End Tab Filing Systems:

Why should you convert to an end tab filing system?  Simple, it will help you save space and time.  This page examines the space requirements of end tab filing systems versus top tab systems.  It also examines how an end tabbed files combined with color coded file folder labels can reduce the time spent retrieving records.

Space

End tab filing is significantly more space efficient than  top tab.

Take advantage of vertical space.  With a drawer type file cabinet, the file folder label on the top tab of the folder.  Because of this, you can only go four or five drawers high.  If you had drawer any higher than the fifth level, it would be difficult for the average person to retrieve records from that drawer.  With a drawer filing system, the user not only has to be taller than the drawer that he or she is pulling from, but they also have to lean over the drawer to see the file folder labels.  With open faced adjustable shelving, you can go seven or eight levels high with the same sized person.

End Tab Shelving 7 Shelves High	Top Tab Cabinet 4 Drawers High

With this in mind, I would like to take a look at a 10' x 12' Room and compare the capacity of lateral filing cabinets, vertical filing cabinets and adjustable shelving.

Storage Capacity Comparison (10' x 12' Room) In Linear Filing Inches (LFI)

As you can see, open faced office shelving can increase storage capacity in the same floor space by more than 60% over vertical file cabinets and by more than 135% when compared to lateral cabinets.

Show me how to convert my vertical and lateral filing cabinets to end tab adjustable shelving

Time

Records can be retrieved faster with end tab filing.

100% of records in view at all times .  With a drawer type file cabinet, the only records that are in view are the records of an open drawer.  This is typically a very small percentage of the actual number of records.  With end tab shelving, 100% of the records are typically in view at one time.  This will greatly increase the retrieval time of a record.  A user can visually search all of the records at one time to rapidly find the record they are looking for.  With drawers, the user can only search through one drawer at a time.

Color Coding.  In order for end tab office shelving to work, you will need a good color coding file labels.  I would recommend labels by Tabbies or one of the other types of file labels located in the Store.  A color coding system works by putting color labels on your file folders which represent the letters or numbers by witch you retrieve your records.  This will create an effect of blocks of colors in your shelving system and allow the user to quickly find records by finding color blocks.  Also, misfiles can easily be identified and corrected with a color coding.  A misfile in a drawer system is not obvious and may take days locate and correct.

Folders with Color Coding Labels

Please give me more information on color coding.

Where can I buy Tabbies or other color coding labels?