Performance Enhancing Panel Systems

By Author: Mel Joelle
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The term "performance enhancing" is perhaps unfortunately more associated with questionable drugs and related substances taken by athletes than a viable process to improve health through proper nutrition, to make computers run more efficiently or to partake in programs such as the U.S. Department of Labor's Performance Enhancement Project.

"Performance enhancement also relates to a workplace environment and the myriad details that contribute to or detract from personal comfort and productivity," says Mark Bassil, vice president and co-founder of MAiSPACE, a Mt. Olive NJ based manufacturer of modular office furniture systems. "Modular office panel systems play a surprisingly important role in contributing to the overall smooth functioning and high performance in today's offices. Facility managers must be aware of this as they plan new, renovated or expanded workplaces."
Systems Furniture

From a technical perspective panel systems define not only the workspace floor plan but also its ability to support interaction between a company's various departments. On a more personal basis, panel systems enable the creation ...
... of a worker friendly environment - physically and visually -likewise an important contribution to performance enhancement.

"The key to achieving both objectives is a robust, flexible structural approach exemplified by the MAiSPACE stackable panel system and its off-modular design," says Bassil. "The system was designed from scratch to achieve these objectives quickly and economically."

From a construction perspective, the MAiSPACE panel system can be viewed as similar to a building's structural steel framework through which runs the cabling to support voice, data and power technology and on which is placed decorative and functional panels - also called tiles - as well as the furniture elements that support the staff.

"When one considers the weight that these frames must be called on to bear, strength is a key design criterion," Bassil says. "MAiSPACE achieves this with framing constructed of 14-gauge cold-rolled steel that can support walls to 14 feet in height. Moreover, the design accommodates increases or decreases in height without removing existing panel frames."

Framing provides the means to create a variety of workstation configurations. These generally include interconnecting structural panels as central integrating elements or may employ rails, beams, frames, uprights, cores, or freestanding elements. Designed as knockdown and ready-to-assemble (RTA) framing components equipped with self-leveling connectors, they ease installation while reducing assembly costs and the number of framing components required.

The system's off modular design allows the placement of work surfaces, bins, shelves, storage facilities and returns at will, unlike more restrictive designs found in competitors' systems. The end result is a sophisticated solution to creating virtually limitless workplace configuration options.

Intelligence support connecting each workstation to the company's local area network (LAN) and external CIT resources is via the MAiSPACE patented plug and play voice, data and power cabling system. "MAiSPACE sets the benchmark for managing LANs in modular office furniture systems," Bassil says. "Unlike conventional systems, our cable runs are laid in behind lift-off panel segments, not bundled and fished through structural elements. Space is provided to store excess cable. Conveniently placed consolidation points simplify adding, moving or removing workstations or workstation clusters without shutting down the entire office LAN. This is a key factor in our performance-enhancing panel system. "

Physical and Visual Performance Enhancing Elements

Ergonomics is the key to the physical side of a performance enhancing workspace. "The chair is where people spend most of their time when in the office," Bassil comments, "yet studies have shown that the conventional office chair is one of the largest contributors to physical discomfort and reduced productivity in the modern office. Correct seating is comfort, durability, mobility and flexibility among other criteria.

"MAiSPACE responds with MAiCHAIR, one of the most attractively priced ergonomic office chairs in the contract furniture industry," Bassil says. "Ergonomic support is also found in our adjustable work surfaces that position computer keyboards at the most comfortable level to help avoid repetitive strain injuries. Curvilinear work surface tops with cascaded wraparound edges add to the comfort factor and our task lighting can be positioned to minimize eye strain." Shelving, storage bins, movable and permanent filing cabinets can be placed for maximum worker comfort thanks to the MAiSPACE off modular design.

Panels or tiles attached to the structural elements provide the means to creating an attractive visual environment that contributes to morale. Simply said, the extent to which companies can provide attractive surroundings has a tremendous positive impact on performance enhancement.

Colors and textures help make it happen. MAiSPACE delivers with its 18 panel segment options such as laminate, Coverseal, woodgrains, painted metal, embossed steel, brushed stainless steel, airflow, clear glass, frosted glass, textured glass, fabric, tackable/acoustical tiles, power/data tiles, marker board and paper management. Mixing and matching is at the discretion of the interior designer and is not constrained by minimum orders in a certain color, texture, pattern or finish.

"Solid, ergonomic construction, simplified data management and high style do not mean performance enhancement equates to high cost," Bassil concludes. "Our modern manufacturing and assembly techniques, when coupled with state-of-the-art approaches to supply chain strategies and distribution systems, put all these benefits within reach of what otherwise would be considered modest budgets. We deliver superior quality systems furniture at prices as much as 40% below manufacturers of comparable quality and provide move-in-ready workspaces from $12 to $15 per square foot regardless of the number of units ordered."
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