Flat screen monitors are the standard today with many people using dual screens for added productivity.  And while adjustable monitor arms are popular, the majority of end users still use a monitor with a fixed base much to their disadvantage.  Compared to the functionality and multiple benefits offered by adjustable arms, a fixed base actually ends up costing organizations valuable real estate space.

According to the CoreNet Global 2012 Survey, the average workspace per person nationwide decreased by 25% between 2008 and 2012 and is projected to shrink another 33% by 2017.  With advancing technology and communications changing how we work faster than ever before in history, the premium on workspace has never been greater.  As a result, we are asking people to do “more with less” in terms of their workspace.

From Dell to Acer to Samsung to LG to HP, the average fixed base is approximately 10″ x 8″.  The desk space taken up by the monitor’s base is essentially “dead”.  People further compound this issue by stacking random items under the monitor’s base in an effort to raise their monitor to the correct height.  In many cases like the photo below, the “extra” item has a larger footprint than the base itself creating further waste.

Using a “ream” of typing paper to boost the height of a fixed base monitor.

While some ergonomic check points are not intuitive by nature, getting your monitor height right is fairly easy as it’s partially based around keeping the cervical spine in a neutral position.  Given the weight of your head, your neck will quickly tell you when it’s out of position by the pain you feel.

Beyond the immediate space taken up by the monitor’s fixed base, the space behind the monitor is dead as well because it’s blocked by the monitor itself.  The photo below shows a common set up where the end-user has her monitors positioned based on them being the correct distance from her eyes.  The space behind is pretty much wasted as it’s not practical for her to reach around her monitors to access her desk.

The average cost of commercial real estate in the Dallas and Fort Worth area is $100 to $130 per square foot.  The scenario shown above is taking up several square feet and is costing the end-user $100’s in terms of their monthly real estate investment.  While a few $100 for one person may seem trivial, this organization has approximately 1000 employees at this location alone.  When applied to larger numbers, the costs can become significant.

So what’s the solution?  The photos below show a dual adjustable monitor arm with a grommet mount.  This allows the arm to be strategically positioned on the desk to maximize the end-user’s needs.  I personally installed this unit and worked with the end-user to ensure that we placed the arm in the ideal position for her body.  The second photo shows the completed install and a much “cleaner” solution than what she originally had.

The following are the benefits gained from the new
Willow Dual Wide Adjustable Arm:

• Better utilization of horizontal desk space (think real estate)
• The adjustable arm’s base is roughly half the size of your average fixed base furthering the real estate space savings.
• Monitors now have the functionality of being positioned exactly where the end-user desires both in terms of vertical and horizontal considerations.
• Able to locate the monitors face on with the existing keyboard platform mounted in the corner of the desk & return.  Note the original positioning had the monitors located to the right creating neck strain.  Due to the fixed bases, this was the best the end-user could do.
• A workspace that now allows the end-user to approximate the ideal positions supported by the ergonomics industry.

Closing Thoughts for My Readers:

In today’s work environment, the attention given to providing proper ergonomic workspaces for employees has never been greater.  If you have doubts or questions about your current ergonomic set up, please don’t hesitate to reach out for help.  As a Territory Sales Manager for Workrite Ergonomics and Certified Ergonomics Assessment Specialist, I do assessments for my clients on a regular basis and always welcome new opportunities to serve.