It boasts innovative and environmentally-friendly design, modern comfortable seating areas, areas to relax and read newspapers and magazines, as well as areas for quiet study and places to play and learn for younger and older children.

Information on the background of this project was that DHL was looking to modernise its control tower with a very contemporary but cutting edge interactive media wall system which would allow DHL to be in complete control of monitoring and displaying all of its services throughout the UK and Europe, if not Worldwide.

Phase 1:

The first phase being Unique Design was to come up with a layout that would incorporate a high-tech media system /support team and meeting areas so during the consultation period, a design and layout was approved based on our 3D images and office walk through which allowed DHL to see what the project would look like before any work was due to commence

Phase 2:

Working within a six week programme Unique Interiors was to completely strip out their old West Thurrock control tower from ceilings partitioning, carpets etc. So we went right back to bare walls.

The second part of phase 2 was the complete refurbishment. New suspended ceiling with low energy spot lights, new power and data relocated to new positions, painting and decorating to give a modern and up to date appearance and carpeting to add warmth and colour within this design.

Phase 3:

Unique Office Solutions working to a tight furniture programme was to install the control desking and command centre with full cable management to incorporate the cabling that was required in this

high-tech office and for comfort, the Unique Syba Chair with full ergonomics for body support due to the long hours members of staff would be working in this environment.

The heartbeat of this office would be the new hyper wall interactive system but before that could be installed, the storage wall that would house this system would need to be installed first and this was no ordinary storage wall system as this had to house some eight 46″ high definition interlocking Samsung televisions and ten pc’s. Attention to detail is an understatement because we would only be given one chance in making sure the new media hyper wall system would fit and work

Phase 4:

Unique Network Solutions were to come up with a complete IT Solution that DHL would be able to incorporate and add to its own service data base and pc’s throughout the whole of the company.

After weeks of consultations and samples being provided the hyper wall system was chosen as this met all of DHL’s requirements in moving their business forward.

Overview:

The DHL control tower project was completed within a six week programme from start date using the Unique Group as a one complete solution with our project management team on site throughout, this allowed a smooth and controlled refurbishment programme allowing DHL to continue full operations throughout the refurbishment, which was key to the success of this project.

Unique’s Care and Retirement Furniture Collection has been part of the Unique Group Product range for nearly 15 years. This exclusive range of furniture which includes bedroom suites, activity rooms, dining suites and reception areas to name but a few, are designed to meet today’s requirements for the Care and Retirement markets.
The Unique Group has, for almost 10 years, been a supplier on one of the most prestigious framework agreements in London and the South East, The LCSG  (London Contracts Supply Group). We are the only manufacturer and supplier to have been awarded this contract for the third term running, with all of the accreditations you would expect when looking for your furniture supplier.
Without compromising on design and quality, this exclusive range of care home furniture would add value to any project. Our design and sales team have years of experience and would welcome the opportunity of creating and project managing new and refurbished care homes and retirement properties.

So why not give Unique Care a call on 0208 500 2121 for a free of charge visit by one of our Care Home and Retirement representatives or view our catalogue online now by click here.

including the deadly MRSA, salmonella and E.coli, and it goes on killing them for the lifetime of the lacquer – as long as 10 years!

Already used in hospitals, care homes, nurseries, offices and in consumers’ homes, Hygienilac is providing that extra protection that clients and consumers are looking for.

The Science

How does Hygienilac Work?

Hygienilac prevents the bacteria’s access to nutrients so they starve and die. It has a kill rate of 99.9 per cent over a 24 hr period.

What tests have been done?

Approved by the FDA, HSE EPA – and BS6250 certified.

Tested by Bodycote Lawlabs against a range of bacteria and by FDAS against C difficile.
Hygienilac has received a point 3 award from the NHS Infection Control Rapid Review Panel (Surface Coating Category).

What bacteria does it work against?

Staphylococcus aureus Methicillin-Resistant Strain (MRSA); Listeria monocytogenes; Clostridium difficile; staphylococcus aureus; salmonella enteriditis; klebsiella pneumoniae; aspergillus niger; pseudomonas aeruginosa; penicillium purpurogenum; bacillus cereus; saccharmyces cerevisiae; Escherichia coli.

With hospital acquired infections on the increase, including highly resistant superbugs like MRSA, cleanliness in hospitals and care homes is a continuing cause for concern. Recent Government initiatives aim to get on top of this problem but there is one area where a solution has already been found Hospitals and Care Homes.

