Factors affecting the purchasing of office furniture

Factors affecting the purchasing of office furniture

Carl Heyal in his book on Hand Book of Modern Office Management and Administrative Services, list out the following factors to be considered while selecting office furniture and equipment.

1. Functions, activity and duty requirement.

2. Individual requirements.

3. Effect of individual requirements upon other personnel.

4. Employees preference.

5. Age of existing furniture.

6. Aesthetic value and relationship with the total interior effect.

7. Design, quality and flexibility of furniture.

8. Availability of furniture.

9. Location preference for new furniture.

10. Price and investment tax plan.

J.C. Denyer in his book on Office Management has given the following factors which should be considered while purchasing new furniture.

1. Design: It is related to the size of the top, height, number of drawers. etc.

2. Capital Outlay: An obvious factor when buying equipment.

3. Durability: Metal furniture will properly last longer than ordinary wooden furniture.

4. Saving in Space: Some furniture is specially designed to save office.

5. Fire Risk: Again metal furniture is a better fire risk than wooden

6. Weight: If furniture has to be moved around as it often the case in a large office, then height, weight is preferable.

7. Hygiene: How easy it is to clean the furniture and the floor under earth it.

8. Appearance: Furniture which is not only pleasing to the eye but the appearance is also lifted by the employer.

9. Comfort of Office Work: This means that more work is likely to be performed and with less distraction.

1o. Safety: Plate — glass topped furniture may not be safe to use.

11. Finish: If there is too high a glass, it can cause glare and distraction from work.

12. Saving in labor: The file units inbuilt in some furniture can save movement and walking about by the clerks.

13. Supervision: Work being done in office should not be over looked due to structure of furniture.