Back in my old sales role I relied heavily on this little box that sat on my desk and held hundreds of cards with customer’s names and contact details on. I would always make a note of the companies I had been in contact with, who it was I spoke to, whether they’d requested not to be called again, who the best person to speak to was, best times to call, and any relevant details which could help me when I called them again in the future. Record cards for me where not just about the name and telephone number; they were a real life line and key to my hitting targets and making the ultimate sale.

In my post previous to that I’d also had a card index box sitting on my desk. However this time it wasn’t as an aid to meeting goals and making sales, it was as a way of me looking after my customers. With various accounts with different companies, it was difficult at times not to confuse each one from the other. In order to provide optimum service individually tailored to each company, it was vital to keep a record for each one. Record cards would state which person to contact depending on my query, accounts they held with us, codes and telephone numbers along with other pieces of information which would help to provide dedicated service to their needs.

At Office 365 we have a large selection of record cards, our favourite being the Concord Assorted Record Cards pack. These smooth cards are ideal for a card index system as they are available in assorted colours making filing even easier and also giving a better variety of filing options.

• Assorted packs consist of yellow, blue, pink and pale green
• Card Size 127 x 76mm
• Quantity – 100
• Smooth
• Ruled
• Double sided
• 23% Off! – Just £2.00!

A card Index system is a priceless tool in the office, but would also make an excellent aid in the home too. They’re so much easier to use than a telephone/address book, you simply lift the lid and flick through the easily visible cards pulling out the one that you require. Each card has plenty of room to store all the information you need, plus you can even use the reverse of the card. As opposed to a telephone address book; when a card becomes out of date, you simply purchase a cheap pack of refill cards, rather than having to buy an entirely new book and fill the whole thing out all over again!

When you line of work is customer and/or supplier orientated it is essential to keep a track of all their contact details and to keep them updated and one of the best ways to stay on top is to use index cards and card index storage. It is surprising how much use one of these things will actually see and how lost you would be without it. Previously working in more of a sales area, I had to work from index cards all day, every day and I would find myself noting down additional contacts on the cards, updating telephone numbers, best times to call, who NOT to speak to and so on. I found myself heavily relying upon my card index drawer and I know that without it – due to my very poor memory – I would have been in a constant muddle and put the customers off!

Index cards are used for recording individual items of information, so for example one companies information and contact details per card, which are the easily rearranged and filed away. You will find that index cards are available in various styles from blank, ruled and grid, plus in a variety of colours too making categorising your index system even easier! When using a card index system you will find it extremely beneficial to use special divider cards which have protruding tabs that are already labelled or left blank for your own individual labelling. For example, our most popular index divider cards are the A-Z variety making finding your customer’s details far more straight forward. and a variety of cases and trays to hold the cards are also sold here at Office 365. Our wide range of index cards and card index storage means that your important phone numbers, contacts and sources are always at your finger tips.

Featured to your right is our 1 Drawer Bisley Card Index Cabinet which is a small compact drawer system that provides a cost-effective method of storing card-based information that can be immediately to hand. It’s robust and secure carcass boasts;

• Steel construction
• Holds 3 standard card sizes in single or double drawer versions
• EPC finish and interlocking facility
• Separate easily fitted lock available
• Each cabinet holds 1500 cards per drawer (available separately)
• All models have card support plate and patented linking device
• One Drawer
• Card size: 203 x 127mm
• Cabinet size: 271 x 403 x 206mm
• 27% off! – Now just £45.96!

The Bisley Guarantee

The guarantee covers all defects in materials and workmanship. Bisley Office Furniture will repair or replace, at their sole discretion, any faulty part free of charge. The warranty does not apply to damage resulting from neglect, misuse or accidents and applies when the product is used during normal office hours.

