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The Office Furniture Glossary

by Jaclyn Reid••2 Comments

The Office Furniture Glossary

Glossaries can be extremely helpful, we all know this, and especially advantageous if they include pictures!  In fact, think of how many articles that have a reference to a picture that’s included with a description so that there‘s no question about what‘s being talked about. Super easy to understand, right?

Today is another proud moment for CSS Office Solutions Inc., as we’ve recently created our very own GLOSSARY of terms!  This reference is a beginner’s guide to basic terms related to office furniture, and office moving.  The glossary of items can be found within our website’s Resources page.

When I first started working in the office furniture industry early in 2005, I had no idea what an overhead was, or a hutch, or a ped.  What “hand” on a desk meant, right or left, I thought maybe it was the hand that was most dominant for the worker, little did I know back then that it refers to an L-shape desk and what side the return is on.  And even further learning that deciding on what hand to use in your office has a lot to do with your office door!  Who knows these things?  Fast forward and here I am, someone that knows these things!  I’ve learned a whole new set of terms specific to the industry of office moving.  And truth be told, I can still be seen referencing our own glossary to ensure I’m following along.  Not like Brent, he really does know all these terms, and maybe even better than the back of his hand!  He’s one of those naturals that has worked in the industry for long enough, that these terms become second nature to know and reference.  But that’s not the case for everyone.

At CSS Office Solutions we’re very much the provider of all sorts of solutions, so when it became clear that we could assist our clients a little more in the terminology we use, we happily sought out to solve a problem!  We’re natural problem solvers, in all aspects!

Industry terms are titled industry terms for the obvious reason that they’re specific to an industry.  If you’re not in the industry, or know someone in the industry, chances are there may be a lack of knowledge or understanding around the terms being used within that industry.  There are times when we get so wrapped up in our own knowledge, that we forget to slow down and ensure our clients are familiar with the terms we’re using.

We love educating our clients and providing them with the necessary tools to make them successful in their role.  And so, after seeing the gap ourselves in trying to conduct a general search for the common terms we at CSS use consistently, or the right definitions we would expect to see, and having an even harder time finding pictures of all the terms we use, we decided to use our internal expertise.  So, we did it!  We created a glossary of definitions ourselves!

Our glossary includes the common terms you would expect to find in a furniture database.  Plus, it covers everything from what variety of equipment you’d see CSS use, plus included pictures or diagrams and definitions that showcase the difference between a lateral file cabinet and a vertical filing cabinet.  Not too sure of the difference yourself?  Check it out on the glossary!

It also includes some terms and items that are not commonly known, or that have different terminology used depending on the provider.  For instance, what CSS refers to as a file cart, can also be known and used as an electronic cart – same, but different. 

There is a total (as at today) of 29 items listed in the glossary, which of course is nowhere near an exhaustive list we could create!  If there’s a term that is still unclear, or perhaps there’s a term that you would love to see included in this list that isn’t currently included – call us, email us, contact us and let us know!  After all, this list is for YOU, the customer (and, has also been a great tool for onboarding new staff to the industry!).

CSS is known as subject matter experts and trusted advisors in the office furniture industry.  This is one piece of the industry puzzle that we can help our clients and customers put together to grow their knowledge and understanding of the terms we’ve learned, and not just take for granted that we know!

Creating this glossary also helps with common language and dialogue.  When common dialogue prevails, we’re all winners!  Common language is a key component and necessary for efficient communications.  With our clients, with our co-workers, and even with our suppliers, having a common dialogue is really important to us, and we’re happy to be filling in the gaps so that our clients are showcased as the superstars that they are!

Do you have a question, or would like to see a particular phrase or term included in the glossary?  Reach out and let’s start a conversation!  At CSS, we’re always going the extra mile for our clients, and this is just one example of what that means.  Happy reading!

Cheers to closing the terminology gap!

Providing Office Furniture Solutions

by Jaclyn Reid••0 Comments

Furniture solutions, for your office, the CSS way!

