Five Top Tips For Lightening The Office Gloom

April 12, 2011 · Recycling, a bit of fun, office environment, office supplies, stationery · Comments Off

Okay, so you’re thinking how can stationary possibly change the desk dynamic? There’s always going to be drawling silence that only the photocopier manages to break. Or the humdrum lady who enjoys sharing the most interesting photographs of her offspring, wearing a coating of chocolate, on different climbing apparatus in the park. Well at least it’s better than hearing about your male supervisor’s divorce that he just can’t come to terms with whilst trying to avoid the stale whiskey from his breath that circulates the confined space every time the fan chooses to direct gusts into your face. Well, by bringing some colour and contrast to the situation you can leave the Monday feeling strictly for Mondays.

Here, I have conjured up a list of essential stationary do’s and don’ts when spicing up your stationary so you can become the ray of sunshine that slowly tans a smile onto your colleagues’ pale faces.

DO invest in some funky stationary.

Colour is the key here, the bolder and brighter the better. Think rainbow pens which you can lend to the duller of your colleagues which will make for some cheerful note taking. Plus, the vibrant colours ensure they won’t get lost as easily as the regular ball point option. You could even go green, in the eco (and colour) sense, with DGOS as they have an abundance of recycled stationery that covers every category of the colour chart, so you’ll be helping the environment whilst watching everyone go green with envy at your new purchases.

DON’T copy off your colleagues.

Be original! Bring in your original office supplies and before you can say “stationary cupboard” you’ll have everyone chatting to each other rather than cursing at their monitors. Try to bring in interesting stationary that aren’t run of the mill. Never forget a message again with these neon pink and purple pads.

DO have a large clock visible to all involved.

Refrain from chewing your rainbow pens by clock watching instead! Everyone’s guilty of it so why deny it anymore? Plus, it helps you to prioritise your workload more efficiently if you have constant track of the time.

DON’T be surprised if your stationary starts to go missing.

We all know how irritating it is when we can’t place a vital piece of equipment and then it “appears” on your colleague’s desk. An investment into furniture, cabinets and padlocks could curb wandering possessions and reduce the expenditure on replacing equipment.

DON’T use your new stapler as a weapon.

This manoeuvre could undo all the magical stationary dust that has been sprinkled over your newly revitalised work mates. Also, it won’t go down well with a health and safety assessor.

All things said and done, a revamp of your working environment could really give the atmosphere a lift and maybe even spark a whole new passion for work! Fair enough, we’re not promising miracles, but a touch of colour and variety could add some fun and happiness and who wouldn’t want that?

The Solar Powered Calculator Was Just The Beginning…

April 4, 2011 · Recycling, news, office environment, office politics · Comments Off

The Solar Powered Calculator was just the beginning…

Our good friends (and renewable energy experts) at Solarlec have kindly written a guest blog for us about solar power in the 21st Century. We hope you’re as surprised and intrigued as we were when we first read it!

solar powered calculatorThe first solar powered calculator was released in 1976 by Sharp. Catchily named the EL-8026 this trailblazer featured solar panels on the back of the calculator and was considerably less efficient or indeed practical than the solar calculators we’re accustomed to today. Although cumbersome, expensive and prone to power-outage on cloudy days or at night – the EL-8026 opened the door to a huge host of sunshine fuelled devices and new applications for photovoltaics (solar panels or solar cells to you and I).

portable solar charger

Sticking with the pocket sized end of the solar powered spectrum there are now an abundance of items which allow you to harness the power of sunlight to charge small electronic devices including mobile phones, PDAs and even netbooks and laptops. A modern portable solar charger is able to convert natural light (not necessarily just direct blazing sunlight) into usable battery charge. Developments in photovoltaic technology allow you to fully charge a spent phone battery in a couple of hours- even if it’s overcast outside. As well as being incredible useful whilst camping or caught without access to mains electricity, portable solar chargers save on the cost of using electricity from the grid and are entirely without carbon consequence for each new charge.

