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Orgatec 2016

With just two months to go until Orgatec 2016 in Cologne, Germany, Metalicon are super excited to be a part of such a great exhibition

Orgatec is one of the leading international office trade fairs (with 624 companies from 41 countries participating in the previous show in 2014) and dates back to 1953 when it was called the ‘West German office furniture fair’. It was then renamed to ‘Orga Art’ in 1969 before becoming ‘Orgatec’ in 1990.

Today, Orgatec covers a wide range of office-based hardware and software solutions such as lighting, flooring, acoustics, media technology, facility planning, construction, extension, operation and service, administrative organisation, planning systems, accessories and software. The focus is on practical solutions for innovative business worlds. Mobile, flexible and ergonomic work stations of the future are at the forefront.

Metalicon are extremely happy to be part of such a great exhibition for our industry. Our exhibition stand (pictured) will be at number 11.2 – H029 J028.

To find out more visit www.orgatec.com – If you are coming to the event please drop in on us and say hello.

Is computer use killing your productivity?

Jobs that involve working with computers are not typically associated with workplace injuries, due to the lack of exposure to hazardous chemicals, strenuous exertion, or moving parts. There are, however, a number of health and safety risks that come with the prolonged use of computers. The potential injuries inflicted by working with computers are subtle and manifest over a long period of time. While the risk of electric shock and death by electrocution is real, the vast majority of computer-related health issues result in disability and lost productivity. These health threats include eye strain and repetitive strain injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome.

Eyestrain is called computer vision syndrome when it involves computer screens. When the user starts experiencing soreness of the eyes, headaches, blurred vision, or dryness, this may be a sign of CVS. This condition is a regularly occurring problem for people who spend a long time sitting in front of a computer screen. The office furniture industry now recognises that increasing screen adjustability using monitor arms is the best way to alleviate risk.

The increased flexibility allows users to reduce the amount of glare on the screen by directing it away from windows and other sources of bright light. The correct distance between the user’s head and the monitor, which is between 18 and 24 inches is also essential to prevent or alleviate eye strain. Changing the monitor’s brightness and contrast settings, as well as the screen resolution are other methods that help. Simply making the screen easier to adjust results in better working, increased productivity and decreased levels of staff absence.

Even small changes can make a big difference when it comes to workspace health and safety. While the risks associated with computer use are not high, they often have an effect on one’s vision, muscles and spine. In recent years, it is welcome that businesses have started investing in measures designed to increase staff happiness and productivity. Staff comfort and healthy working are basic necessities; companies wanting energetic personnel should now be taking a good hard look at their workstations.

Often find yourself struggling to focus?

Or getting more and more stressed though the working day until you feel like you are going to explode? It appears that at least part of the solutions to these issues may lie in the colours we surround ourselves with in the workplace. Most office environments today are in shades of white, off-white or grey. This may feel crisp and clean, but research suggests that it may not be conducive to optimum performance.

A recent University of Texas study by researcher Nancy Kwallek gave three groups of people clerical tasks to complete in three different rooms, each painted a different color: red, white, and aqua. The startling result was that each group of people made more errors working in the white room than in the aqua or red room. “White doesn’t help us be productive, and most work environments are white, off-white, or grey,” says Kwallek.

So what to do…?

Further research showed that the following guidelines can be used to decide which colours to use in which activity areas:

BLUE: Is a calming colour and promotes clear thought. Use blues in general work areas to promote productivity and teamwork, and enhance concentration.

GREEN: Is associated with nature and relaxation. Use greens in areas where reactive high pressure work is carried out, to reduce stress and burnout and help staff remain calm and efficient.

RED: Grabs our attention and promotes excitement. Use reds in areas where physical work is carried out, as it raises the heart rate and improves performance. It can also improve short term concentration for project work.

YELLOW: Is associated with fun and happiness. Beware though, as too much yellow can make people anxious and stressed. The right shade of yellow can improve creativity and may be the best choice of decor colour for those in creative fields like graphic design.

Whatever the colour, it’s the intensity that triggers the strongest response. To get the full effect, use bright colours as they have a stimulating effect. Subdued colours have a more soothing effect on both the mind and body. Of course, it’s not always an option to change the colour of your whole office. Often the viable alternative is to opt for coloured accents in the form of furniture and accessories, so that different teams are surrounded by the colours that will best suit their type of work.

Arrow Group offer a range of screens in Perspex, plus a huge variety of fabric combinations and ergonomic accessories to allow companies to create productive customised working environments.

Samsung and Acer not always VESA compatible

Few in the office furniture industry sell monitors, but nearly all office furniture companies sell monitor arms. For the most successful companies, it’s rare to complete an office furniture project without them. For very good reason, the Video Electronics Standard Association (VESA) provide a standard fixing spacing for monitors known as the flat display mounting interface (FDMI) standard.

Monitors with the correct fixing points are usually known as VESA compliant and the mounting point on monitor arms as the VESA plate. This mounting interface standard is a victory for consumers requiring cross compatibility. The VESA standard defines dimensions of a display’s four-hole attachment interface and the screws used to fit those holes. This normally means the hole pattern is centred on a display’s back with either a 100 x 100mm or 75 x 75mm mounting hole pattern, using M4 screws.

However, recently manufacturers such as Samsung and Acer have left VESA fixings off some of their new designs. Assumedly this is to slightly reduce their production costs. This is an annoyance to the consumer, particularly if they’ve ordered an office full of them before discovering there is no way to fix them to the monitor arms they have bought without expensive and clumsy adaptors. If you’re specifying monitor arms, be sure to check your customer has VESA compliant monitors, or if not yet purchased, warn them to choose compliant monitors.

Some manufacturers e.g. Asus, AOC, LG and Dell often include VESA even when their standard mount isn’t attached to the VESA fixings, but a visual check is one way to be sure. Even when monitors are compliant companies rarely advertise VESA compatibility due to licencing costs, so find out for certain by requesting the model number from your client and checking images online. Firstly check for four equally spaced holes in the back, but beware they are sometimes under another cover, so if not visible a call to the manufacturer in question is the only definitive answer.

Kardo now available in tool rail mount version

Metalicon’s first monitor arm, the Kardo fixed pole has been in worldwide demand since its launch in early 2014. The success with the first monitor arm led Metalicon to release dual and quad versions.

The most natural progression was to meet customer demand for a tool rail mounted version. The arm is designed to fit the majority of tool rails but still includes the sought-after features included with the Kardo fixed pole. Both models come as standard with quick release height adjustment, cable management, three colours to choose from and quick release VESA plate. The arm fits on both base or above desk mounted rails as the pole component is simply turned upside down and fitted from beneath.

The ergonomic revolution across modern business has put monitor arms under increasing demand. Companies purchase monitor arms for a professional workspace, DSE compliance benefits and to reduce the frequency of staff absence due to MSD. Staff members benefit from more space on the desk, adjustable view and better working environment.

Now equipped with a tool rail option, we are proud to satisfy the needs of those companies investing in safer and more enjoyable places of work.

Orgatec a roaring success

Metalicon would like to thank everyone for taking time to visit our stand at Orgatec Modern Office & Facility exhibition in Cologne.

The level of interest we received, especially within the European market, was fantastic with over 900 visitors. Of particular interest were the ranges of flexible monitor arms including the Kardo dual monitor mount and impressive new slimline Libero arms.

Metalicon is a premium brand of high quality office furniture accessories, such as monitor arms, CPU holders for thin client and standard size PC’s, cable trays and cable management, steel pedestals and power. The Metalicon range is supplied exclusively through our global distributor network.

Thank you for your continued support.

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