Everything you need to know about desk IT storage

Your desk IT storage setup matters. Whether you use multiple large tower PCs, mini PCs, or remote processing with thin clients there'll be a PC cabinet for you.

Full cable management, secure locking, noise control, and easy access are just some of the benefits on offer.

A well-designed storage unit keeps IT equipment integrated neatly into your desk. Cables and power sockets are handily stored in the cabinet along with the PCs.

Whether you work in an office, trading floor or control room, having the right PC storage makes all the difference. With this guide we can help you select your perfect IT solution.

What kind of desk IT storage do I need?

The first thing to consider is how many PCs your desk has and whether this number is likely to change over time. If you’re using mini PCs or remote processing this will also influence the type of storage you use.

The different types of enclosure available are:

Full PC enclosure

These can hold up to eight PCs. Often they are shared between two users sitting at back-to-back desks. They should have ‘toe space’ underneath so you can sit comfortably. A larger number of PCs requires good cable management. A flexible plastic cable chain to house the cables works nicely.

video showing trading desk pc housing options

Dynamic PC Housing

This type of enclosure holds up to 2 PCs. A great advantage is that it can be used with a sit-stand desk. Raising the desk provides seated IT access (so no more getting onto your knees under a desk!). Other advantages are: standard monitor cable lengths can be specified and IT such as power sockets, data, RCDs and cabling can be located and managed in this one housing.

trading desk with dynamic pc housing two pcs — Dynamic PC housing option. up to two PCs in a cable managed housing

Expanding PC housing

This is a flexible solution. If the number of PCs required changes over time, an expanding enclosure is the best option. It can house up to 2 PCs per user. A trolley which houses the cables can also expand to meet your requirements.

video showing expanding pc housing

Mini PC / Remote processing

This option is similar to the dynamic PC housing but with a smaller housing to suit small form factor PCs, mini PCs (rack mounted or freestanding) or remote processing clients.

remote client or mini PC closed — Dynamic PC housing…

remote mini PC housing — ,,,for small form factor, Mini PCs or remote processing clients

Freestanding PC cabinet

As well as locating PCs within the desk, another solution for storing IT is a freestanding PC cabinet. These cabinets are usually desktop height and can be designed to also incorporate racking for network switches and patch panels. Quick release vented doors with top/rear venting can also be specified with a further heat management option in the form of thermally controlled ventilation fans.

Quick release doors with integral IT racking — Quick release doors with optional IT racking

Freestanding PC/rack server IT cabinet with temperature controlled fan assisted rear flue

What are your cable storage needs?

A CPU enclosure housing one or more PCs will need a robust cable management system. As well as having adequate space, cable storage needs to be accessible. Sliding desktops can give access to the cable tray. PC trolley cable management chains allow quick release connection. These make user moves and changes simpler.

The cables must be discreetly stored so that they don’t get in the way or look unsightly. A range of cable management designs can help achieve this.

a trading desk with full cable management — Trading desk with full cable management

Ventilation - how are computers kept from overheating?

Air vents on the doors and underside of the cabinets allow cool air into the enclosure. Air warmed by the PCs rises through a flue on the top of the enclosure. Incorporating thermally controlled ventilation fans into the desk design further assists cooling.

air cooling in a trading desk with multiple PCs — Heat management options with multiple PCs

Desk IT storage ergonomics

Are you working long hours in a high-pressure environment? If so, ergonomically designed equipment will help your well-being and focus. The cabinet must have enough space beneath it to allow you to stretch out your legs comfortably. A full PC enclosure should have plenty of toe space for this. Dynamic, expanding and remote processing solutions allow even more leg room.

IT storage also needs to be designed to make adjustments simple. It should allow easy access to the rear of the PCs and roll out PC trolleys. Other options such as sliding desktops can also give quick access to IT equipment.

Integrating technology

In a trading floor environment with multiple PCs, the equipment should be easily accessible and ergonomic. Power sockets can be mounted onto the rear of the PC trolley. The PC trolley cable chain is also integrated, so no messy tangle of cables when the PC trolley is rolled out.

Roll out PC trolley with power sockets and cable management

Design and customisation

Control room or trading desk IT storage needs to be tough. It should be constructed from hard wearing steel. This durability ensures that the enclosures can withstand long hours of use.

A desk with an integral PC housing can be produced in a variety of colours to match your workplace’s interior design. It can also be made lockable for additional security.

LED lighting inside the cabinet makes accessing your computer even easier. The lighting comes on when the enclosure door is opened.

Features and Benefits

Allows you to have multiple PCs conveniently stored beneath your desk
Comes in a variety of formats to adapt to your needs. For example, expanding housing can be adapted as the number of PCs required changes
A PC enclosure also houses cabling and sockets. This helps create a tidy workspace with no messy tangled cables
Air vents and fans keep IT equipment cool
Ergonomically designed to allow for leg room

Things to consider

Size and number of PCs - this is especially relevant when choosing a trading desk PC enclosure
Cable management - does the PC enclosure have enough space to contain the cables from your IT equipment?
Colour and finish - different colours and finishes are available to match your office environment
Desk IT storage accessibility - Is it easy to get to the IT equipment? Technical staff need simple access to, say, a trading desk PC cabinet. In a high pressure environment IT issues need fixing quickly.

Are you looking for a desk with an integral PC enclosure for your business? Then look no further than the range we stock at Technology Desking!