Archive for the ‘education technology solutions’ Category

Paragon Top Picks: School Furniture Resources Online

05//31//2011 //Mark Hubbard

Top School Furniture Resources OnlineSeems like the “smartest” folks we often know are the same folks who have the greatest internal and external resources.  Only a couple decades ago, only the hives with the largest stockpiles of honey could afford access.  But now, with all these incredible advancements in technology, the honeycomb has been leveled to such a degree that virtually all of us have an unfettered flight path directly to some of the richest information resources imaginable. At Paragon, we RELY on the ability to mine the very best ideas available…many of which bubble up from within our talent pool…and many of which come from customers, suppliers, competitors, product testers, industry reporters, and many more.  For those you who honor us with your patronage, we thought you might like to see some of the resources we consider most useful in our day-in/day-out activities here at Paragon.  Check these links out and we’re sure you’ll find the nectar just as sweet (alright…alright…I’m done with the whole honeybee metaphor…I only did it to show my retired teacher mother that I paid attention in her class…once).  Beezout!

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Tilting the Machine

06//04//2010 //Mark Hubbard

Paragon Furniture Blog - Tilting the MachineEvery day, we see value-added resellers of Paragon Furniture use very robust, Web enabled software to level the playing field. Providers like Powered by OI have developed Web enabled software, enabling small to mid-sized furniture dealers, devoid of their own proprietary applications, to execute project management like the biggest commercial furniture dealers in the world. Turn-key, project management dealers like Contrax Furnishings have invested significantly in their own Web-based planning and procurement tools to serve as portals for both vendors and end-users.

Specifically, smaller to mid-sized furniture dealers now have a cost effective enterprise platform to manage a customer’s use of space, specification of FF&E, proposal creation, order to vendor, and delivery and installation methods. As operating efficiencies are achieved, margins are improved and more value is delivered to the end-user.

From the supplier perspective, Web enabled software allows us to quickly add and/or update product information in SIF format to virtually all users simultaneously. Too, changes in pricing to resellers can be dynamic. Preloaded software serves as a Trojan Horse for many suppliers …delivering their product inside the walls of many resellers who otherwise may have no awareness.

The race is on to see which Web based tool(s) will become the standard for furniture planning. For all of us in the trade, the question isn’t if Web centric processes offer extraordinary advantages to end-user, dealer, and vendor. The question is: which FF&E management product and service will deliver the greatest value.

The Gravity of the Situation

05//05//2010 //Steve Pryor

The Gravity of the SituationThey say that Isaac Newton was first inspired to study the effect of gravity while watching an apple fall while sitting under an apple tree.  Apparently, he didn’t get outside very often.  Considering he was never married, there was probably no need to make an excuse to leave the house.  Judging by the picture, he spent most of his time brushing his hair in the mirror.

The CEO of Bretford, Dave Petrick, once said that “the sole purpose of  our product was to keep stuff off the floor.”  Yes…find something to keep off the floor and there was likely a furniture solution to solve it.

So, here we find ourselves today.  Still fighting gravity.  Still trying to keep stuff off the floor.  It comes down to this:

I/A = Paragon Furniture

Item/Application= Paragon Furniture

Just think of what you are using (laptops, computers, books, lab equipment), know your application (storage, classroom, collaborative learning, computer lab) and you will always find a solution at www.paragoninc.com!

Now imagine what would have happened if tree chopping George Washington had been Isaac Newtons neighbor?  We would be talking about how birds inspired the study of gravity…and dry cleaning.

Ideas: the currency in which we trade

04//23//2010 //Mark Hubbard

LEARN-IT school desk with accessory bookboxEvery now and then great ideas come along.  You know, like Heaven, Vegas, hair bands, and funnel cakes.  Man, those are real eureka moments when you discover practical uses for those ideas.  It’s sweeter still to not only benefit from great ideas but to catch that productive spark thrown from the mind’s Catherine Wheel and be the origin of them.

As product makers, we’re sustained by turning our ideas into solutions.  Doing so keeps us light on our feet and leaning into the creative trade winds.  We also rely largely on the ideas of our customer; these are the folks with the practical knowledge of what does and doesn’t work in the real world. 

Every time I pass through our showroom and see the new INTUitIVe by Paragon table series (aka “it”), I am reminded that the secret spring to product success is coiled around design, durability, and function.   Our LEARN-IT school desk, for example, couples great looks and hardiness in a 14 gauge steel, custom milled 2×1 ¾” “D-round” leg tube shape, 1 ¼” thick 45lb medium density particle board top core material, and riveted aluminum end cap.  Function imbues LEARN-IT with our patent pending glass nylon bezel sleeve with 8 points of contact within leg insert. 

Recently, we developed a 16 gauge perforated steel book/laptop storage compartment in two vertical depths that can be used with our LEARN-IT (picture shown), TEAM-IT, COLLABORATE-IT, and COMPUTE-IT.   We don’t distinguish these days between a classroom and the ol’ computer lab.  Instead, we see learning spaces where computing is as common as a no. 2 pencil and the Swingline stapler.  We’re experimenting with different paints for this accessory…matching with plastic chair…a look we haven’t seen much.

From elementary schools and college campuses to office environments, Paragon’s eco friendly school furniture is delivering lifetime warranty solutions.  So, here’s another great idea:  Check out our INTUitIVE series where you’ll see furniture moving forward!