When your business began or expanded into bigger premises, did you start out using furniture which had been left behind, borrowed or bought second hand? If so, you’re not alone. Most businesses begin this way unless they have been lucky enough to start out with a large loan or cash flow, which let’s face it, is pretty uncommon. When businesses start out in this way, collecting the odd desk here, cupboard there, filing cabinet from an auction, meeting room table cast off; we are aware that the office may look a bit mix and match, but it’s just to make do while the business gets started and when things pick up, it’ll be time to buy in the new stuff, all matching and swish, and sure to last as long as you are. If you’ve come to the point where your company can afford to make that investment, or you’re one of the lucky ones who has the finances in place from the word go, then you’ve come to the right place. Remember, this is an important purchase, the face of your business is the first impression your company will give to clients and prospective customers, why not make it a classy one, one that oozes swagger, wealth and style. Show your visitors how much of a successful business you run and choose carefully the style and finish you require.

Office 365 have plenty of variety in furniture available, each brand offering collections available with all furniture pieces to match, all you have to decide is which one? If you know the quality, price and style you’re looking for, then all you need to know is which brand caters to those specifications. The list below illustrates our medal scheme and which brands fall under which medal. This will give you an idea about each of our brands and the quality of desks they produce.

Bronze Medal - Entry level furniture – Trexus

Silver Medal - Mid level furniture- Influx and Trexus Plus. All you need for the office with added strength.

Gold Medal - Managers and mid level furniture which gives you that little bit extra from our Sonix and Elysium brands.

Platinum – Boom and Emperial all have the quality of our Gold Medal products but with extra style and design to make the look of your office even more special.

Whether you’re looking for canteen furniture, workstations, conference furniture, bookcases, office chairs, management seating, office trolleys, operator seating, pedestals, screens, tables or more, Office 365 have what you’re looking for. Any of course if you need any help, just give us a call on 0870 766 1624.

Home filing is as important as office filing is. Without the use of some kind of storage for all those essential documents, we’d just have heaps and heaps of paper stacked all over the place. Some things just require that little bit of extra security, plus it helps to know where those important documents are! As I’ve explained in previous blogs, filing has proven a bit of an issue in my house. I have worked my way through many different methods of filing tools including ring binders, expanding files, letter trays and desk drawers; however none of them quite fulfilled what was expected of them. I have rather demanding needs when it comes to filing, obviously, and have come to the conclusion that I need something a lot bigger! A filing cabinet however is just too much for me, with the requirement for suspension files and the huge space needed to store it. However there is a happy medium option available here. At Office 365 we have a selection of filing cabinets for home office.

After purchasing the Bisley 15 Drawer Steel Storage Cabinet for myself just a week ago, it was a real delight to be writing this blog today. When my cabinet arrived I was pleasantly surprised to discover that it looked exactly as it did in the picture! At almost a meter tall, this cabinet easily files away all your household paperwork, yet at just 28cm wide and 41cm deep, it will fit into the smallest of nooks. I managed to find a use for every drawer, from birth certificates and bank statements, to the kid’s school reports and council tax bills. It comes with little white card inserts so that you can label each drawer with its contents, I even got a spare! However if like me one spare won’t be quite enough, try labelling your index cards using a pencil. That way when you want to change the contents of a draw, say when that debt is paid, you can just rub it out and label what the new contents will be.

• 15 Drawers
• W279 x D408 x H860mm
• Doulton Blue
• 26% off

At just £92.00, I think this is a real bargain! But remember, as this is a furniture item, it will take a little longer for delivery. Allow between 2 and 7 days for completion.

The Green Bit

Bisley realise that all manufacturing has some effect on the environment and it is their policy to make themselves aware of this and to conduct their business in ways designed to reduce adverse effects and maximise favourable ones. They are signatories to the environment policy statement issued by OFMA (Office Furniture and Filing Manufactures Association) and endorse the policies they keep. Plus, they have recently attained a Fira Club Green and club 18001 membership.

Bisley’s capital investment in plant and machinery has had a major impact on the efficient production of their products; state of the art machinery has reduced waste, improved quality and increased safety. All steel off-cuts and other scrap metal is recycled and manufacturing waste bi-products disposed of by licensed contractors. They have consistently received safety awards from the British Safety Council.

