Types Of Office Equipment You Should Know

There are a lot of things that go into an office. One can never have too many supplies, and this is especially true if you own your own business or work for a company with strict standards. From the staples to the pens to the paperclips, every single thing can be used as a way to make your workspace more efficient or organized - and if you're missing one of these items in particular, you will start feeling it right away.

That's why we've compiled this list of a range of essential office equipment that any modern-day office needs!

Office Furniture

Tables

When it comes to office furniture, the first thing you're going to need is a table. This can be for more than one purpose! It can act as a work station for any employee or an area where business meetings can occur.

There's also conference tables with high-quality padding if your company hosts many events outside of the office and wants to ensure the comfort of its guests.

Desks

Of course, you can't have tables without desks! You've got to have a desk for every single person who works in your office, and it should be big enough for them to work comfortably but small enough that they don't take up too much room.

Desks are also great for placing items on and keeping them organized, like a cubicle wall shelf or an under-desk storage box.

Storage– Desks are also good because they give you plenty of extra room to store anything else you need! If your company gives employees their own desks, you can put up shelving on the side where it's convenient for your employees to access.

If you use conference tables, you can hang cubicle wall shelving above the table so people have an easy place to put their drinks and snacks.

chairs

No matter what type of furniture you decide to buy for your office, you're definitely going to need chairs.

There are several different kinds of chairs that can be used in the workplace, and usually it's a good idea to have a mix of all types so people aren't limited by where they can sit! You'll want rocking chairs, wooden chairs, padded armchairs, office-style chairs and stools.

These will go well with the other furniture you'll need, like a reception chair that people can sit on while they're waiting to be attended to!

Business Machineiling cabinets

Sometimes you'll need more than the storage space on your desks, so that's where filing cabinets come in! While it's probably a good idea to have plenty of drawers and shelves for storing documents closer to desk height, you're also going to want high filing cabinets that employees can use for extra room.

These are especially useful if your company has a lot of employees, as you can combine higher-level documents, like performance reviews or product reports, with the more common forms and papers.

Shelving

While desks are good for storing things on the desk itself, sometimes you need to get your storage up a bit higher - that's where cubicle wall shelving comes in.

This can be used to store anything from laptops and storage boxes to decorations for your office! It can even be divided into different sections so employees have a place to put their lunches or snacks, so they're not either thrown in the trash or spread out all over the break room.

Lighting

No matter what your company does, you're going to need lighting! Whether it's fluorescent lamps or bright LED lights, your employees are going to want a good source of light for their work.

While you'll likely provide them with desk lamps to place wherever they choose, there will be times when they need to get up and walk around the room. It's a good idea to have table lamps in every room to allow them that freedom.

Business Machine Accessories

Printers

Printers are used to produce hard copies of text or graphics, and they are an essential part of most offices.

Other common accessories include documentation scanners, facsimile machines, card readers and barcode scanners. These allow you to scan large amounts of data into a computer system quickly and accurately.

Fax machines

Fax machines are also used to send documents via telephone lines and are often connected to computer networks.

Photocopier

A photocopier is a device that stores images electronically by using special paper. It is then possible to make multiple copies of the document using it by pressing buttons or simple commands on a screen.

Scanners

Scanners store images electronically as well, but they do this by converting physical objects into digital information. It is possible to then use the document or image in other ways such as putting it on the web or printing it out.

Other common accessories include shredders and suction cup boards which are devices used for holding documents and increasing organization.

Computer Accessories

Computer accessories are small devices that are used to enhance the functionality of a computer system. They may be permanently attached, plug into the computer or work wirelessly.

The following is a list of common computer accessories:

Storage Accessories

External storage devices include hard disks, magneto-optical disks and flash drives.

Another common accessory is the memory card reader which stores data on memory cards such as Compact Flash (CF), MMC, Memory Stick and Secure Digital (SD).

Modems are used to connect a computer to telephone lines via a Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) or an ISDN line.

Other accessories include audio adapters, video cards, network interface adapters and modems.

Input Devices: Keyboards & Mice

The keyboard is the main input device used with computers.

It is usually used to enter text or tell the computer what to do by pressing buttons that perform specific tasks.

The mouse is another common input device that is used to control the pointer on a screen by moving it around and pressing buttons.

Other common accessories include barcode readers, biometric scanners, printers, graphic tablets and webcams.

Display Accessories

Displays (or computer monitors) are used to view the output of a computer.

They are also called visual display units and they come in different sizes, resolutions and colors.

The input devices described above can be connected directly to a video splitter which is an accessory that distributes the signal from one or more video sources to multiple video displays.

A television can also be connected to a computer using an accessory known as the composite video signal, which takes an analogue signal from a VGA port and changes it into one that is used in ordinary TVs.

Other display accessories include speaker systems and projectors which are devices that enlarge output images onto walls or screens with light.

Art/Office Supplies

Office supplies

Office supplies include items such as pens, pencils, rulers and tape measures.

These are used for everyday tasks in an office but they can also be used to make artwork or display information about an organization.

Artistic media

A wide range of artistic media is available for use by artists and designers including markers, crayons, pastel sticks, watercolors, acrylics and paints.

Other office/art supplies include stencils, rub-on letters and stamps which are often used to create decorative designs on things like envelopes or gift cards.

Frequently Asked Questions

- What are the different types of office equipment?

Office equipment is a range of things that offices will often have and use. Office equipment can either be used for everyday tasks, art or office supplies. There are many different types of office equipment such as printers, fax machines, scanners and photocopiers.

- How much does it cost to start an office for home use?

To start an office at home with the essentials, take in to account the space available, specialized needs and budget. Typical costs for equipment run from about $300 up to thousands of dollars. Some items, such as a computer, are often shared with other family members. Some businesses run their offices from home without any specialized equipment and basic supplies may cost $100 per year or less.

- What is an input device?

An input device is a piece of equipment that allows you to give information to a computer. Common examples include joysticks, keyboards and mice.

- What type of material should be used to cover floors in an office setting?

The type of material depend on what the office is used for. For a company with employees, it would be best to purchase carpet for example that is made from a durable material that adds noise reduction. If you work in an art studio and are an artist, high quality hardwood or marble tile may not be a good idea because you don't want paint to seep through if something spills.

Conclusion

Office equipment, accessories and supplies are all essential to any office. The type of material used for floors in an office setting can depend on what the business is using it for or whether it's a home-based operation. We hope this article has given you some ideas about which types of equipment would be best suited to your needs!