domestic solar panels

When this concept and principle are scaled up, so are the benefits. A decent sized home solar panel installation allows you to reap the positives of the portable charger on a considerably grander scale and with a significant positive impact on your finances. An average sized domestic solar panel system is capable of producing around 1400kWh/year. To put this into context, a standard laptop computer used for 10 hours a day, 365 days a year will generally use less than 200kWh/year – allowing those who work from home to genuinely boast of carbon neutrality…and of course benefit from energy overheads in and around the zero mark. Courtesy of the UK government’s Feed in Tariff scheme, those who opt to have domestic solar panels fitted to their home will also receive money for every unit of electricity they produce (whether they use it or not) – ultimately resulting in a net profit on the outlay for the solar panels in a short period of time.

google solar panels

The cost-effective scalability of solar power extends far beyond even the realms of roof fitted domestic systems. In 2007 internet giant Google invested in one of the largest solar panel installations in the United States. Later in that year they released some statistics showing just how much power their solar panels were producing on average per day. The fascinating results showed that per day they generated enough energy through photovoltaics to run a flat screen television for 5366 hours or perform 402 dishwasher cycles.

So whether you’re simply in the market for a new calculator, looking to make a modest investment or brainstorming on how to power a vast office complex don’t neglect the solar power option!

Health and Safety in the Workplace

February 21, 2011 · office environment · Comments Off

RSI Officehttp://www.officesuppliesinfo.co.uk/wp-admin/post-new.php

Computers have quickly become an essential part of the workplace. There’s no doubting the positive impact that they’ve had upon efficiency and the ease with which some tasks are performed- but there are Health and Safety rules and regulations which users may well not know exist.  These regulations have been enforced due the ever increasing number of employees that have to use a computer or visual display unit to complete their daily tasks in the office.

There are two main areas in which employers need to understand injuries may occur. These are damage to employee’s eyes and RSI (repetitive straining injuries).  The latter normally happens when their work environment has not been set up correctly. This can be related to the desk, chair or the keyboard and mouse which are used. These regulations apply to the employee when working at home also.  Wherever an employee’s workstation is, there are a few guidelines which employees can follow to avoid injury; these are:

  • Keep a good posture whilst working.

Have the chair adjusted to the correct position so that it is comfortable for the employee to work, also adjust the visual display unit, so that it is at eye level.  Enable enough room for the employee to move freely under the desk, making sure that their feet can touch the floor. In cases where their feet cannot touch the floor a footrest may be required.

  • Ensure that there is enough space for the employee to move freely at the workstation.

Encourage the employee to try different layouts of their workstation to find the most comfortable one, which is most suited to their needs.  Their workstation should be spacious enough for all of the equipment that they are going to use; mouse, keyboard, visual display unit, etc…  The layout should reduce the amount of pressure on neck and eye movements.  The workstation should be well lit to prevent the employee’s eyes straining.  However the visual display units should be arranged to avoid glare and or bright reflections.   If the visual display units have to face the window or a bright light then an anti-glare screen protector should be used to cover the screens.

There is however a regulation that many employees are unaware of and that is that they are entitled to a break when using the computer.  This regulation dictates that the employee can take fifteen minutes for every two hours working at the computer workstation.  It is more beneficial for the employee to plan their work so that they incorporate breaks into their work schedule; however if there are no “natural” breaks then it is up to the employer to plan their employee’s breaks.

If you work with a computer or visual display unit on a regular basis you have the right to a free eye test – it is the responsibility of the employee to book an appointment and they should make sure that they speak to their employer before doing so.

There are a wide range of aids and devices designed to minimise the risk of eye-strain, RSI and other potential office ailments and injuries. Visit DG Office Supplies if you’d like to find out more.

How do I find the best courier for my company?

February 4, 2011 · news, office environment · Comments Off

Parcel

Choosing the right courier is key for any ecommerce company.  If your using the wrong one chances are you’re charging your customer too much in delivery charges and your customer service lines are clogged up with “Where’s the Stapler I ordered?” style queries.  You need make sure you’ve chosen well.  Here are a few questions that I think are worth asking:

Do they need next day?

It’s all very well promising next day tracked delivery to a customer but if the item is really none essential why not give them the option to wait a few days? A courier like city link will get your stapler and staples delivered next day for say £5 + VAT but if it’s not business essential why not give them the option for 2 – 3 days and use Royal Mail’s considerably cheaper tracked solution?

