Are you confused about what type of paper shredder to buy? There are undoubtedly a lot to choose from, but the most commonly used office machines are either strip cut or cross cut paper shredders.
Paper Shredder Cutting Blades
Each have their own advantages and disadvantages, so once you know what these are, you will quickly be able to decide which one is best for you. Here’s what you need to know.
Cost: Strip cut machines are less expensive than a cross cut paper shredder. This is primarily because the technology used in strip cut shredders is not as complex as that in their cross cut counterparts.
Capacity: Emptying the paper shredder is a fact of life in any busy office, but you will spend less time bagging shredded paper if you invest in a cross cut paper shredder. This is because the shredded paper it produces is smaller in size and takes up less space than the long strips from a strip cut machine.
Speed: Generally speaking, strip cut shredders are faster because they only make one continuous cut on the paper and they allow you to shred more sheets at once. The bi-directional cuts made on a cross cut paper shredder are not slow, but on a like for like machine, they are defintiely not as quick. They also cannot take as many sheets at one time because the blades produce more resistance and need a more manageable intake.
Security: Without a doubt, a cross cut shredder is more secure than a strip cut shredder. If you were to try to reassemble a shredded document, it would be significantly harder if you were starting with small cross cut shreds. Government agencies insist on cross cut shredders for this very reason, as do many security conscious businesses.
Maintenance: Keeping your shredder in peak condition literally means that it needs to run like a well-oiled machine. Strip cut shredders need oiled after about 60 minutes of continuous use, while cross cut shredders need oiled after every 30 minutes, and sometimes more often than that. However, shredder oil is relatively inexpensive, and you can install an Automatic Oiler to ensure that this is less of a chore around the office.
So, when choosing between these two types of shredders, it is less of about which one is best, and more about which one is best for you. A cross cut paper shredder is a popular choice, but there is still a lot to be said for strip cut shredders.
Dahle paper shredders are recognized the world over for their quality and reliability, so why not take a look at the models we stock to see which ones meet the needs of your organization.
No matter what type of paper shredder you buy to destroy documents, there is always a need to have previously stored the documents in a proper file cabinet. The storage of your vital business documents is a very important part of business continuity and operations. Without office documents such as customer records, customer history, financials and other critical information it is very important to safeguard these records for business use today and in the event of a disaster.
Office Furniture and File Cabinets
Most businesses today still require paper documents or hard copies of contracts, leases, litigation records and more. Because of the sensitive nature of these documents is of great importance to protect from both theft and fire. If your office were to experience a record loss from fire, would you be able to recover the documents? Would you be able to keep your business alive if a catastrophic document loss occurred? Most documents reside in standard metal file cabinets; however it is an important consideration to choose a fireproof file cabinet.
If you answered “no,” or don’t know if your file cabinets have a fire rating you should immediately re-evaluate your document storage policy and procedure. Standard metal file cabinet brands will not protect paper documents during a fire and all paper records will be lost.
USED Storage Cabinets vs. Factory Seconds or Scratch & Dent
Fireproof filing cabinets come in a variety of sizes, widths and UL fire ratings. Used cabinets are available at a discount prices and it’s easy to source the cheapest prices online. One option that appeals to many small business owners are Factory 2nd’s or “Scratch and Dent” file cabinets. These fire files are like new with the occasional scratch, paint chip or dent. They function just like a brand new fire file EXCEPT they are a fraction of the cost.
Much like buying surplus or used office furniture you benefit from a lower out of pocket expense and a great return on your investment. Remember there is a difference between a cabinet that has been used and abused and a Factory Second. The old adage “you get what you pay for” still holds true in this example – a used fireproof file cabinet may not have drawers that function correctly or locks that work properly. A Factory Second file cabinet has never been used, it simply cannot be sold as new due to the scratches, dents or paint chips.
Vertical and Lateral File Cabinets
We carry a full line of used fireproof file cabinets and can assist you with a wide variety of office furniture needs.
For more information call Toll Free 1-866-867-0306
While there is no standard for shredding confidential documents such as credit applications, there are several general guidelines or best business practices that mitigate risk and improve customer confidence in your organization.
Cross Cut- Choose a shredder that cross cuts the documents making them more difficult to read. It is also advised that you stir the shredded paper to make it more difficult to reassemble
Develop a Process and System – Create a well defined system for destroying confidential documents or credit applications. This will ensure you mitigate the most risk and improve customer relationships by building confidence and trust.
3 Reason to Shred
1. Protect Your Company from Identity Theft and Fraud - shredding documents is more than just an easy way to reduce paper volume in the office, it also helps protect from identity theft! According to research in 2006, there were 67,000 victims of identity theft. Remember that thieves can’t steal documentation that they can’t read!
2. Improve Trust and Integrity – By keeping business materials confidential you build a better relationship with your clients confidential and important information. By shredding credit applications and bank information your customers know that you value their information and want to ensure that there is no chance of a security risk.
3. Help the Environment - Recycling paper is a primary concern for all businesses today and now it’s easier than every to recycle!
If your company falls under a federal regulation such as HIPAA, Gramm- Leach Bliley, SOX or FACTA there may be other preferred or regulated procedures for document destruction that must be followed. Please consult your facilities security manager or boss.
In short, shredding credit applications is a simple process that is well worth the investment.