with laptops and smartphones, or employees who cycle to work and require space for helmets and Lycra shorts.
2) Do not consider storage as a bolt-on
Storage should be thought of as an integral part to any interiors scheme adding a whole new dimension to the office environment.
3) Use storage to define space
Vast open plan workspaces do not necessarily require screens or walls to break them into bite-sized chunks. Banks of storage units can be an efficient way to carve up space into defined areas, perhaps for team-based working. It can provide a sense of personal space without resorting to a clutter of freestanding screens, and can further support teamwork by integrating elements such as writing slopes and top-mounted rails to carry artwork and dry-wipe boards.
4) Treat storage as a "live" issue
Ongoing management of storage is vital for a successful workspace. It is not just about supplying lots of cabinets and shelves and leaving employees to get on with it. Effective storage needs to be managed and monitored on a frequent basis, and reconfigured or used in a different way if necessary.
5) Think laterally
Recognise that storage units are not just places to store things. They can promote communication and team working. Fitted with power-provided worksurfaces, storage clusters are transformed into highly-effective touchdown points for meetings or private working.
6) Manage change
Bad habits die hard. If you want a new storage regime to work, then do not simply impose it on users. Involve them in the design/specification process to get "buy in", explain how it works and provide suitable training. Otherwise that sparkling new rolling rack storage will remain empty while the piles of paper next to desks grow ever taller.
7) Be flexible
Do your homework: Is the storage you are providing suitable for only one task or application? Can it be easily reconfigured to adjust to changing work patterns or staffing? Lateral Files come in various heights and widths, usually with incremental piercing to accommodate a host of different closure and internal fit-out options.
Recommended Products:
Bisley Filing Cabinets