Are you sending out lightweight items at a heavy item rate?

Couriers like Parcel Force, City Link and TNT to some degree are all set up for large parcels over 5 kilos.  They charge accordingly. Why not look at Home Delivery Network or Royal Mail if your items are lightweight?  Royal Mail offer rates in the area of £2.50 for tracked deliveries to even the small end user just as long as the items you send out are lightweight.

Hidden Charges

Always look out for hidden charges.  Redelivery charges can be a killer – if the collection depot is out in the middle of nowhere your customer is going to be complaining.  Do they charge a lot extra for the privilege of delivering on a Saturday?  Do they give free packaging?

Mix and Match

Send your small items out via one courier and the larger out through another maximizing the best rates from both.  Give the customer the option if they want it next day or 2 – 3 days service at a lower rate.

Don’t be afraid to change courier

Many people stick with the same courier as they are used to using them.  They don’t like the change.  This could well cost them money in the long run.  Amazon is a fantastic example of this.  They give the customer the choice of delivery methods wherever possible and use a good mix of Royal Mail, HDN, Fed Ex.

Ask for a trial

Couriers are all fighting against each other for YOUR custom.  Ask to trial there delivery services for 3 months and send a few of your normal goods out with them.

In conclusion don’t be afraid to review your current courier every 3 months or so, as their competitors rates are likely to be constantly changing.

Guest post by Paul Lee on behalf of DG Office Supplies

Is it Time to Update Your Printing Equipment?

January 26, 2011 · office environment, office politics, office supplies · Comments Off

Multi-functional Inkjet Printer

In this digital age it is common knowledge that minimising the amount you print is something to aspire to. With emails replacing faxes and documents generally being created and shared without ever involving the intervention of a pen, business in general is shifting towards the paperless dream. It is however unavoidable that paper is still an integral tool in almost all office environments and that photocopies and printouts are essential in some cases.

As well striving to use as little paper and ink as possible (for both financial and environmental reasons) it is important that businesses also ensure that when they do print things out; that they do so in the most efficient manner possible. Recycled paper and the recycling of printer ink cartridges are a vital step towards sustainable and cost effective printing but it doesn’t end there: the printer itself can make a huge contribution to not only the cost of printing a document in terms of consumable usage but also in terms of energy efficiency. Although frivolous replacement of perfectly serviceable and effective equipment should be avoided – it is sometimes the case that an investment in more up to date hardware is the best way to go.

Energy Star is an initiative which serves to promote energy efficiency in electrical devices. If a device complies with Energy Star guidelines it will generally boast a blue badge to attest to this, and as well as boasting an attractive sticker – these devices reduce the amount of energy you use compared to similar machines. Energy Star is however just a guideline, a more impressive consideration is that technology has developed so quickly that many devices which are on the market today offer power savings between 20 and 30% compared to their counterparts of 2 years ago. If the printer you’ve been using is 15 years old then just consider how much less power a new device will require in order to do the same job!

In order to further reduce electricity usage by your office printing equipment it is often worth looking at multi-functional devices. As opposed to having separate scanners, printers and photocopiers plugged in all day; consider a multi-functional device. Multi-functional printers are incredibly affordable to buy, utilise modern ink efficient systems and replace 3 plugs in the wall with just one. Not only do these all-in-one printers mean you’re powering one piece of equipment rather than three – they also often use less electricity than any given one of the machines they replace.

Many modern printers don’t even require a computer in order to print. The energy consumption of even modern laptops can be expensive, investment in a printer which is able to print directly from memory cards of USB flash drives can do away with the need to turn a computer on just to print a document – and also save a great deal of time.

Modern printing equipment is leagues ahead of that produced more than 5 years ago and given the lower cost of purchase and ink replacement, these machines pay for themselves considerably faster than many realise; whilst also helping to reduce a company’s carbon footprint without compromising on practicality.

