What is the average lifespan of dispatch console furniture? How long do they last?

I get these questions every now and then from potential customers. These type of questions remind me of some advice I got from a real estate agent when I was shopping for a new house. I asked him, “Should we ask why they are moving?” The answer was, “No, they aren’t going to tell you the truth, anyway.” He was right. The owners would never say something like, “The neighbor’s dog barks all night long and keeps us awake.”

Everyone wants to save a buck. Trust me, I do, too! Sometimes I have visions of grandeur that I can make some quick repair around the house. And the way these projects usually turn out is that they are larger then anyone expected, taking longer then anyone expected, and usually doesn't get completed in the time frame expected.

If durability is the most important item to you when shopping for a new dispatch console, look no further than Xybix’s new Anvil line of dispatch consoles. After a comprehensive analysis of 20^th century PSAP's, Xybix has simplified the 911 console with cutting edge technology that had previously complicated so many things. 

You can have say in what your reading room looks like! Every radiologist has sat at their imaging desk and thought how their life could be better if they just made a few changes to their room. Many radiologists come to us because they want to improve their room and their health. Some common issues we hear about room design:

• "I am facing the wrong direction and cannot see people standing over my shoulder."
• "Some light is creeping in through the blinds making it hard to read my screens."
• "I do not have control over the climate in my room, I'm freeze or sweating all shift long."
• "I cannot dim the lights; they are either 'off' or 'on'."
• "My own voice bounces off the wall, making my dictation difficult."
• "I’m stuck sitting all day and cannot stand at my imaging desk."

Your top 3 price questions, answered

Most radiologists know the advantages of doing their work at a high-quality, height-adjustable workstation. The best radiology furniture not only delivers optimum comfort for doctors during long hours; it supports an ideal workflow and enables greater collaboration among the team.

So, what does a new radiology desk cost? We’ll cut straight to the chase here, followed by key considerations to help you maximize the furniture investment you make for the long term. 

We all have had to call customer service. Personally, I usually dread the phone call due to all of the call tree options — press one for this... press two for that... I understand that it helps to speed up the process and send you to the right person, but I still find it annoying and cumbersome. Can’t a real person answer the phone? Then you wait on hold for however long it is. It always seems longer, but perception is reality. 

We’ve seen a lot of hospitals put radiologists into small, weird-shaped rooms, with no thought of who is actually working in that room and how they’re going to use it. Radiologists don’t just sit (or better yet, stand) at a desk with one computer. Most Radiologists have multiple computers and monitors and they need to be in a dark, quiet room to work. They also need control over the room’s light, climate and noise. Together, these factors present a complicated environment for radiologist to work in.

One of the most exciting parts of designing a comm center or building a new 911 dispatch center is working on the layout. Everyone has ideas on how they can make it better. And why not? Sitting at the consoles for hours on end does give you time to think. Often time it is 'well that is stupid, why did they put that there?', or 'why am I sitting underneath an air conditioning vent?'. 

What do you need to look for and what do you need to ask to get it done right?  How do you get the best room design for you?  How do you know if they are just “selling you” or actually helping you out?  Will you meet ADA?  When the furniture shows up will it fit and will your equipment fit. 

When researching new dispatch furniture, it’s understandable that you want to find the best value for your dispatchers, techs, management, and taxpayers. Price is always a concern, and should be a very important component to your decision-making process. You also need furniture that’s durable and will last, especially given the high-impact work environment of emergency dispatch. Ergonomics should be high on your list, as well, as you want the consoles to comfortably fit all your dispatchers. But one thing that’s easy to overlook should be another important consideration during the shopping process: a reliable warranty.

Some companies may try to tell you that their “lifetime warranty” proves that their product is better than others on the market. This isn’t always the case. Warranties can be difficult to read and understand, and often don’t translate easily into layman’s terms. With this in mind, we’ve put together this simple guide to walk you through common warranty terms (and what they really mean), and explain what questions you should ask to ensure you get a fair deal from any dispatch furniture manufacturer.

“We spent good money on these height-adjustable consoles 7 years ago, and none of my dispatchers use them!” I can spot this problem immediately when I walk into a 911 dispatch center. Both the workstation surfaces are the exact same height, with paperwork and radios spread out across them. Most dispatchers in the center are not working in the best ergonomic position. What can I say? Some people simply do not like change.