At CSS Office Solutions, we literally have the word ‘solutions’ incorporated into our name for a very good, directly implied reason.  Without a doubt, we downright consider ourselves a solutions provider that solves your office furniture difficulties, tasks, projects, etc. Some difficulties or problems you know you have (i.e.: office is moving, file room changes, etc.), and some problems you may not even know you have (i.e.: ergonomics, unlevel cabinets causing drawer issues, etc.).

Could we be considered the superheroes of the office furniture service world?  We just might be – in my biased eyes, we’re the total heroes (and at least I know for sure our staff are the real heroes!).

CSS is a solution provider that doesn’t ‘just’ provide moving services, or ‘just’ offers warehouse storage, or ‘just’ furniture repairs, or ‘just’ furniture sales.  CSS offers all of these services, and so many more to represent what a true solutions provider is.  We’ve created our business model around being able to offer office service and have multiple other offerings that are complementary.  This makes our job easier and aims to makes your job a whole lot easier too!

CSS provides all different types of solutions for office furniture and office services.  Before we’re able to understand what it means to provide different types of solutions, one must first appreciate exactly what a ‘solutions provider’ really is, and what it truly means for the customer’s overall experience.

As we’re referencing a solutions provider in this context, it would simply mean that you as a client of CSS’ are doing less to achieve more.  In most cases, the service provider steps up to handle most, if not all aspects of your needs, essentially taking the task or project off of your plate entirely!  A solutions provider is also a company that doesn’t just offer one piece of the transaction.  So, think about a company that sells just the furniture product, and has another company install or deliver the item(s), and then another company that you have to go through for the warranty.  Providing solutions to a customer base is all encompassing and brings everything together, all under one roof as much as possible.

This is obviously where I would make a reference to CSS being a true one-stop-shop office furniture solution provider.

Isn’t that what we all hope and wish for when we hire a service company?  We want it all with a cherry on top.  It’s all good to want the world when choosing a service provider, and that’s exactly what we try to deliver at CSS throughout all of our interactions and engagements.  There’s lots of truth that as consumers we want a great price, great service for the price paid and to have less responsibilities and stress completing this task or project.

What else is there truth behind?  The reason as to why we refer to CSS as being the only call you need to make: a true one-stop-shop, the dedicated solutions provider for all things office furniture related.  For our clients to be able to contact one business and have all their questions, projects, general inquiries and tasks taken care of with incredible levels of service, is a true rare find.  We’re happy to be that rare find.

We know what we know, and we’re truthful to admit to not know what we don’t know – or what lands outside of our own internal teams’ expertise or wheelhouse!  Examples of this would be if your project, move or task required electrical wire work, or your office/renovations needed a general contractor for infrastructure changes, or design assistance, etc.  You know, the stuff we/you shouldn’t touch unless you’re THAT kind of expert!  In CSS’ case, these would be the times when we’re not able to complete the work ourselves but are able to rely on our trusted partners to assist.  CSS still coordinates and manages with all contractors and designers on your behalf, ensuring project success for what our clients needs are.

At CSS, we thoroughly enjoy being a part of the team, and when we’re all working towards solving the same solution, that’s a project or task well on its way to being successfully achieved!  Win-win for everyone!

The amazingness of this offering is that CSS’ clients receive the full depth of removing tasks off their plate while eliminating coordination on their part – leave it to us, we love this stuff!

A solutions provider will try to take as many to-do’s off your list and put it on theirs, all done to alleviate you from having to coordinate or manage them on your own.  Our Account Managers and everyone on our team is available to guide you in making the right decisions, for the right reasons.  We hope to welcome you into our long list of overjoyed clients who have been lucky enough to feel what it’s like for the real CSS client experience.

At CSS, we know your time is tremendously valuable and there’s only so much of it in one workday.  Let our team of experts allow you to take some of that back into your day.  Think of this as the time freed up that can be used for your expertise or genius, while you leave CSS to take care of all things that’s our expertise and in our wheelhouse.

Contact our office today to take time back in your day by having CSS manage all your furniture projects, coordinate office moves and handle your service needs.