Blackberry Mobility Featured Article

Ergonomics experts have long known that enabling employees to stand for even part of the time while working is healthier than sitting the entire time. It also improves performance.

 

I can attest to this. When I did magazine and newspaper layout and proofreading the old-fashioned way -- i.e. waxing in and cutting copy and art and checking over printed galleys -- I was told that standing increases the blood flow to the brain by 15 percent, which allows for faster, more accurate work.

 

The solution in today’s computer age has been the adjustable-height workstation that permits sitting and standing. The issue is while many contact centers and other office environments have them to support standard desktop computers for use by full-time employees, there have been few tools available for mobile devices that are carried by staff or contractors who occasionally work in offices, such as one or two days a week, or by visiting suppliers or clients.  The typical practice of ‘oh, here’s an empty cube’ doesn’t cut it for intensive work. With more people working on the road and remotely this is a growing need that needs to be addressed.

 

Ergotron has met that need with the WorkFit workstation, is a sit-or-stand mobile computer workstation that helps office workers to move from seated to standing and back to a seated position whenever they wish. This new tool reduces back strain, increasing productivity and burning more calories while enjoying healthier, more productive computing. For business managers, owners and facility/office designers, WorkFit delivers a small footprint, mobile office platform, which can be rolled to “point-of-work” and adapted for temporary employees, traveling guests and short-stay teleworkers.

 

Research by Dr. Marc Hamilton, associate professor of biomedical sciences at the University of Missouri, indicates the simple act of standing may have great health benefits for office workers. The sedentary act of sitting all day actually lowers metabolic rate, negatively impacting other bodily systems. Just standing during the day while using the WorkFit can, says the firm, actually double a worker’s metabolic rate.

 

The WorkFit workstation uses patented Constant Force lift technology to offer one-touch adjustment of the negative-tilt keyboard and monitor. With 25 inches of height adjustability, WorkFit allows workers to easily lift LCD screens or laptops to match their body’s position while they sit or stand, providing unsurpassed ergonomic comfort. Just as importantly, WorkFit’s independent adjustment and negative tilt keyboard ensures optimum elbow and wrist placement to avoid repetitive stress injury.

 

Ergotron’s WorkFit is available in four configurations—from the productivity-promoting dual-monitor or combo (laptop with LCD) to single-LCD cart (Light Duty and Heavy Duty) models. Fully-equipped WorkFit workstations facilitate collaboration at fulltime, temporary or telecommuter work pods, especially when customized with accessories that fit employee needs.

 

With its small footprint, large worksurface and modular platform, the WorkFit is therefore ideal for both new office projects and retrofits. Its versatility and ease of deployment reduces expenditures in new workspace creation and maintenance, thereby optimizing space utilization.

 

“We are committed to greatly reducing the cost of ergonomics and bringing it to millions of people because we understand that by doing so we will make the lives of millions of people better,” explains Joel Hazzard, president and CEO of Ergotron. “WorkFit enables businesses to affordably boost productivity while addressing the number one cause of corporate health expense: neck and back injury.”