First Steps - Assessments, Space Planning and Product Selection
If you have ever dreamt of buying a new car or home, you probably had a rough idea of the process involved. Buying new office furniture, on the other hand, might be a little less familiar. Here's a general guide to purchasing systems furniture, so you can know what to expect.
We recommend working with a dealer experienced in the design and installation of office cubicles systems. This is a complicated purchase with hundreds of options, considerations, and details to specify. Your professional dealer will guide you through the process; Maxon dealers use the Inspirations System. Simply click here and we will find a qualified dealer in your area.
Office Assessments
The first step in planning your office cubicle system is assessing the needs of your employees and your organization.
A sampling of questions to ask employees:
- How much time do they spend on the computer, on the phone, or doing paperwork?
- How often do they need to collaborate with co-workers?
- Do they host meetings in their cubicles?
- How often do they use printer, copier, fax machine and which of these items will be located in their workstation?
- How much space do they need for filing – both under the desk and on shelves?
- How much space do they need to spread out their work on worksurfaces?
A similar assessment will take place for your organization. More detailed information on assessments is available in our article about Assessments. Answers to these questions will help you make smart decisions when choosing cubicle workstations for your office.
Office Space Planning and Product Selection
Your dealer will help you establish the basic parameters for your office and then work with you in following the steps to get you to the perfect office (using the Maxon Inspirations Guide makes this easier and faster):
- Select the best typical layouts for your staff.
- Add the right details to fit your organization and staff requirements.
- Choose the most appropriate product line.
- Pick fabric and surface colors for your space.
It will be helpful to try to locate a floor plan of your office. Scale drawings from architect or your building manager are often available. Or, you can take measurements yourself. However you obtain this information, having the dimensions of your office space will speed the process and aid your dealer with your systems furniture purchase. But don't worry if you can't find an accurate drawing, your furniture dealer will help measure your space and confirm dimensions. With all of this in hand space planners will create a layout for your office and work with you through various versions until you have the perfect office.
With a thorough assessment space planning becomes easy. You are simply matching the features of each typical workstation layout under consideration with the needs that you have identified. You add only the detailed features that will complete the picture and start to assess products. Which product lines have the features and benefits that you require? As with any purchase, you will save money by buying products that are the best match for your situation and do not have features that you do not need and will not use. Our detailed review of products in this guide will help you sort out the issues of aesthetics, function and durability when making this choice.
Color selection is the final element in the design process. This is greatly simplified by working with a designer or working with a tool like Maxon Inspirations. In short, selecting colors that fit your organization and your building décor will complete the process and deliver an office that makes everyone happy.
Now you are ready to place the order – the design is done.