A Blast from the Past (Memory but not ‘that’ kind)

January 18, 2011 · office environment, office supplies · Comments Off

Okay, this may be a slightly ‘geeky subject’ but I enjoyed compiling this and hope you enjoy reading it!…

Computers are indisputably an integral part of not only modern business but modern life in general. Although the internet is an excellent tool for the sharing of information and media through email, file sharing services and Peer 2 Peer- physical media is essential for the distribution and safe storage of files of all sorts. Much like the computers themselves, media storage devices and methods have developed in line with technological progress and are consistently growing in terms of memory capacity, flexibility and speed whilst decreasing in physical size.

In honour of the often underappreciated world of recordable media we’ve taken a look at the changes this industry has undertaken from its first incarnation for personal use through to the modern day:

The Floppy Disk

Storage capacity (formatted) – From 79.7kb (8 inch 1971) up to 200mb (3 ½ inch 1999)

Year of commercial launch- 1971

The floppy disk ruled the roost for almost three decades; from its initial 8 inch form unveiled by IBM in 1971 through to the 3 ½ inch sized floppy which dominated until the late 1990s. The floppy disk had no substantial competition for the majority of its time and despite challenges from formats such as the Iomega Zip Drive; remained the most popular form of data storage and an essential piece of office equipment until the recordable compact disk became affordable enough to become its successor. The floppy disk is now virtual obsolete with floppy disk drives (FDDs) absent for new computers. It is however possible to get external USB floppy disk drives if nostalgia kicks in.

CD-R and CD-RW

Storage capacity- 650mb-870mb

Year of commercial launch- 1988/90

The appropriate hardware required for saving to a Recordable CD or CD-R was initially prohibitively expensive to the extreme. In 1990 for instance the most affordable means of writing to a CD came in at around £25,000 for a hugely bulky piece of equipment. It was a further 5 years until the first CD recorder available for under $1000US was made available. From that point however, the hardware rapidly became more affordable until the point where CD-Rs and their re-writable counterparts overtook floppy disks as the storage medium of choice before the end of the 21st century. The major benefit of the recordable CD compared to the floppy disk was a combination of the considerably larger storage capacity and compatibility with audio and video CD players. The launch of the CD-RW secured the usurping of the floppy disk as it offered a re-writable alternative to the conventional CD-R and in doing so served to rectify the recordable CD’s major perceived flaw (that it could
only be recorded onto once).

The recordable CD grew to such an extent (not least due to the advent of file sharing websites allowing users to download music from the internet and create their own audio CDs) that in 2001 sales of recordable CDs outstripped recorded CDs for the first time (182 million compared to 172 million). This dominance continued to grow until the recordable DVD came along and things got a little more interesting.

This part of the story is a little less clean cut than the previous instalment, not least because the CD-R is still with us (unlike the floppy disk for the most part). Despite the continued usage of CD-Rs and CD-RWs they are no longer the most prevalent means of removable data storage, that accolade is divided between a number of different types of media. It is fair to say however, that the rightful successor to the recordable CD is the recordable DVD given the close similarities between the two forms and that the CD compatible DVD reader/recorder is to be found in the vast majority of modern computers.

Recordable DVD

Storage capacity- 4.7GB-8.5GB

Year of commercial launch- 1997

The DVD was first unveiled in Japan in 1996 as a medium for pre-recorded video and the concept was gradually rolled out internationally. In 1997 Pioneer developed the DVD-R format which began the process of bringing home recording to the masses. The major upside of the DVD over the CD is the considerably more substantial memory capacity, whilst the standard CD can store 700MB of information; the standard DVD is capable of storing 4.71GB. This marked difference in capacity is well demonstrated by their different uses in the entertainment industry, i.e.: the CD is used for music whilst the DVD caters for video.

The recordable DVD is useful for backing up data, transferring large files and also converting and storing films and computer games for use in other DVD compatible devices. Despite the availability of re-writable DVDs however, it is by no means the most popular form of portable data storage for day to day use.

USB Flash Drive

Storage capacity- 8MB (2000) 64MB-256GB (Present day)

Year of commercial launch- 2000

The USB or Universal Serial Bus is a means of communication between a computer and all manner of peripherals and other devices. This small, rectangular port serves as a way to connect a mouse or keyboard to a computer as well as serving as a power source and means of data connection for a whole host of external devices. One of the most simple and common of these devices is the USB flash drive.

