One of the most daunting tasks you can face when buying new products for your office is choosing the right paper shredder. There are a lot of things you need to consider when buying a product such as this, especially because this sort of gadget can have a big impact on your privacy and reputation. So, if you re wondering what you need to think about when buying a paper shredder such as the Dahle 20396, here are the five questions you need to ask yourself.
1. How much do I need to shred? The 20396 is marketed as a high capacity shredder and it definitely is. This machine can shred between 38 and 43 sheets of a paper at once, meaning it could potentially shred over 20,000 sheets in single day. The 20396 has a 16 inch feed opening that can accept letter and legal sized paper, credit cards, staples, and paper clips. That makes this machine perfect for offices that need a machine that can shred a lot.
2. How much security do I need? The number one reason people use a paper shredder is because they need to keep their private information private. They desire to keep their financial information, Social Security Number, and other sensitive data out of the grimy mitts of people who are looking to steal another person s identity. Therefore, it s important to choose an item with the appropriate amount of security. The 20396 has a Level Three rating, so it s great for destroying confidential office documents, medical information, and personnel files.
3. What features are available? This unit has several automatic features. The first is auto reverse which ejects paper in the event of an overfeed, thus preventing a paper jam. The 20396 will also let you know when you need to empty the waste compartment and it will turn itself on when it detects paper in the throat. A handy, built in storage shelf is available on the front of the machine, as well. And you can also purchase Dahle s automatic oiler if you want to eliminate the need for oiling the machine yourself.
4. How will this machine fit into my office? The 20396 weighs about 400 pounds and is almost four feet tall. (It has a 50 gallon waste compartment, hence the size.) Therefore, this isn t a deskside shredder, but it would be perfect if it was situated next to a communal photocopier or printer. This unit is also very quiet, so it won t disturb your employees.
5. What s the warranty like? When you spend a lot of money on something, you want to make sure you re getting the best machine available. Dahle is well known for making durable, long lasting machines and they always stand behind them with generous warranties. This shredder has a two year warranty on parts and workmanship, as well as a phenomenal lifetime warranty on the cutting mechanism.
The Dahle 20396 is a great paper shredder that can help your protect your company s private data. Now that you know which five questions you need to ask yourself before buying a machine like this, you will be able to make the right choice.
Author Resource:
Jeff McRitchie is the designer and Director of Marketing for http://www.mybinding.com .He has written over 500 articles on binding machines,binding covers,binders,laminators,binding supplies,laminating supplies,paper handling equipments,index tabs, and shredders.