Project preparation

Information technology – how it affects the office
The whole move towards more flexible working has been fuelled by advances in IT. The design and selection of your IT system is the responsibility of your IT consultant. There is a considerable amount of cabling required for IT, and the problem begins where the data cables enter the building. It will be necessary to distribute networks throughout the building from the cable entrance. This will mean providing large risers and ducts to carry these, together with raised floors or trunking to get the cables to the workstations.

Whatever system is used, data distribution within the office and outside is a major factor that must be an integral part of the design of the office environment. This is one of three vital points to be considered:

• Data distribution (cables and fibre optics)
• User comfort
• Heat

Cables are needed not only for connecting computers together via networks, but also for connecting printers and scanners. The volume of these cables can become considerable, and special provision must be made for them in the building.

Cordless technology continues to lag behind hard-wiring. As IT systems become faster and more powerful, cordless options fail to catch up with the need for greater band-width and security. Even if cordless is adopted, each piece of equipment will need a power cable.

The position of the sockets for networks and power is, therefore, critical, especially if laptop computers are being used. Avoid sockets under desks, as this will force laptop users to crawl under them each time they need to connect to the network. Many desks include wire management, and careful consideration should be given to this in the selection of furniture.

To use a VDU and keyboard for extended periods of time can cause eyestrain or RSI. These can be avoided with better user comfort. Make sure that the lighting levels are not too high, and that there are no strong light sources which can cause reflections or glare on the screen. The selection of the right desk and chair play an important part in avoidance of RSI. Your staff should also be encouraged to sit with a correct posture, with both feet on the floor, or on a footrest, and arms slightly bent. The screen should be centred below eye level, and it should be positioned parallel with the edge of the desk, not at an angle.

VDU’s and many pieces of IT equipment emit large amounts of heat. This can lead to a rapid increase in temperature in an office if not properly dealt with. Your M&E engineer will advise, but you will need to give him details of the heat output of your IT equipment before he can make an assessment for you. Flat-screen VDU’s emit less heat than conventional ones.

Computer rooms
Most systems are now PC based, but as programmes became more complex there was an ever-increasing demand for servers remote from the PC’s on the desk. In addition, the mainframe has not yet disappeared from office life completely. These two factors mean that special facilities are still needed for computers. At a very early stage your IT consultants should assess your needs for any specialist facilities you need. These will include the size and location of computer rooms and any need for cooling them. The provision of a UPS (un-interruptible power supply) or an emergency generator may also affect your selection criteria and they must be considered in detail from the outset.

Disaster recovery
Risk is inherent in the relocation of any IT environment, especially if this has to be achieved within tight timescales. It is not always possible or cost effective to pre-install and test equipment at the new location while the existing services continue to operate. There is

• ‹ previous
• 45 of 58
• next ›