Bisley’s environmental objectives are as follows;

• Reduce stack emissions
• Reduce waste from production processes
• Conserve energy
• Recycle waste and other products wherever possible
• Raise suppliers awareness of the environmental impact throughout the supply chain
• Minimise nuisance and disturbance to their neighbours

One of our biggest sellers is the filing cabinet, offering roomy and versatile file storage space for important documents. Every business will use at least one filing cabinet as they provide the safest and most efficient storage method for this type of item. One of the main benefits of the filing cabinet is its ability to lock your documents away. More often than not, your important company documents are private. So not to be at risk of breaching the data protection act, your business must be seen to be storing such information, protectively. Your company’s key figures and sensitive information is also something to be protected; in all of these instances, the filing cabinet is the way to go.  However, we have had numerous enquiries regarding the locks on filing cabinet. Many people ask if we sell the parts for the locks on their old filing cabinets, who to call to fix the locks on their filing cabinets or wish to order an entirely new cabinet because the lock on theirs has broken. You don’t need to get rid of a file cabinet with a broken lock. If possible, look for the number on the front of the lock. With this number, a locksmith could simply make a new key. If this is not an option, you can easily replace a non-working file cabinet lock. Fortunately, you don’t need to get rid of your filing cabinet just because the lock has broken.

If you study the lock on your filing cabinet, you may find the number on the front of the lock. Using this number, your local locksmith may be able to make a new key. However, if for any reason this is not an option, there are ways in which you can easily replace a filing cabinet lock.

First, open your filing cabinet drawer. If the drawer is locked shut, simply turn the filing cabinet upside down. You will find that most filing cabinet locks are affected by gravity, so if you turn the cabinet upside down, the locking mechanism will fall into the unlocked position. However, if turning it upside down doesn’t work, try drilling the lock through its center. This should enable you to unlock the drawer so that you have access to remove the lock. Try using a drill or hammer and a punch and don’t worry about damaging the lock. However, take care not to damage the hole in which the locking mechanism fits into.

When you have your drawer open; look inside. You should see a small clip that with a pair of pliers, you can grasp. You will probably find that the clip is very secure. With the pliers, pull the clip very hard in and up and outward motion. Once the clip is removed, you will find the entire lock should just pull out the front of the filing cabinet.

The next part is simple; you can purchase a new filing cabinet lock at most big office supply or hardware stores. Where possible, take your broken lock with you so that you can be sure you’re getting the correct replacement. However, if your lock has been damaged beyond all recognition, make sure to take a digital picture of the hole your new lock will fit into with either your phone or your camera; you may find this comes in handy!

Fitting the new lock is quick and easy. Simply insert the new one into the hole. Make sure it is flush to the cabinet wall. Your new lock will come with a new pin. The pin will effortlessly slide into grooves on the lock, much easier than it came out! Before you close the drawer, test the new lock with the keys provided.

Filing Cabinet Facts

• The filing cabinet, when compared with other office furniture, has made the biggest impact on our everyday lives.
• The filing cabinet was invented in 1898 by a man named Edwin G. Seibels.
• Prior to the filing cabinet, complicated shelving systems where used that required documents to be folded and placed on the appropriate shelf.
• The name for Oz in the “Wizard of Oz” was thought up when the creator, Frank Baum, looked at his filing cabinet and saw A-N, and O-Z, hence “Oz.” 

The filing cabinet is not an item that should be bought cheaply. Even when the drawers are three-quarters full, you should expect them to glide open and click shut with smoothness and solidity. There’s nothing worse than trying to open a heavy file drawer and hearing that unbearable screech! We have a popular range of nice file cabinets from many different brands; however the one we’d like to bring to you today is of a quality that is second to none.

Take a look to your left at our Elysium Mahogany 4 Drawer Filing Cabinet, a superior brand from Trexus. The Elysium range has been created to give your office style and individuality, combined with practicality in use. As far as file cabinets go, they don’t get any more sophisticated than this! With plenty of space in its 4 lockable drawers and a choice of both walnut and mahogany, this filing cabinet is the perfect accompaniment to any office.

