A user-designed terminal table system

Abstract

With the introduction into the Dutch telecommunications service (PTT) of a large number of visual display units and printers as a consequence of the automation of a variety of applications, it became apparent that it was not possible to compose desired workstation lay-outs with the furniture currently in use, which, dated from the fifties; the need was apparent for a new, more up-to-date furniture. Several anthropometric and field studies with regard to the necessary adjustments and table-top shapes were performed. The results indicated that the adjustments could be restricted to one: the height of the table. The users considered shape and flexibility of the table-top very important: it should be possible to create an optimal configuration for each combination of VDU- and pen-and-paperwork. Market-research indicated that state-of-the-art furniture did not meet PTT requirements. It was therefore decided to design the table system in-house. However, because of logistical problems it was decided to call in one of the major Dutch furniture manufacturers for assistance, Gispen. The (almost complete) system is at present commercially available as the Gispen ET (‘Ergonomic Table’) System.