Why Roller Shelving is Essential for Your Business
Although we now have the opportunity to store a lot of information electronically using computer hard drives, external hard drives, servers and cloud-based technology, many businesses still like to keep paper versions of their records and some are even required to do so by law. The problem with keeping paper records is that they can easily be misplaced, lost or damaged if they are not correctly stored, causing a number of different problems for businesses. This is why it is essential that all businesses invest in efficient and effective storage solutions.
Looking for a practical, affordable and effective storage solution for your business’s documents and files? It is highly recommend that you read the rest of this article, which will tell you all about how you can benefit from using roller shelving !
One of the reasons companies have to store things like business and accounting records is to comply with regulations. HM Revenue and Customs requires companies to keep their business and accounting records for at least six years from the end of their Corporation Tax account periods. As you can imagine, a whole six years worth of records would result in a lot of paper needing to be filed and stored!
What makes a good storage solution?
You may be wondering what exactly makes a good storage solution and really it all depends on what you are looking to store. For example, a file cabinet is great for storing paper based documents, but would be no good for storing retail stock. When looking for storage for your business, it is wise to consider a number of factors. Ask yourself questions such as:
Is it cost effective?
How practical is it?
Is it easy to use?
Is it a long-term solution?
A type of storage that meets the requirements of the majority of businesses is roller shelving. In fact it is so versatile that we would even go as far as saying it is the best form of storage available to all businesses, everywhere. Here we will provide an explanation of what roller shelving is and why it is essential to your business.
What is roller shelving?
Roller shelving is a type of storage unit great for storing everything from paper files and documents to books, stock, parts at much, much more! Unlike traditional shelving units, which are static, roller shelving is movable as it is fixed onto tracks. When you operate the roller shelving units, they seamlessly slide a long the tracks, allowing you to create your own aisles.
Many businesses actually prefer using roller shelving to other types of storage units, due to the many benefits of the storage solution, which we will go on to discuss later. For now, let’s take a look at the two different types of roller shelving available; manual roller shelving and automated roller shelving.
As you can see here, the manual roller shelving has wheels that can be turned to move the rows of shelves apart and create aisles.
Manual vs. automated roller shelving
As mentioned above, there are two different types of roller shelving available. The first is manual roller shelving. This basically means that you operate the shelving and create aisles using your own body power. To do this, you simply turn the wheel of the row of shelves you need to move. You will usually find that each row of shelves has it’s own wheel. The wheels are really easy to turn (no weight training required). You simply turn them a little and the shelves will begin to move across the tracks. To see a demonstration of just how easy roller shelving is to operate, watch the video below.
The alternative solution is to opt for automated roller shelving. These units have electronic shelves, which can be controlled by pressing buttons. You will usually find there is a control pad featuring at least three buttons – left, right and stop. These buttons can be used to direct and move the shelves, allowing you to create aisles and access the files or stock you require.
One of the main advantages of automated roller shelving is that very little effort is required to operate them. Even if you have your hands full, you will still be able to operate the shelves easily. Many automated roller shelving units also come with other quality features like in-built sensors that prevent you from being able to close the rows of the shelving unit, if someone is down one of the aisles.
Automated roller shelving is obviously the more pricey option of the two, so you will have to decide whether the extra features are worth the additional cost.
Who can use roller shelving?
Any business from any industry, in any location can make use of roller shelving. Below we have outlined how some businesses could use it to their advantage.
Roller shelving can be used by a wide range of businesses to store everything from document archives to medical records, parts and products.
Hospitals and doctors surgeries
Hospitals and doctors surgeries are required to keep patients’ medical records and other confidential information on-site. The fact that this information is confidential means it needs to be kept securely. Roller shelving provides a great solution because it is completely secure and allows records to be organised neatly.
Warehouses
Roller shelving can be used in warehouses to store everything from order documentation to parts and components. Using roller shelving in a warehouse can help to minimise damage to stock and keep the warehouse floor tidy, preventing tripping hazards and accidents.
For a better idea of how warehouses can make use of roller shelving, check out the video below.
Retail outlets
Many retail outlets use roller shelving in their stock rooms to store surplus stock. Using roller shelving can help sales assistants to provide a quicker and more efficient service, as it makes it easier for them to locate the products customers are requesting.
