Lynn Robinson, Western Regional Sales Manager for Aurora Mobile & Shelving, notes that in her opinion, companies needing to consolidate space are looking up and going on the move. "For example, a company closing two offices and consolidating into the remaining one is very interested in using space more effectively by using high-density storage that uses the vertical space. And, with a mobile system, you can use aisle space more effectively."

Robinson adds that a slow economy is slowing record digitizing because of the expense. "They don't want to throw money at unknowns right now; and it's not a strongly enough proven technique yet," she says. "Besides, people still are more comfortable keeping hard copies even after they make the change to an electronic record."

On the modular side, emphasizes Hamilton Sorter's Brad Quick, "We walk clients through the total value of a modular solution and the true costs of millwork. Ease of installation, less cleanup and ability of the product to adapt as needs change all add value...the product has a modular design that allows you to replace all parts, extending product life.

"We have had to adapt by broadening our product offering to compete in the healthcare and educational markets. There has been a surge in modular caseworks product sales mainly due to large projects in the healthcare field-patient rooms, pharmacies, operating rooms and exam/procedure rooms."

Robinson concurs that there are new opportunities. "Schools have a designated area for textbook storage, often using mobile storage systems, as well as band instrument and sports equipment storage. In local government there is now an ever increasing need for evidence storage, as well as racks for storing weapons for police departments and armories," she notes.

Further driving the popularity of high-density, mobile and modular are increasing awareness and understanding of what these systems can do, plus some opportunities to go green.

By addressing design and space planning issues around storage, not just for individual workstations but the facility as a whole, planners become more attuned to optimizing its use. Robinson stresses that, "Information (files) is the lifeblood of the system, and should be given paramount consideration when planning space. Form follows function. You need to figure out what your needs are, then design the solution to handle it."

Quick says that education and green trends have combined to make modular casework a higher priority in the architecture and design community as well as among facility managers. Hamilton Sorter currently offers GREENGUARD® certified modular casework.

Robinson says green comes into play with new construction versus reconfigurations: "They're trying to get green certification. Yes, they're going to ask about recyclable content, VOC's, etc."

There are opportunities in every economic environment. Today, smart space planning coupled with use of efficiency-optimizing products are creating new lifeblood in the storage solutions industry.

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