When equipping and furnishing an office or workplace, certain items are almost always included in the collection of pieces for which one shops, irrespective of whether you require multiples of each piece or only a selection of single units.
A desk and office chair are probably uppermost on every shopper’s list, followed by a desktop computer (unless the desk’s occupant utilises a laptop or similar mobile device that’s suitable for business use), and a telephone. Excluding accessories, this more or less takes care of the most basic, yet vital workstation requirements that are directly “desk-bound”.
Usually positioned quite close to or in the general area, adjacent to the immediate desk area, the filing cabinet is the next most important item that fulfils an essential role, even in the 21st century’s so-called digital age.
The modern workplace is still far from being paperless. Accurate record-keeping and proper organisation and storage of printed paper files are still integral to modern business practice.
Despite the universal use of digital technology to create files and folders, which are likewise stored digitally, hard copy paper records and documents are still kept in filing cabinets, nowadays in the latest modern versions that grace the 21st century office.
If one mentions “modern filing cabinets”, it automatically differentiates these document storage units from older counterparts. Depending on age and provenance, old cabinets may be classified as very valuable antique pieces, highly sought-after by collectors throughout the world, which implies that filing cabinets – of all types and sizes – have been in and around offices in a variety of locations for a considerable time, as indeed, they have.
Record keeping is nothing new. The ancient Egyptians recorded whatever they considered noteworthy in hieroglyphs, principally carved into stone or noted on papyrus scrolls.
Most other ancient societies that had mastered some form of reading, writing and similar signage also kept records. Any person or group that was involved in activities with financial implications felt the need to record and keep copies of their communications, contracts, custom, and profits and losses, much like today.
By the 19th century, businesses had become more sophisticated and larger, mirrored by the number and extent of documents on hand, all requiring safe, secure, and functional storage systems, additionally making file and document retrieval practical, quick, and easy.
In 1886, an American inventor, Henry Brown, patented his creation, a horizontal filing cabinet. Twelve years later, compatriot Edwin G Seibels invented his enduring version, categorised as a vertical system, the basis for most of today’s paper storage systems in all types of offices – at home, in schools, colleges and universities, hospitals, government departments, corporate businesses and small enterprises – throughout the working world.
For 18 years, Quantum Office Furniture, based in Northmead, Benoni, has specialised in the provision of virtually every item you could possibly wish for in a well-equipped, modern workplace – top to bottom and side to side.
Combined, our team has extensive office furniture experience of more than 60 years duration, so our valued clients can shop at Quantum with confidence, knowing that we’re committed to establishing and maintaining a sound business relationship with them. We’re constantly focused on satisfying your office furniture needs.
Our current comprehensive range of filing cabinets and storage systems consists of:
All units with doors and drawers are fitted with locking systems.
There is but one place to shop for filing cabinets and every other item you require for a well-appointed office, and that’s Quantum, an office furniture supplier that also provides space planning, office design and layout services, plus professional installation.