A while back, Trexus launched a new medal scheme to make things simpler for our customers. Under this new scheme, our customers can decide how far their budget can stretch, and which medal has a range which suits their needs the most. Elysium have been awarded the highest Gold Medal, offering great quality and style – for that stunning look! So for a more executive look and feel to your office, we highly recommend the Trexus range of Elysium furniture, developed due to Trexus’s strong beliefs in office appearance. 

Please remember, in order to bring you products at the best possible price, many items will require you to assemble them yourself. This means that you are not paying for someone else to put it together for you, and you will find that it could not be simpler. These still have a delivery service unlike ‘cash-and-carry’ outlets.

A Single Drawer Filing Cabinet can be a fantastic asset to a small office, either in the home or the business. They provide a perfectly adequate amount of filing space for your household bills or for personal work filing.

At Office 365, we have a fantastic Pierre Henry single drawer filing cabinet available and for just a snip of the retail price. Take a look at the image below for example.

In the image you will see 1, 2 and 3 drawer filing cabinet options, the price we are going to give is for the 1 drawer option. It features;

• A4 steel filing cabinet
• Holds A4 suspension files
• Smooth action drawer runners
• Strong quality steel construction
• Lockable, comes supplied with two keys
• Stackable, modular and portable
• Dimensions (WxDxH): 400×400x400mm
• Silver

With 25% off the recommended retail price, you can now pick this up for just £35.42! Pierre Henry are a reputable family owned company who produce a range of A4 filing cabinets, file boxes, desk top accessories and tambour cupboards from three manufacturing plants in Normandy France. The companies Head Office is based in the beautiful and very practical capital, Paris. With over 60 years of production experience Pierre Henry sells its products across the globe to many of the largest resellers in the world.  Products are produced to all key European standards and offer value for money items for both the home and office use.

Possibly the most important organisational asset to any office and home is the filing cabinet. This is why we’ve taken the time to find you a good one. We’ve found that due to the rise in home organisation of paperwork and the need for a filing cabinet at every workstation in the workplace, the most popular would be the 2 Drawer Filing Cabinets.

Take our smart looking Bisley BS2E Filing Cabinet featured to your right for example. This filing cabinet is obviously elegant and sophisticated in style. The flush-fronted steel cabinets are actually the market leaders in the UK and are built to last. They feature a fully welded construction and double skin drawer front and the range includes five, four, three and two drawer versions. These cabinets are suitable for foolscap filing. With 100% drawer extension you can get total access to your contents and the smooth action, heavy-duty roller ball bearing slides are guaranteed for 15 years! What’s more, if you already own one of these or would like to add to your Bisley collection in future, you can actually bolt the cabinets together for a ‘flush’ look. Plus the anti-tilt mechanism ensures safety at all times – no risk of being squashed here! Each unit is lockable and comes with 2 keys, the dimensions are WxD: 470 x 622mm and height: 711mm.

The Green Bit

Bisley realise that all manufacturing has some effect on the environment and it is their policy to make themselves aware of this and to conduct their business in ways designed to reduce adverse effects and maximise favourable ones. They are signatories to the environment policy statement issued by OFMA (Office Furniture and Filing Manufactures Association) and endorse the policies they keep. Plus, they have recently attained a Fira Club Green and club 18001 membership.

Bisley’s capital investment in plant and machinery has had a major impact on the efficient production of their products; state of the art machinery has reduced waste, improved quality and increased safety. All steel off-cuts and other scrap metal is recycled and manufacturing waste bi-products disposed of by licensed contractors. They have consistently received safety awards from the British Safety Council.

Bisley’s environmental objectives are as follows;

• Reduce stack emissions
• Reduce waste from production processes
• Conserve energy
• Recycle waste and other products wherever possible
• Raise suppliers awareness of the environmental impact throughout the supply chain
• Minimise nuisance and disturbance to their neighbours 

Ok, so it’s been a while since we’ve ‘bigged up’ Bisley, I reckon it’s about time we boost their ego’s again don’t you?! Today we’d like to introduce to you the Bisley multidrawer range, available in chalk white or doulton blue.

