PLANNING FOR SUCCESS

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Factors to consider in the decision making process

This page simply exists for the purpose of stimulating ideas to aid in the planning of your furniture layout.  Any time something like this is done, you can't help but wonder what may have been overlooked and left out.   One thing is certain in our experience; we have found that it pays to plan.  Perhaps some of the ideas below will be helpful. 

• DESIGN VS. FUNCTIONALITY
  Furniture can make a bold statement about your company as well as simply fulfill a functional role.   Do you want your furniture to be strictly functional, or to make an esthetic and design statement as well.   Often times we try to strike a balance between, function, cost and esthetics.   What are you looking for?   Does it vary by room?
  
  

• THE SPACE YOU HAVE TO WORK WITH
  Most of the time, our customers have a given space or existing room that they are working with.   If that is the case, it helps us a great deal to have information about the room.   On rare occasions, the room is very large and there is little concern about restraints on the furniture. However, the time that it takes to take some measurements in the room will aid us substantially in giving you a furniture layout that we are confident you will be happy with.  Therefore we suggest that you make a little floor plan sketch of the room ( it does not have to be to scale or professionally drawn) showing basic room dimensions, available wall space, locations of windows and doors, etc.  That helps us have a better understanding of what you are doing in the room.   We will take your sketch and return a drawing - to scale- of the proposed furniture in your room.  Then YOU WILL KNOW if it accomplishes your objectives.
  
  
• EQUIPMENT THAT WILL BE INCORPORATED INTO THIS DESIGN    -  PRESENT AND FUTURE
  This step takes a little bit of leg work on your part, but it has been our experience that the effort is worth the time it takes.  It may even be wise to consult co-workers or others involved to get their ideas on what equipment will be included NOW and what possibilities should be planned on for FUTURE changes or expansion.   Some related ideas to this issue are also listed below:
  
            1.    Proximity to the operator  -  some equipment greatly facilitates productivity if it is in fingertip reach of the operator. 
                   Other pieces  are less critical and may be placed a little farther away.
            
            2.    Cooling and Noise  -  Will noise suppression be required with this equipment or in this room. (most cases it is not an issue) 
                   Is cooling a critical issue (such as with SCSI Hard drives.)
  
            3.    How many rack spaces do you need?    NOW   and   LATER  ON  
                   Leave some room.   Keep in mind that in some circumstances when you run out of rack space you will call us and
                   need an additional piece of furniture made to accommodate an oversight in terms of rack space.  We are happy to 
                   build it of course, but you could save money by trying to plan ahead when possible.
  
            4.    What changes do you anticipate and is it possible to plan for them now?
                   Example:  One client was using a particular production console presently but knew that they would be switching to 
                   another brand at a future date. This would require different console cutout sizes etc.  We planned ahead by fabricating 
                   the work surfaces to make the change over easy and cost effective in the future.
  
            5.    Do you have data sheets available for primary pieces of equipment such as -  Broadcast Consoles.
  
            6.    How many computers will you be using?  Do hard drives need to be in close proximity?
                   Do you need pull out keyboard trays?   Where will the keyboards be located?  
                   Where will the monitors be located?      Do you need computer monitor arms?
  
            7.    Where will the audio monitors be located?    What size monitors?    Do you need monitor arms?    
  
  
• CABLING REQUIREMENTS
  Where will cables come into the furniture?    From floor?   From wall?  
  Do you need a  central PUNCH DOWN AREA ?
  Once your cables get into the furniture you will have complete and immediate access to all cable runs - yet they will be out of sight
  during normal use. 
  
  
• REAR ACCESS TO EQUIPMENT
  In almost all cases, we automatically provide rear access to equipment.  This means you can get at faulty cables or make wiring
  changes in minutes rather than in hours.   This helps to make our furniture a "cost saving"  and  "long run"  solution.
  However, there are limited occasions where rear access is not practical.    A factor to consider.
  
  
• STAND UP OR SIT DOWN 
  Is the furniture to be constructed for Stand Up operation or Sit down operation or a Combination.  
  (see "Combo Stand Up & Sit"  on our Layout Ideas Webpage)
  
  
• GUESTS
  Do you need an area for guests?   Do they need microphones and/or headsets?   How many guests?
  
  
• STORAGE 
  Do you need a place for media storage, CD storage, paper,  or even office supplies that should be considered.
  Often times we include an adjustable shelf cabinet, or drawer base cabinet that can be outfitted with rack rails 
  and become another rack-cabinet in the future.
  
  
• WORK SURFACE SPACE
  Once you get everything in place, will you have a little worksurface left over for writing notes or such things?
  
  
  
  
  FINAL NOTE:
  This page is simply a list of some of the ideas that we have found helpful in planning your furniture.  We also know that some of our customers are excellent planners.  If you have something that you think may benefit others in the planning stage please drop us a note on our CONTACTS PAGE.  We recognize that some of those visiting this site will have valuable advice.  Thank you.

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