If you have ever bought a new house, you know that the house comes basically as a shell. Without knowing it, this probably means that you'll be getting carpet in your kitchen and laminate flooring throughout. As for the carpet, you'll get the choice a hideous shade of gray or an even worse shade of what they call "beige" and a lackluster carpet pad that might as well be non-existent. Anything that would be included and installed as “standard” is often the cheapest of the cheap. You'll have to expand your budget or subtract some common features if you’re even going to start thinking about doing things like changing the paint color or adding hardwood floors. All the sudden that dream home you'd visioned is looking a bit more cloudy.

Customization Costs Money

By now, you probably get my drift. You buy the shell of a house, and everything you want and need in order to create your dream home is going to cost you a pretty penny. This realization is definitely a letdown.

Let’s say you want hardwood floors throughout your kitchen and living room (like most people) for ease of cleaning and for that high-end look. Well, the builder knows that you (like most people) want these features in your new house, so when it comes down to picking out your new home design finishes and additions, they know right where to gouge you! They’ll tell you that hardwood flooring will be X amount of money, and if you want more than one color option or style, that’ll cost you even more. Unfortunately, they have you hook, line, and sinker because they know you’ll pay for it.

How Does This Relate to Dispatch Consoles?

Now let’s relate this to dispatch consoles. There are several consoles available on the market today, and I caution you to not just pay attention to what is considered the standard design (the shell). You’ll be much more satisfied in the end if you also pay attention to what is NOT included.

A basic design will probably land you a console with height adjustability, but what about a monitor platform for focal-depth adjustment, a data port for easy USB access, or climate controls with heating and cooling, etc.? It’s the little things that make a big difference, and just like when buying a new home, these small additions will cost you a ton of extra money if you’re not careful. Remember, what sounds like a good deal, probably doesn't include those features you really wanted. 

Think Ahead

The point I’m trying to make is that you shouldn’t be blinded by the fact you’re getting a new house or console, so be sure to consider the features you know you’ll want in the end. Will they be extra? What features or additions should you consider up front before making that purchase? If you add them on, how much will it cost? What comes standard? Do all models come already equipped with the same of the bells and whistles?

In the end, make your decision based on your budget, your needs, and what you really want out of your purchase. Ask the questions! You’ll be glad that you did.