Panel Based Systems By Maispace

By Author: Mel Joelle
Total Articles: 4304
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There is a multitude of options available in office furniture. It's enough to make anyone's head spin! Here, we will take a look at the choices existing in panel based office systems.

What is a panel-based system? A panel-based system is one where everything—from desks and file cabinets to internal power sources—is mounted onto the panels themselves. This is juxtaposed to a freestanding system, which is a system where the walls of each station are put up around the desk and other equipment. While freestanding systems are excellent for temporary set-ups, panel-based systems offer a lot more flexibility in design.

What are the benefits of a panel-based system? One major benefit is that they can easily be adapted to your employee's needs. If, for instance, you have a group of employees that need more privacy to do their job, panels up to 80 inches can be used. Tall panels reduce noise levels and create a private enclosure. For those who need more of a group environment, panels can be as short as 30 inches. This works well for employees who need to work with coworkers often, they can just stand up and ...
... talk to their neighbors about whatever project they're working on.

Choices, choices, choices! There are also various options available in panel-based systems. The first thing you should do is survey your employees to ensure that you make the most efficient decisions. How often do they need the computer or the phone? Do they do a lot of paperwork? Do they require a lot of space for filing papers? Do they have meetings in their cubes often? Do they need a printer, copier or fax machine at their station? Any of these things can significantly effect what choices make the most sense. If your employees rarely do paper work, it's not important for them to have a large desk. If they need to file important paperwork, you may want to incorporate filing systems into their cubes. Knowing their specific needs will make it much easier to make these choices.

There are an incredible number of options available in the materials used. You can choose from tackable and non-tackable panels, depending on whether or not a bulletin board-like material would be beneficial to your employees. Tackable panels are made from fabric (available in a wide range of colors and patterns) while non-tackable panels are generally particleboard or steel covered with fabric. There are a wide variety of other materials available: from whiteboard to laminate and glass to steel.

You can also choose between monolithic and segmented panels. Monolithic panels are made of a uniform material from top to bottom. Segmented panels, like the name implies, can be divided into different sections. This type of panel is more aesthetically pleasing, and more expensive. They allow you to use all types of materials, which can obviously be beneficial. You can use more durable materials for the bottom (where employee's feet often kick), while allowing for a tackable material in the middle (for important memos and other information) and glass at the top, which will allow in more light than the other options.

Some systems also have both sides of the panel configurable to your needs, which means each side of the panel can be different. This is beneficial in a variety of ways. First, it can provide a uniform look on the outside of workstations, even if the interiors of the stations are made up of different materials. It also allows different materials to be used on shared walls. If you have one employee who would benefit from a tackable surface and another in the opposite cube who may need an area of whiteboard, you can do that.

One thing is definitely certain about panel-based systems: whatever your office's needs, you are sure to be able to meet them. With so many different combinations of options, you can customize your office system as you see fit. And MAiSPACE is here to help you with your decision.
Click here to read the rest of Panel Based Systems. If you enjoyed this article, you also might like our other stories about Systems Furniture.