Compact storage solutions like roller shelving is often used in libraries in order to maximise the space available and allow them to stock more books.
Libraries
Instead of using traditional, static bookshelves, libraries can utilise roller shelving to save on floor space. Books can be stored efficiently within the hidden shelves and accessed easily using the turn wheels.
Schools and colleges
Many schools and colleges use roller shelving to store educational files like transcripts and reports. Roller shelving provides efficient document storage, ensuring files are easy to locate and access.
Law firms and solicitors
Law firms and solicitors are often required to have paper copies of evidence and reports. These can be stored safely and efficiently using roller shelving.
Banks
Banks can keep records of customers’ accounts and financial data stored safely in roller shelving units.
There are many other businesses that can make use of roller shelving in the work place, but these were just a few examples so you could begin to see the possibilities for yourself!
Benefits of roller shelving
In order to see why roller shelving is essential for your business, you need to know more about its features and benefits. Here we have outlined a number of reasons why using roller shelving is beneficial. Obviously different types of businesses will find different benefits in roller shelving to others, but we have done our best to cover everything !
Installing roller shelving can help you to make better use of the space in your stock room. Use the space better and you will find there is room for additional stock, which can be sold on to make additional profits !
Save space
Limited space is a common business problem, especially with industrial rental costs and sale prices being so high. One of the great things about high quality roller shelving solutions is that they allow businesses to save floor space, whilst increasing their storage capacity at the same time. If you are quite limited for space but require a unit to store all of your important files and documents, roller shelving will prove to be the most practical solution. It can be designed to fit exactly in the space you have available, ensuring it makes the most of it, whilst also doubling your storage capacity.
The space you save by choosing roller shelving instead of traditional, static shelving can then be used more wisely. For example, you could add another desk to your office, for a new employee you may be thinking of hiring!
Increase capacity using roller shelving
If you are looking to increase storage capacity without having to commit another room to being a storage room, roller shelving will provide a better solution. Even though roller shelving only takes up half the space of a static unit of the same size, it provides twice the amount of storage space. This is due to the fact that roller shelving has a high density design and is therefore able to hold more items than traditional storage units.
If you are looking to save money on storage and cannot afford to move to a bigger premise, roller shelving will prove to be the most cost efficient and practical solution.
Save money thanks to roller shelving
One of the reasons that businesses allow employees to work from home is so they can save on the cost of floor space. If you are still operating from a traditional office, you will know just how expensive the rent can be. One of the benefits of using roller shelving in the work place is that it can help you save money. The fact you can double your storage capacity without having to rent any extra space makes roller shelving a cost effective solution. Utilising roller shelving will also work out to be so much cheaper than renting larger premises in order to find room for your files and documents.
Improve efficiency
Roller shelving can significantly improve the efficiency of your business operations. How you ask? Firstly it makes it quick and easy for employees to find the files and documents they need. The fact you can keep all of your files on-site, eliminates the need for employees to spend time phoning up a storage warehouse to get the information they require. What is also great is that if you label your shelves so they correspond with documents, staff will be able to save time locating the information they require, giving them more time to spend on other core business tasks.
Roller shelving is also essential for your business, as it will prevent you from losing or damaging important files. If you leave paperwork and documents piled up in your office or lying about on employees’ desks, at some point they are likely to go missing. By having a dedicated storage unit on-site, you can ensure that your paperwork is kept safe and tidy, ready for when you need it for something like auditing or compliance checks.
Increase productivity and profits with roller racking
The space you save using roller shelving can be used more wisely to help you increase productivity. Say for example you had free space in your warehouse - you could create another packing area so that you could take on more staff and have more orders packed and shipped out in a single day.
Alternatively if you had extra space in your office, thanks to using roller shelving, you could set up a few hot desks, which you could rent out to freelancers as a way of making extra income for your business.
Roller shelving units are considered to provide better security than traditional shelving units where files, documents and products can be easily accessed and removed by anyone walking by.