Up to now there has been nothing to provide long term protection of furniture and surfaces from
antibiotic resistant bacteria. Now, a new biocidal wood lacquer, Hygienilac, could provide a
breakthrough in helping prevent bacteria from proliferating on furniture and surfaces.

Developed by Kettering based Premier Finishes, a specialist coatings company, It is the only product of its kind that can provide long term protection against antibiotic resistant bacteria, including MRSA, for the lifetime of the lacquer – which could be as long as 10 years.

Hygienilac is believed to be the first biocidially proactive lacquer to be produced in the UK and it has been independently certified by one of the most respected microbiological labs in the UK, Bodycote Lawlabs in Birmingham.

So when you are next planning a refurbishment in your hospital or care home, specify Hygienilac wood lacquer for all your furniture and fittings.

What Are The Test Results?

Clostridium difficile                         99.9% reduction after 24 hours
Staphylococcus aureus                     99.9% reduction after 24 hours
Methycillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)         99.9% reduction after 24 hours
Salmonella entiridis                         99.9% reduction after 24 hours
Klebsiella pneumoniae                     99.9% reduction after 24 hours
Aspergillus niger                         99.9% reduction after 24 hours
Pseudomonas aeruginosa                     99.9% reduction after 24 hours
Penicillium purpurogenum                     99.9% reduction after 24 hours
Bacillus cereus                         99.9% reduction after 24 hours
Saccharmyces cerivisiae                     99.9% reduction after 24 hours
Escherichia coli                         99.9% reduction after 24 hours

has the sole aim of becoming the best I.T. services practice in the region, by offering unparalleled customer service, coupled with a full understanding of our customer’s organisational needs.

Our technicians are committed to making sure your I.T. systems are kept operating according to your personalised service agreement, and you are free to run your business.

Our consultants are dedicated to understanding your organisation, and providing you with a truly valuable relationship that helps you maximise your I.T. and achieve your businesses aims.

When you engage Unique Network Solutions to support your I.T., or assist your in-house staff, you can concentrate on achieving your business goals.

The study, entitled Productivity and Multi-Screen Displays examines how multiple monitor configurations increase user productivity and usability. Traditionally used by professionals in the financial or graphics industry, multi-monitor computing is becoming an affordable and effective solution to the increasingly demanding computing scenarios faced by employees in mainstream corporate America. Providing users with the ability to access more information and images simultaneously, multiple monitor configurations allow for more efficient multi-tasking between applications.

“The study reveals multi-screen users get on task quicker, work faster and get more work done with fewer errors editing documents, spreadsheets, and graphic files in comparison with single screen users,” said Dr. James Anderson, professor at the University of Utah’s Department of Communication. “The technology required to support multi-monitor computing is not only affordable, it has become standard within operating systems and LCD displays. Multiple monitor configurations are poised to become the new standard in the workplace.”

By enabling users to work between multiple applications and resolving the need to view and process a multitude of information sources simultaneously, multiple monitor configurations allow users to move and size a variety of information and images across any or all screens to increase productivity. Overall respondents in the study were 10 percent more productive using multiple monitor set ups.

Multi-monitor computing can impact a company’s ROI, when considering the value of errorless work. The study results show that respondents increased their errorless production by 18 percent using multi-screen configurations. In addition, prices of LCD monitors are projected to decline significantly over the next five years which will further increase the ROI.

Additionally, multi-monitor configurations can positively impact employee morale, making users feel more comfortable with their ability to complete tasks by allowing for quick navigation and higher task focus. Participants in the study considered multi-screen configurations significantly more useful than single screens and preferred multiple monitor setups on every measure of usability. They found them 29 percent more effective for tasks, 24 percent more comfortable to use in tasks and found it 39 percent easier to move around sources of information.

The Move Toward Multi-Monitor Computing

Organizations can realize significant gains in productivity by simply implementing multiple monitor computing in any situation where multiple screens of information are an ordinary part of daily work. Compared to other technology upgrades, multi-monitor computing has an extremely low learning curve and does not require the significant training investment that companies typically face when implementing a new technology. LCD monitors take up considerably less desk space than the now redundant CRT monitor and with the use of carefully placed monitor arms can take up no desk space at all. In the UK Colebrook Bosson Saunders Ltd supply an extensive range of versatile monitor arms through Unique Office Solutions Ltd.

