Whether you’re starting a new business, moving to new premises, or simply getting ready for new events, certain equipment is essential to have in your office if your business is to be successful. Things to consider include ergonomic factors that look after the health and well-being of your employees especially in the times of COVID-19, as well as the equipment that will provide the most efficient and productive working environment.
There’s no doubt that 2020 has been a year of surprises, and we cannot be certain what 2021 will bring. However, there are 10 essential pieces of office equipment that your office should have in 2021.
1. Ergonomic Furniture
Strategies to be implemented in 2021 for many businesses will include physical distancing, such as separating seats and removing chairs, adding barriers, improving cleaning and safety measures. You will have to consider if you need to invest in additional desks, chairs, and even filing cabinets for adequate physical distancing.
Ergonomics are also important at all times. The desk and chair should be ergonomic to promote good posture and avoid strain or injury. This can also be a consideration if your staff are working from home part or all of the time. Remote work conditions are often highly un-ergonomic, and responsible employers should assist their staff with ergonomic furniture for their home office setups.
2. IT
It is almost impossible to imagine our day to day without using electronic devices. Thanks to laptops and tablets we have greater accessibility from anywhere and at any time. A computer is almost always the most valuable resource for business operations, communication, and management. You know a computer is essential, but which to choose?
The right model for you will completely depend on the activities you are going to use it for. A consultant who uses their PC for mostly email, web, and databases applications will get by with a much simpler machine than a video editor or graphic designer.
3. Cybersecurity
Cyber security measures are essential for all businesses, however, in order to protect sensitive company and customer data. Always ensure you have the latest anti-virus and cybersecurity software install on all machines.
4. Multifunction Printers
Although today most information moves digitally, there are times that you need to deal in physical paper. It is worth having a multifunction printer for those documents that you want to record on paper. Many times, these documents also need to be photocopied or scanned. A multifunctional printer can save considerable time and money and is a worthwhile investment especially for small businesses.
5. Smart Board
Gone are the days of the old office white board. These days you’ll find smart boards, interactive whiteboards that allow team members to view and interact with the board from various locations. As the world moves towards more remote work, this will be an extremely useful tool for brainstorming, meetings, and team collaboration.
6. Phone Systems
Every day we carry out multiple activities through our cell phone. Check emails, make calls, send messages, pay for services, carry out paperwork, and banking. But this mean that you can dispense with the fixed line phones altogether? This will entirely depend on the nature of your business. To improve communication between employees and with customers, it is important to have a telephone system of some kind. If you do decide to rely on smart phones, make sure you use integrated VOIP software to make sure that communications run smoothly.
7. Lighting
Lighting in the office is very important to achieve better performance in the workplace. If your staff do not work with proper lighting, they can feel tired, suffer headaches, or develop bad posture. It is recommended that the workspace has natural and artificial light sources, a window, and a lamp on the desk that reduce eye fatigue.
8. Decorative Items
Although they are not essential, decorations and artwork do infer motivation and a sense of belonging. Ideally, each staff member should personalize their work station, but the shared office spaces should also feature decorative items like pictures, plants and pleasant wall colors.
9. Coffee Machine and Water Dispenser
The coffee break is a vital part of the day when employees relax and refresh their motivation. Since we spend so many hours in the office sitting behind a desk, getting up for a coffee or water to hydrate is a vital break. A functional space with a coffee machine and water dispenser also provides an important opportunity for team building.
10. Safety Equipment
Thanks to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the way we live and work has changed dramatically, perhaps for ever. It has never been more important to ensure the safety of customers and employees by offering them the opportunity to sanitise their hands when entering and leaving the office using an indoor sanitiser dispenser station. In addition to this, companies may need to supply other equipment such as masks and gloves to guarantee the safety of their employees and customers.