The very first USB flash drives were launched in 2000 and offered storage capacity up to 8MB,the capacity of top end flash drives today is up to 256GB: showing an absolutely vast growth in the industry. The device, also known as the pen drive is the closest replacement to the floppy disk, in that it is simply inserted-the data transferred-then it is removed, whereas the CD and DVD tend to take longer to complete the saving process. Flash memory is now present in a whole host of other portable items which require data storage.

The Modern Face of Portable Media Storage

New means of experiencing media such as the IPod, MP3 and MP4 player have brought about a serious shift in the world of portable data storage. This change is also highly reliant upon the USB port found in all modern computers. Not only do we now have the option to plug in a small device and quickly transfer information onto it for storage purposes, but also to transfer files directly from a computer onto a personal entertainment device which ultimately means that a huge number of the devices we use for portable data storage, double up as autonomous devices in their own right…a huge leap indeed from the 8 inch floppy disk.



Top Ten Eco-Friendly Office Products

November 24, 2010 · office environment, office supplies · Comments Off

1- Canon Bright Recycled  Paper

Canon Bright Recycled Paper

Canon are renowned for their printers and consumables, with their Bright Recycled Paper range they can confidently add recycled paper to that list. This high quality 80gsm paper is made from 100% reclaimed paper waste and produces brilliant results on all office machines. Available in A3 and A4 sizes this paper is perfect for general printing as well as important presentations and reports.

2- Basildon Bond Recycled Envelopes

Recycled Envelopes

Whether for home or office use, these versatile envelopes are available in white or manila and feature peel and seal fastening. Not only is the paper used 100% recycled, but the viewing window is made from corn as opposed to petrochemical plastic meaning less impact on the environment in production and a biodegradable end product which can be processed as paper recycling waste.

3-      Ecolabel Recycled Paper Barrel Flipchart Markers

Recycled Flipchart Markers

These flipchart marker pens from the appropriately named Ecolabel use water-based ink as opposed to the harmful, solvent based alternatives. In addition to an ecologically sound ink, the barrels of the pens are made from recycled paper which has been treated to offer maximum durability and practicality.

4-      Scotch Natural Fibre Film Magic Tape

Natural Fibre Tape

Scotch Natural Fibre Film Magic Tape is one of the most environmentally aware sticky tape products available. The core is made from 100% recycled cardboard, the dispenser is made from 100% recycled plastic and the tape itself is manufactured using natural fibres as opposed to petrochemicals. This eco-friendly tape is even sold in 100% recycled cardboard packaging (without plastic film) and both the packaging and core can be recycled when the tape runs out.

5-      Colop Green Line Word Stamp

Colop Green Line Stamp

This stamp certainly gets our seal of approval. Manufactured from 80% plus recycled plastics, this self-inking stamp is made with eco-awareness in mind. The ink pad provides literally thousands of crisp impressions and the packaging is 100% recycled, uncoloured cardboard.  The only aspect of this item which isn’t ‘green’ is the colour of the ink…which is red for maximum visibility.

6-      Rapid Eco Tacker

Rapid Eco Tacker

Also referred to as a ‘staple gun’ this environmentally ethical Tacker from Rapid’s Eco range is manufactured using 80% recycled plastic. Available in a range of sizes for hobby use through to industrial application, all models are shipped in 100% recycled cardboard with soy based ink printing – which mirrors the sustainable nature of the item itself.

7-      Jiffy Green Bubble Wrap

Jiffy Green Bubble Wrap

Bubble wrap and packaging materials in general tend to illicit concern from environmental circles due to the waste they tend to produce. With their Green Bubble Film, Jiffy successfully address this by utilising 100% recycled polythene. Suitable for all forms of cushioning, wrapping and void filling – this recycled material provides maximum protection with minimum environmental impact.

8-   Aurora EcoCalc Calculator

Aurora EcoCalc

The EcoCalc is one of the most environmentally friendly pieces of electrical equipment on the market. With a recycled plastic keyboard, zero air miles travelled and 90% recycled packaging you won’t find a more eco-ethical calculator anywhere. In addition to the green credentials of the item and its packaging, the use of solar cells for power mean that this calculator from Aurora doesn’t impact on the planet when used either.