Increase security with roller racking
If your job involves handling secret or confidential records, it is absolutely essential that you have a secure storage unit to keep them in. Roller shelving is one of the most secure types of storage units, available to businesses today. The fact confidential records can be concealed in the hidden away shelves and locked, will make it very difficult for unauthorised persons to access them.
If you are having custom-built roller shelving system made, you could even think about requesting additional security features, such as password protection, which would require users to type in a password or pin code before the roller shelving could be operated. The possibilities are endless!
Mobile storage
Unlike other types of storage units, roller shelving is mobile. This means it can be easily and quickly re-located, without the need to empty its contents or dissemble its parts. Businesses can greatly benefit from using a high density mobile storage solution like roller shelving, as if they decide they want to re-locate their stock room or use their storage unit elsewhere in the building, they can simply transport it hassle-free!
Long-term storage solution
Roller shelving units provide an affordable, long-term storage solution for businesses of all sizes and from all industries. They are made from high quality materials and are built to last, ensuring you get your money’s worth out of them. Rather than investing in cheaper, lower quality storage units, it will work out much more cost effective to spend the money on an advanced roller shelving unit that will last for years and years to come.
Here at Storage Aspects we also offer our roller shelving customers on-going maintenance and repairs contracts at an affordable price. This means they can benefit from having their roller shelving units regularly inspected and if required, repaired, in order to keep them looking and operating like new. We aim to help you get the most from your investment in our quality storage solutions.
Did you know that roller shelving is commonly used in laboratories? It is the ideal storage solution for things like chemicals and equipment as it can be designed to hold the products individually and is suitable for using in rooms of all temperatures – even cold rooms !
Roller racking – a flexible storage solution
Roller shelving also has the advantage of being completely flexible. This means that if you decide you want to re-purpose it and use it to store something other than your files and documents, you can simply get in touch and we will come and give it an update. We can swap shelves for racks or racks for hanging space. When it comes to roller shelving and it’s uses, there are no limitations!
Another reason why roller shelving is essential for your business is that it can be adapted when your business expands, the same of which cannot be said for other more traditional storage units. If you expand your business and experience an increase in paperwork or take on more customers and have more documents to store, then you will simply be able to have your roller shelving unit extended to meet your needs and requirements. There will be no need to go out and buy a completely new unit. You can simply add-on to your existing one and make significant cost savings, whilst increasing its capacity.
Roller racking - an essential for all businesses
If you are looking to organise your business documents or stock in order to improve efficiency levels and allow opportunities for increased productivity, something as simple as roller shelving may be just what you are in need of. We understand that it is hard to believe that a simple storage unit can do so much for your business, but trust us it can! All of the benefits outlined above lead to increased efficiency, happier customers and staff and major business improvements. Just talk to our existing clients and they’ll tell you themselves!
Bespoke roller shelving solutions for your business
Here at Storage Aspects we believe it is important to offer our clients a personal design service. Rather than providing you with a one-size-fits-all storage unit, we will work closely with you to ensure the roller shelving we build is tailored to your business needs and requirements.
Storage Aspects will help you to get the most out of your roller shelving, guaranteeing that you get your money’s worth. We can design roller shelving to perfectly fit the space you have available, even if it is happens to be the most awkwardly shaped room! We can also make your roller shelving out of a wide range of materials that vary in quality and expense. This means you can spend as little or as much as you want to.
Our roller shelving units also come in a wide range of colours, allowing you to choose attractive designs that fit in with your interior décor. If you work in a professional office or retail space where image is important, you could even have your roller shelving designed to match the colours in your business logo and branding.
Conclusion
Roller shelving is essential to all businesses and provides the perfect answer to common business problems such as limited space and lack of storage capacity. If you are looking to organise your business and increase efficiency, you will greatly benefit from utilising an effective, practical and affordable storage solution like roller shelving.
If you are interesting in having your own custom roller shelving unit built, get in touch with Storage Aspects today! We have years of experience designing and installing high density roller shelving and are therefore the perfect company to build your unit, no matter how unique your requirements are. For more information about roller shelving or to request a custom build, get in touch with a member of the Storage Aspects team by calling 800 033 7075.
Image credits: carst, jisc_infonet, jisc_infonet, ljdougherty, Images_of_Money and drwgovier