At Xybix, we hear—and throw around—a lot of terminology for what you might call a “desk.” Dispatch consoles, healthcare workstations, imaging desks. But no matter what they’re called, the desks are part of an entire furniture system that is customized to each customer’s needs. It's one of the main reasons our name is "Xybix Systems."
We’re not pulling a premade desk off a shelf. We’re designing, manufacturing, and installing the desks, computer cabinets, bookshelves, panel systems, lighting, and more that all work together to create a healthy and productive workplace. Plus, thanks to our degreed and experienced interior designers, the room is not only going to look exceptionally cool, but it is going to function well systemically.
If you’re thinking, “Whoa, this is more than I need,” never fear. Our experts in dispatch, transportation, utilities, security surveillance, and healthcare, work with you to figure out what you need for your project, whether it’s 1 desk or 100 desks, bare bones or with all the bells and whistles.
Read on for how the system approach ensures that everything works together, right away and for years to come.
- Start with Numbers
The first step to installing a new furniture system is knowing how many desks you need. For most customers, this is not a 1:1 ratio of employee to desks. The desks are generally in use 24/7 across shifts, so you need enough to cover your busiest shift. We’ve had dispatch centers install an extra desk or two for training, electrical companies add extra tables to accommodate experts during weather events, and rapidly growing communities plan for growth with extra desks. And, depending on needs, space, and budget, some organizations do order one desk per employee. Once we know how many desks you need, we measure the space.
- Review Equipment
The desk is the centerpiece to your furniture system, so now we select a desk. Knowing how many desks need to fit in the space is key, but we also need to know that all your equipment fits on the desk. So we take an inventory: computer, keyboard, mouse, phone, radio, monitors, reference books, and the like. And we ask questions: Can the computers be hung under the desk or behind the monitors? How many monitors and what sizes? Can the monitors be stacked or do people also need to see screens on walls? Do you prefer straight desks, curved desks, or a combination? Can you predict future technology needs such as more and larger monitors? Based on the number of desks, the space available, the equipment to accommodate, and preferences, we select the desks.
- Consider All Furniture Needs
The beauty of a furniture system is that all the pieces work together, fit together, and look great together. Xybix often provides under-desk mobile lockers, lazy Susan bookshelves for reference books, personal and wall-size filing cabinets, meeting tables, coffee and break station furniture, and more that complement the desks and complete the space. The last thing you want to do is design—or redesign—a new workspace and then realize that existing pieces or pieces from another vendor just don’t work. With a Xybix system, you know that the lockers will fit under the desks ordered, for example.
- Think About Communications
Furniture systems go beyond the desk in other ways as well. Xybix helps improve communication with status indicator lights that make it obvious who is available at any given time. These optional lights are seamlessly integrated into the desks, and they can be as simple as flipping an on/off switch or as sophisticated as you need (maybe tied into the radio and phone system so it knows when you’re on a call or able to indicate multiple statuses such as on a call but need assistance). In addition to status indicator lights, Xybix also works with customers to improve communications through the layout of the furniture system. For dispatch customers, how your team communicates during a live shooter event impacts how the room is to be laid out. For example, some dispatch centers prefer the supervisor to be in the middle.
- Control Noise, Light & Temperature
When you survey employees about their jobs, three pain points rise to the surface: noise, lighting (or lack thereof), and temperature. In 911 centers, it’s critical to have good acoustics so recordings of the calls are clear. Background noise is not your friend. Few people love noisy work environments, but the rest is personal—it’s too dim, too bright, too hot, too cold. Xybix furniture systems work to solve noise with panel systems that complement the desks while providing a little privacy as a side benefit. Our designers also help customers control sound with carpeting and advise them on other strategies. (Even plants absorb sound!) Options on Xybix desks allow users to personalize their lighting and temperature, and even save those settings for quick access. Why is heating or cooling important? Because uncomfortable employees make errors. And some rooms are required to remain cold due to the technology in that room.
- Create the Ideal Layout for the Space
The magic of a furniture system really comes to life when the designer creates the layout. At Xybix, a degreed and experienced designer stays with your project, putting the puzzle pieces together in a way that is both pleasing and productive. Considerations include everything from sightlines and ADA compliance to electrical and fire codes. Plus, the designer will work with you on colors for paint, desks, panels, carpet, etc., to create a timeless look that reinforces branding or evokes a specific mood. Once the layout of the entire furniture system is in place, the designer provides 2D floorplans and 3D renderings that allow you to really experience the space. Because the whole system needs to work for your organization, your designer is at the ready to tweak the plans until you’re satisfied.
- Manufacture and Install Your Custom System
Whew! Once all the plans are approved and the financial payment is in order, Xybix custom manufacturers your entire furniture system. Depending on the complexity of the project, this usually takes a couple months, as we create the furniture, panels, and more that perfectly fit the space. During manufacturing, we work with you to prep the space so it’s ready for installation—even for a live cutover. Finally, our expert installers arrive on site to put everything in its place, provide training, and answer questions. As your organization grows and changes, Xybix is ready to help you upgrade your furniture system as well.
Obviously, we’re proud of our furniture systems and our service at Xybix. But I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that we design and manufacture the gold standard in ergonomic sit-to-stand desks that are proven to enhance wellness and productivity.
Reach out to Xybix today for more information on our furniture systems.