Bisley really are top notch for filing and multi drawer cabinets. They are a great company and so we are proud to supply their products. 7 Reasons why Bisley’s best for multi drawer cabinets:

1. Bisley multi drawer cabinets have one carcase for strength.

2. Fully extending drawers allow greater capacity and access to contents.

3. Tough paint finish conforms to BS3900 standard

4. Smooth opening / closing is ensured by roller ball bearing glides

5. Bisley’s production facilities churn out over 20,000 pieces of furniture a week using some of the industry’s most advanced manufacturing processes including computer aided design, precision folding and laser cutting.

6. When you buy a Bisley multi drawer cabinet, you can be assured you are buying from a socially and environmentally responsible company. The Company is a full member of The Furniture Industry Sustainability Programme (FISP) which aims to promote social progress. Objectives include effective protection for the environment, considerate use of natural resources and maintenance of high stable levels of growth and employment. All steel off-cuts and other scrap metal is recycled and waste products are disposed of by licensed contractors.

7. All steel purchased by Bisley is 40% recycled and steel itself is 100% recyclable.

Our Bisley multi drawer cabinets are an attractive solution for stationery and small storage needs for home, office or workshop. The variety of sizes vary from between 5, 10 and 15 drawer options and you can choose different tray inserts to accommodate different items.

But why buy from us?

Office 365 have been a reputable retailer in stationery and office equipment for 5 years now and has built a reputation for value and compassion to our customers. Our team are fully trained to deal with your enquiries and will answer all your questions fully and happily. As an Investor in People, Office 365 strives to treat their staff with the respect, equality and flexibility they deserve, therefore you will always be greeted by a happy person when contacting our team. When placing an order thats value is £30 or more with Office 365, your goods will be delivered next day free delivery! (This depends on stock availability of course – so call for urgent requests) We advise your order is placed before 4pm for your peace of mind. And don’t forget, if you see our prices cheaper any where else, we’ll match it! We deal with purchase orders by fax for ease of use for government organisations, schools and charities and are able to set up a credit facility for these companies. Don’t be afraid to haggle - at Office 365, if you’re buying in bulk, you can get a cheaper quote – just ask! 

For more Office Storage Cabinets, take a look at the range we have to offer online – there are more than just this one you know!

More From Our Offiec365 Best Range…

Well of course, it had to be Bisley who make the Best Filing Cabinets. But what exactly is it about Bisley that make them the Best? Bisley’s added features make them by far the safest, but also the best quality. With this comes peace of mind.

Featuring the classic;

Bisley BS5E Filing Cabinet Flush-front 5-Drawer Goose Grey

H 1511mm (59.5″)

W 470mm (18.5″)

D 622mm (24.5″)

Features

• 7 year Bisley guarantee
• 100% extension drawers (0.56m linear capacity)
• Fully welded carcase without bolts or rivets for greater strength and cleaner line
• Backs and sides are pierced to enable units to be bolted together
• Filing cabinets can be fitted with compressor plates
• Mastered lock, 200 differs
• Approved to BS EN 14073: pts 2+3 & BS EN 14074

What’s more, when you buy through Office365, you get the best deals around – just compare our prices. Let’s not forget our price matching policy too! More Filing Cabinets stocked by Office365.

Bisley Office Furniture is a UK manufacturer of steel storage for the office. Operating from Bisley, Surrey and Newport, South Wales and employing nearly a thousand people, Bisley cabinets are renowned world wide.

Bisley realise that all manufacturing has some effect on the environment, especially that of steel. With this in mind they have made it their policy to make themselves aware of this and to conduct business in ways designed to reduce adverse effects and maximise favourable ones.

Their capital investment in plant and machinery has had a major impact on the efficient production of our products; state of the art machinery has reduced waste, improved quality and increased safety. All steel off-cuts and other scrap metal is recycled and manufacturing waste bi-products disposed of by licensed contractors.