Tips for Choosing the Right Filing Cabinets

file cabinetThe right filing cabinets are an important component of any office. Filing cabinets come in so many types and sizes that it can be difficult to know which one is best for your office needs. Here are some things to keep in mind when choosing a filing cabinet in order to select the right one.

Size

Filing cabinets generally come in letter or legal size. Letter-sized drawers hold documents that are a standard 8 1/2″ x 11″, while letter-sized drawers hold paperwork that is 8 1/2″ x 14″. If you rarely handle legal-sized documents, you can probably get by with a smaller cabinet, but you may want a larger one if you regularly handle both sizes of paper.

You’ll also need to decide how big your filing cabinet should be. Vertical cabinets may be between two and five drawers high, while horizontal ones may contain only one or two drawers (but also vary in length). Buying a cabinet slightly bigger than what you need will help you account for future growth, and will prevent the need to place files in storage.

Locking vs. Non-Locking

The decision to purchase a locking or non-locking filing cabinet will largely depend on the type of business you operate. Some things to consider are:

  • Whether your clients legally have a right to privacy
  • The possibility that sensitive information could be misused
  • Whether you regularly serve a vulnerable class of people such as children, senior citizens or individuals with disabilities

When in doubt, it’s better to err on the side of caution and purchase a locking filing cabinet, since it only costs a little bit more to do so.

Materials and Color

Finally, you’ll need to decide what materials and color would best match your office decor. Fortunately, filing cabinets come in a wide assortment of styles, materials and colors, so matching your existing decor will be easy. To see the huge selection of filing cabinets we have available, please click here.

Deciding Between New and Used Office Furniture

furnitureWhen you are taking time to redo your office there are a lot of decisions that need to be made. For starters, you will need to choose the color of paint to be used on the walls and also decide what type of flooring (carpet or tile) will match your office space. Next, you will need to choose the décor and these are just some of the things you will need to consider when redoing your office space. And since this is a lengthy process, you will want to ensure that every decision is well thought, so as to avoid any re-work (which can be both costly and time consuming).

One other aspect of an office redesign is deciding what type of furniture you will require. Depending on your company’s specific budget, you can decide between buying used or brand new furniture. There are many reasons to go with either option. Below are some highlights worth considering when deciding between the two options:

Reasons to choose new office furniture:

  • The furniture will last longer because you are the first to use it.
  • It is easy to find furniture that fits with your specific office style.
  • The furniture will be modern and up to date in terms of style.

Reasons to choose used office furniture:

  • You get higher quality furniture for a lower price point.
  • There are many unique furniture options out there when you buy used.
  • The furniture will look almost brand new if it’s been properly refurbished.

The final decision is ultimately yours.

After weighing all the options, you will need to decide which is the best option for your specific budget. If you or your company need help in making that decision, feel free to contact us and we will gladly assist you throughout the buying process.

Why Locking Filing Cabinets Are Still Legally Required for Business

locking-file-cabinetsIn recent years, there have been many advancements in digital technology and paperless trends. However most businesses still have an ongoing need to keep physical paper files and filing cabinets are still a vital piece of many business environments. Any organization must remember that filing cabinets with lockable features are legally required for certain industries and professions, but did you know that ALL businesses must protect certain types of paperwork with locking containers that include:

  • Employee information, even that which only includes potential employment data written on applications, resumes, interview questionnaires and other criteria that divulges any type of personal information, containing SSN’s, DOB, past employment info and other types of sensitive data.
  • Any type of legal information, regardless of the source or situation: cases resolved, solved, unsolved or dropped, this data must be under lock and key at all times.
  • All types of medical data, especially insurance paperwork for new or existing employees, those applying, changing coverage, inquiring about differences, additions and any type of inquiries about employment benefits, must be locked and secured.

In today’s digital age, paperwork, signatures and hard-copies are still a necessity and appropriate measures need to be laid in place to protect and safeguard this type of valuable and sensitive data. Insurance audits are also a realistic and regular part of business practices and having a lock in place to protect this type of data can help avoid fines.

In a different example, OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) requirements demand a number of regulations including regular monthly “tailgate” meetings be held for certain industries and they are to be kept on paper, filed and signed off by all employees, supervisors and administrators, on safety and preventative measures dependent upon the industry.

For affordable solutions on all types of filing cabinets please contact us today.