9-      Concord Half Flap Document Wallets

Concord Document Wallets

With their Half Flap Document Wallets, Concord offer the perfect storage receptacle for all of those vital documents (printed on recycled paper we hope). Made from heavyweight, 285 gsm, 100% recycled cardboard these rugged folders help to preserve both the planet and your important paperwork.

10-   5 Star Compatible Inkjet Cartridges

5 Star Inkjet Cartridges

Remanufactured from empty OEM printer cartridges, these compatible inkjet cartridges consist of 70-90% recycled materials and components by weight. In addition to offering a low cost alternative to ‘official’ branded ink cartridges and a high proportion of recycled materials they are packaged in R-PET blister packs which contain up to 80% recycled plastic. All cartridges comply with the European REACH regulations (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) to assure protection of the environment in manufacture of all parts and materials.

The Cards Are On the Table

October 19, 2010 · office environment, office politics, stationery · Comments Off

Print Your Own Business Cards

The business card is something of an institution, as ingrained in corporate culture as the tie or briefcase. Despite an increasing shift towards a paperless business environment, the business card’s only concession to the advance of digital technology is that they now often feature an email address and website. The arrogance of this most compact of stationery items is however entirely justified. There’s no realistic alternative when it comes to a means of passing on contact details as and when required.

In addition to serving as a sleek and effortless way to impart your full array of contact numbers, addresses, web addresses and of course name and job title to anyone and everyone, the business card also represents a great deal more. As satirised in Bret Easton Ellis’ infamous novel American Psycho: the business card is on many levels something of a status and style symbol. From the choice of font, through to the thickness of the card and of course the colour and design featured on the card, there are multitudinous factors which contribute to the overall look, feel and finish of a high quality business card.

It’s fair to say that rather than just letting the card recipient know how to contact you, the business card also acts as a representative of both the individual and their brand. A well thought out and executed business card should entice contact and exude professionalism – particularly if you represent an organisation which operates in the design industry or a related field. In short, your business card speaks volumes about who you are, what you do and the finesse with which you do it.

For the most part, companies will utilise a specialist design and print company in the production of their business cards and other branded stationery. The obvious upside here is that, these professionals will be highly experienced in creating eye-catching, effective and well produced business cards. On the downside, the exercise of outsourcing the production of business cards can be a costly and time consuming process – similarly, the majority of design and print companies will stipulate minimum orders by volume…and there aren’t that many of us who require 1000+ business cards, particularly as they are rendered useless in the event of a change in phone number, company logo or role.

A much more flexible option is to invest in business card packs which allow the user to design and print their own business cards. These packs generally include both the necessary software to put together your own business card layout and sheets of high quality, pre-cut card to print onto. Obviously at least a modicum of design flair comes in handy, but with common sense and an eye for detail it is possible to create top quality business cards as and when required. Not only is this option quicker and more affordable but also reduces waste and allows you to quickly change your contact details or any other aspect whenever you need to!

A Statement of Intent

October 15, 2010 · office environment, office supplies · Comments Off

DG Office Supplies are a company at the top of their game: expanding rapidly, exponentially growing their client base, furthering their presence both online and offline. In spite of this success and the ever growing collection of awards and accolades, this North West based company are not happy to just sit there and make money.

At the core of DG Office Supplies’ ethos is moral accountability and ethical activity. This mentality extends beyond just business and social ethics to embrace environmental awareness. Since their inception, DG Office Supplies have made a conscious effort to stock recycled items and environmentally friendly products. Their newly published Environmental Policy outlines their logic behind embracing environmentally sustainable office supplies and provides an overview of the ways in which they continue to strive to make recycled office supplies as popular as possible.

In addition to an incredibly diverse range of environmentally friendly office products, the company also run a toner and cartridge recycling scheme which not only minimises waste but also raises much needed funds for charity.

If you want great value office supplies which are also friendly on the planet, then make DG Business Supplies your first point of call.

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