Business equipment review
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Addressing Systems International Ltd, Rosedale Road, Richmond, Surrey.
This is claimed to be the smallest machine of its kind in the world. In use, the name and address is typed on a master label with a typewriter or ball-point pen. The selfadhesive label is fixed on to the record-keeping card and the address is transferred quickly and quietly on to any type of paper. Various kits are available at prices ranging from around £35 to £73, plus VAT.
Anyone wishing to modernise an office or, indeed, start from scratch to create a 1976 " scene," could usefully browse through one of the comprehensive catalogues issued by stationery and office equipment companies. The Ryman Group has branches throughout mainland UK.
Its catalogue contains everything from calculators/adding machines, to typewriters, intercom equipment, photocopying equipment, dictating machines, guillotines, rubber stamps, desk blotters, letter trays, filing systems and smart office furniture.
Most large stationery suppliers are agents for one or other of the drink dispensing machines so generally used in offices and transport depots.
A practical item for a traffic office is an illuminated magnifier lamp, ideal for map reading, such as that produced by Ledu Lamps Ltd, Whiteway Road, Queenborough, Kent. The magnifier is mounted on a spring-balanced arm so that the lens may be positioned horizontally, vertically, or at any desired angle to square it with the working surface.
One of the pleasures of keeping an office ilia to date is the variety of relatively inexpensive items available. As an example, Caribonum Sales Ltd, Bilton Way, Leicester Road, Lutterworth, supplies an automatic numbering and datestamping machine and a useful hand applicator for selfadhesive closure tape. Just the job for re-sealing cartons or parcels.
Typists may be interested to know that the same firm now supplies a correcting ribbon which incorporates an obliterat ing overlay along the length of the ribbon covering half its width. An error is corrected by back-spacing, using the bi-colour shift key, and overtyping.
Dictation equipment, apart from adding prestige to an office, has many practical advantages in these days of temporary office staff and part timers. The Phillips Minicassette Dictation System is a desk-top dictation/transcription machine, mains operated, which is available with a range of useful accessories such as a battery-powered PocketMemo, useful as a verbal jotter.
A range of modular shelving and filing systems is made by MM Bindings international, MM House, Sebastopol Road, Aldershot. One fitment, known as the MM Brush, is supplied with a choice of files for vertical storage. Any file can readily be removed and the remaining files are kept rigidly upright by the brush at the head of the cabinet.
The Trustmark Office Catalogue, issued by Trustmark Ltd, Cowbridge, Wales, is a mine of information on office sundries. It even contains illustrations of Home Cycling and Rowing Machines for keep-fit enthusiasts! Trustmark issue a "Which Calculator" supplement to help customers select the most appropriate equipment for their needs.
George Anson and Co Ltd, 255/259 High Road, Ilford, Essex, is well known as a maker of specialist filing and accounting systems. Of interest to car fleet operators is a new system of rotary files called Vistafile prepared in conjunction with the motor trade.
Although not in the category of office equipment the simplified costing system introduced by Howard, Packham and Associates (Consultants) Ltd, The Round House, Addlestone Road, Weybridge, Surrey, deserves mention here. The system has been introduced to help commercial vehicle operators under the heading: "Know Your Costs."
Subscribers receive preprinted booklets into which they insert information relating to vehicle overheads for anlysis by the consultants. The fees are very modest and the service would undoubtedly help many small operators.
" Haulaccount " is another HPA packaged system of bookkeeping which tells in simple language the operations necessary to run a haulage business from month to month, keeping all necessary accounting records.
With transport marketing a current "must," a range of leaflet holders and other personalised sales promotion aids is marketed by P. G. Wearing Ltd, Manor Way Industrial Estate, Old Woking, Surrey. Equipment of this kind would be a useful adjunct for any company introducing new services, whether in the haulage or bus field.
Any firm involved in training or management presentations could consider the use of the executive Flipchart System produced by Magiboards Ltd, 153 Clapham High Street, London, SW4. This is a portable kit in an aluminium container.
It can be used with a special Dri-marker (write on-wipe off) writing surface and pen; a considerable advance on the old-fashioned blackboard and chalk. Magiboard also manufacture a versatile magnetic wall board which could have a number of applications for the transport operator; servicing and maintenance planning, vehicle and driver availability information for instance.
MAT (Overseas) Ltd, use it to keep track of containers in transit between Japan and the United Kingdom. The equipment comprises two plain magnetic boards mounted on the office wall. Each container is represented by a plastic covered magnetic strip and the container information is written on the plastic upper side of this. The strip adheres firmly to the base board and is relocated as the container passes through the various customs and transport functions. Ford Motor Co Ltd, and Rolls-Royce Ltd, use similar wall boards in their training schools.
There are many makers of planning wall-charts and perhaps among the best known are those of Sasco Ltd, 27 Hastings Road, Bromley, Kent. Its well illustrated catalogue shows the huge range of charts available, many of which can readily be used for road transport maintenance, staff location, training and similar administrative requirements.
Another well-known chart maker is Movitex Signs Ltd, Adapta Chart Division, Movitex House, 107 High Street, Edgware, Middlesex. Among the transport applications is a useful pallet location chartboard, equally suitable for container location work.
Maintenance chart boards showing inspection due dates, date of last inspection etc, and staff location boards are well known Adapta lines.
The North Thames Gas Board uses a visual planning system by Typornaster Ltd, 547/551 High Road, London, Ell 4PS, for controlling 7,000 vehicles, monitoring location, garaging, maintenance, crash repairs, mileage and costs. Each vehicle is represented by a card which slots into the wall mounted visual planning board. Coloured " T " shaped cards denote the various categories of use or "off the road" conditions.
No survey of office aids would be complete without a brief mention of suppliers of