Magnatag: Continuous Visible Communication
While looking for a nice 4x6 card file, I re-discovered Magnatag, which makes custom magnetic whiteboard solutions. It's not the sort of thing that you see in your everyday office, as their products are geared toward specialized applications: engineering projects, print run management, inventory, and so on.
They have some interesting stuff...here's a small sampler:
Check out this modular infinite calendar system...sweet! Goes month-to-month!
Or just have a WHOLE YEAR mounted in convenient swinging-door fashion, right on your wall, with their SwingView system!
Yum...index card storage! Unfortunately, this CardView solution appears to use proprietary 3x4" cards. But it's a great idea!
The FileView Wall Filing System. OMG THIS IS THE FILE FOLDER STORAGE SYSTEM I WANT!!! Vertical, mounted on the wall, compact, with everything in view. YUM.
The Grip-A-Sheet is a lot like the check rail I got, except this one uses a transparent gripping mechanism (patented, even). You can see everything on the page. On my check rail, the top 3/4" is obscured. I even like the name :-) It comes in a variety of lengths, and seems pretty reasonably priced compared to regular check rails.
The RotoGraph is a SCROLLING infinite project planning GANTT-style chart for engineering project management! SUH-WEET!
When one magnetic whiteboard isn't enough, build an entire room from them.
Apparently Magnatag has been a family-owned business for 40 years...I'd like to find out more about the founder. You can't buy their products in stores, so you have to order online or by phone. I already have my catalog on the way :-) As a bonus, the company is located in upstate NY, an area of the country I am rather fond of.
I haven't actually seen or used any of their products, so this is just a heads up to anyone out there who is on the prowl for cool office gear :-)
UPDATE NOVEMBER 27, 2006: Magnatag's PR company arranged for an email interview with the founder, excerpted in this post. It's at the end of the post.
