Then came technology. Computers cropped up on just about every desk and work moved from a horizontal plane to a vertical one, which prompted office furniture manufacturers to start thinking differently. The challenge was coming up with an innovative product that would be accepted by the masses. Her company's answer was If, which, like Steelcase's Pathways, is a transitional product line that works off of traditional, paneled cubicles. Think of them as training wheels for companies that either don't want to toss aside the investment already made in office furniture or are hesitant to make any radical design changes.
Companies can start conservative and transition to cutting edge.
We have to design something new. Companies, however, have been slow to embrace the new systems, said Rita Van, owner of Creative Office Designs Inc. in Troy. Office furniture officials find that change is even tougher to overcome than cost. I think people are going to hang onto rectilinear planning.