The way we buy...well just about anything, has changed. With websites offering quick service and simple shopping like Amazon, grocery delivery services like “Click-List” and of course there is Uber, there is no wonder why we've changed. We have all changed how we shop, buy and research products. Hello instant gratification! But what about those big purchases, a new car, a home or a vacation? Well, that part hasn’t changed much and neither has shopping for dispatch furniture.

There is quite a bit of consideration involved in finding the right dispatch furniture for your center or PSAP. Most buyers base their decisions on what will bring the most long-term wellness, what will bring the most monetary value, and what will look the best. Finding a company that will provide you with comfortable, beautiful, and durable dispatch furniture is key, and having the upfront process go smoothly is the icing on the cake. Other important things to think about are how you are covered after the purchase and how easy it is to find solutions to any issues that arise going forward.

The decision to purchase new ergonomic imaging desks should not merely be based on the cost of the desks. Oftentimes, you truly do get what you pay for, so picking the lowest costing desk shouldn’t be your only priority.

Will your signature be on the requisition when requesting a purchase order be issued for new ergonomic sit/stand imaging desks? If the answer is yes, I don’t have to tell you that you will be receiving complaints from your colleagues in many different departments if you select desks that are subpar.

There are several different avenues available for researching new dispatch furniture, and sorting through them all can often feel overwhelming. Depending on how your center makes this kind of purchase, you might have to collect three or more quotes, purchase off of a specific contract, or even go through a bid process. It’s also likely that a salesperson will visit your center with some literature and provide a proposal configuration.

Doing your own research during this time is critical, as it gives you as a buyer or an end user a good foundation to pinpoint your specific needs. One of the best ways to achieve this is by going on a field trip or Comm Center tour! Visiting neighboring centers or taking a tour at a national trade show are a couple of the most educational ways to explore furniture options, as you’ll get to see the furniture in person and ask the staff and representatives questions about their experience with it.

I just had a great conversation with one of Xybix’s longtime customers in Joliet, IL. I still remember our presentation with Joliet/Will County. Sometimes you just know right away that it is a great fit, and this was one of those times.  

What got me excited to write this blog is that the furniture in Joliet is now 10 years old, and according to the chief administrator who has been there the whole time, it still looks new. I found this out as we were discussing depreciation rates of the dispatch consoles. This falls into how long you should hold onto your dispatch furniture. Each center is going to see things differently. In this case, they are looking at the 12-year mark, and they may go to 15 if needed.  

NOTE: This blog discusses the Xybix warranty available through March 2021. Our new warranty, which applies to products purchased from the 2021 price list, provides even more protection. Going forward, we cover all parts, shipping, and labor for 10 years. All Xybix manufactured parts are warrantied for life; labor and shipping are covered for the first 10 years.

Xybix has been making big waves in the dispatch furniture world with its new Lifetime
Warranty. We wanted to take a minute to explain what this means to you as a customer and explain what is covered by this warranty. 

Let's start by saying that this warranty was designed to take care of YOU, the customer. We wanted to make it easy to understand and give you the level of service you deserve on an investment you've spent time and money on. Having a warranty that covers the untimely "Ut O" is as important to us as it is to you. So let's get to it here's what is included Xybix's Warranty for Dispatch Furniture:

“What is the lifetime of the product?” That is a question we get usually during the bid process. The answer is simple.  It is an arbitrary number of years the salesperson will tell you depending on how much they want to win the job. 

Really?  Yes, it is that simple.  Any salesperson can throw out a high number like they’re at an auction.  Some may say their design will hold up for 20 years while others will say they’re good for 100 years. They are safe doing this because, more than likely, the salesperson will move on to another job in the next few years, and in a few more years, you can almost bet that the staff at the center will have enough turnover they forget this claim entirely.

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.”

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 all have Moms and some of us are even Moms ourselves. After some time (and I'll admit, after my teenage years) it struck me, that maybe we should listen to our Moms a bit more often. So, I want you to close your eyes and think of a time when your Mom has told you to do something or maybe NOT to do something. There! Got it…? Now, with that in mind, read these helpful tips on how you can extend the life of your dispatch workstations.