Companies offering free consulting, high-quality products

Going to a discount office supply mega-store you can find low prices on office furniture. But representatives of companies that specialize in business office furnishings point to an old adage: You get what you pay for.

"We call what comes from discount office supply stores disposable furniture,"

says Betty Shaw, owner of Hancock Business Furnishings in Gulfport. "It is fun until you move it, and it falls apart. It is the same as buying a cheap pair of shoes. Some people will buy cheap shoes because they don't mind replacing them often. But I have furniture out there I installed when I started 20 years ago that still looks and works great. I talk to people who think they want used furniture or cheap new furniture. But by spending a little more money, you can get something that is quality."

Shaw says there are a number of advantages to using a company that specializes in office furnishings rather than a discount office supply or a regular furniture retailer. First is consulting services. Shaw visits the customer's offices, determines the needs, and then recommends products that suit those needs.

"You're getting a consultant without pay," Shaw said. "It is part of our services. We can help with space planning. Everything is delivered and installed and has a warranty. And we let people sit in a chair for a week before they have to buy it. Sometimes you sit in a chair in a showroom, and it feels good. But you later determine it isn't."

A good office chair for yourself or employees should be a No. 1 priority. A lot of information is coming out about the advantages of ergonomically designed chairs. And it just makes sense to pay attention to the piece of furniture that might be used eight hours a day for many years.

Well-designed workplace

A well-designed workplace also is important. Size and space need to be considered. Often people have desks that are larger than needed. Modular furniture can be designed so that storage is convenient, and being able to adjust the

desk to the right height to suit the user is critical, especially for people who use the computer for long hours. Another consideration is good task lighting.

"It is more than just buying a desk," Shaw said. "It is figuring out how the desk, lighting and chair will improve your productivity."

More choices

Another advantage of using a business that specializes in office furniture is being able to choose from a wide variety of fabrics to complement the existing decor or the decor that is planned. Shaw said they are even able to get furniture stained to match existing furniture.

Catherine Boykin, showroom manager for Office Furniture USA in Jackson, says other advantages of dealing with office furniture specialists is that you have a set price locked in for at least a year, on-time delivery, personal sales assistance, better products and more selection.

"The quantity and quality and service that you are going to get from a local dealer would be much better than going to a department store," Boykin said. "We are not in competition with discount office outlets. The advantages are you have help and backup. Besides having a much wider range of products to choose from, you can sometimes get better discounts."

Boykin agrees that the most important consideration for today's office is to have ergonomic task seating and a functional desk system. Organization and function in the office workspace is critical. Chairs should have lower lumbar support to prevent neck and shoulder pain or injury and prevent carpel tunnel syndrome.

"If you aren't sitting properly, you won't work properly," Boykin said. "Another critical item is the correct keyboard. So many people sit behind incorrect keyboards, and that is what creates carpel tunnel in a lot of business situations. If you have someone behind a computer, there must be a proper chair, keyboard and desk to get the work out and be profitable."

Norman Weber, president/owner of Office Environments in Jackson, says that being involved in this profession for the past 30 years, he has seen major changes in all facets of the office furniture industry.

"The requirements of today's office are much different from the offices of 30 years past," Weber said. "Obviously office technology has driven manufacturers to produce products which will provide adequate wire management for computers, telephones and many other types of office equipment. Fiber optic cabling and other types of computer cabling require ease of access. Panels are also required to manage large capacities of wiring. The old two- to three-inch baseline raceway simply is not functional any longer."

Panel systems evolving

Panel systems (or cubicles, as they are sometimes called) were first introduced in the late 1960s to early 1970s. Weber said panels are now available which offer cable management throughout the panel and access at mid-line. Multi-circuited electrical systems are commonplace. Some manufacturers even offer custom wiring capabilities if special circuitry is required. Wiring changes or repairs can now be made by removing exterior elements without disassembling an entire workstation or group of workstations.

Weber said along with this, the need has also surfaced for panel systems to be flexible and easy to reconfigure. Panel systems now offer the ability to provide workstations as low as 36 inches in height as well as floor-to-ceiling heights. These panels which allow heights to be changed in the field without totally disassembling a workstation.

Mobility is another issue. In some cases offices require certain areas to be able to share equipment. Weber said mobile worktables, mobile filing and mobile storage items are now offered to compliment fixed workstations. Teaming areas can be created and in some cases mobile screens or panels can be utilized. The key is flexibility.

"The prudent buyer should not be narrow minded," Weber said. 'There are many new products and options available. The old philosophy of selecting products based on brand names should be avoided. Today's consumer has many options from which to choose and when selecting a product they would be wise to compare the features and benefits of a number of manufacturers. There are products available which provide all of the requirements of today's office at a very competitive cost."