Task efficiencies resulting from multi-monitor computing is apparent in a number of application conditions. The act of  transferring edits from one draft to another is made simple in a multi-screen configuration where the two documents can be arranged in parallel configuration so that both texts are in full view without any reduction in size. The user can easily confirm the placement of edits through direct observations. Large spreadsheets can be viewed across all the screens in their entirety, allowing the data entry operator to track the proper row of entry. This allows spreadsheets to be accessed completely and manipulated with a full view of the results. Even seemingly simple tasks like proofreading are enhanced by multi-screen displays and eliminate the need to print pages of copy by editing directly in slide, spreadsheet and text applications.

“Extending the benefits of greater screen real estate through multi-monitor computing is a natural next step for corporations whose employees rely heavily on computers for dayto- day tasks,’ says Chris Connery, director of marketing and product line management for NEC-Mitsubishi Electronics Display of America. “Displaying onscreen information over more than one monitor can significantly increase productivity and LCD displays are ideal for use in multi-monitor configurations with their reduced footprint, space and energy requirements.”

After 15 years of trading it is achieving an annual turnover of £10 million, offering turnkey solutions in both the office furniture and computing/networking arenas. In addition to manufacturing and supplying a wide range of desking, seating and storage the group also offers an in- house CAD design facility and a full interior design and consultancy service to create layouts and supply products to suit.

Using the combined skills of its sales and support personnel Unique offers clients an all embracing approach to refurbishment of large and small offices alike. All aspects of refurbishment are catered for including partitioning, air conditioning, flooring, ceilings and lighting. School or college classroom and staff room fit outs, ICT suites, Break out areas, all fit into Unique’s remit. Care Homes too benefit from this expertise as Unique supply bedroom, office and coffee room equipment for both upgrades and new build. Making refurbishment a manageable and organised project is not a problem to Unique; the customer support team is focused on providing excellent service and will always be there to assist.

Unique Office Solutions now manufactures its own IQ range of bench and beam option desks and worktables plus a wide range of seating. A 5000 square feet showroom close to London and the M25 in the London Borough of Redbridge displays current ranges and is open during normal business hours for anyone to visit. Products available include furniture for all types of commercial use from a wide range of major manufacturers.

The group’s parent company founded in 1995 sold office furniture and IT solutions. In 2002 the IT side of the business was separated from the furniture business; Unique Network Solutions with its own skilled systems engineers was able to specialise and hone its expertise towards providing tailored IT solutions with both on site and remote support for its growing client base leaving the parent company to concentrate on its furniture expertise. A close business relationship has been maintained between the two companies ever since, working together to provide an unrivalled service to the combined customer base.

In addition to being capable of handling the largest of contracts the group is set up in such a way that it is able to offer any client, large or small, a one stop solution for all their office needs.

Credentials:

Unique achieved ISO 9001 status in 2008 and ISO 14001 in 2010.
FIRA certification to BS EN527 and BS 6396 along with FSC & PEFC chain of custody certification has been achieved for the IQ furniture range.

CLICK HERE TO SEE OUR ACCREDITATION CERTIFICATES

CLICK HERE TO SEE OUR ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY

CLICK HERE TO SEE OUR HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY

Having achieved the Quality Standard ISO 9001 certification in December 2008 the company has recently been awarded ISO 14001 for its Environmental policies and procedures.

“This is the result of a great deal of hard work on the part of our management team” said Managing Director Tony Copping in an interview after the announcement in May this year. “Their dedication to staff training and improving our procedures has been the key factor in achieving these accreditations” he went on to say.

Unique has strengthened numerous areas of its public image over a relatively short period. Some of the other initiatives and challenges undertaken will be the subject of further announcements on this website.

You may not be aware that 98% of office work stations sold in Holland and the Scandinavian Countries,

such as, Sweden, Finland, Denmark and Norway are all height adjustable. This is something that has been going on throughout Europe for nearly a decade and has now slowly, over the past two or three years been introduced into the UK market.

Asyou read this article, The European Directive on Health and Safety at work section Art 137 is being updated. Unique believe the updated European Directive will include a recommendation that all work stations within the office environment must have full height adjustment either manually or with electronic controls.

Here at Unique we are always looking to bring new products to the market and have had height adjustable desking in our range for the past five years. Working with our design teams we have now brought out a new range of desking and work benching Quantum which includes full height adjustment. Not only does it comply with the DDA Regulations as well as having the ergonomic benefits allowing a user to sit or stand it is also in full compliance with the New European Directive.

Height adjustment work stations will bring benefits to your employees and also to you the employer by adding value in all areas of your organisation.