If you want proof that the paperless office does not yet exist, take a look at my office. Books, papers, and file folders abound as do media like CD-ROMs. The good news is that there are multiple storage options available for paper-intensive offices to stash these materials.

To begin with, there are the familiar file cabinets. This type of storage comes in vertical and lateral configurations and are ideal for storing hanging file folders. You also have your choice of two- or four-drawer designs.

When shopping, look for file cabinets that are made with a metal that is strong enough to withstand the daily abuse they can receive. In addition, check how much weight can be held in the drawer. The drawer can should be able to smoothly roll in and out of the cabinet when fully loaded with files. Also, for safety's sake, only one drawer should be able to be opened at a time to avoid tipping.

If your office relies greatly on file folders that are retrieved daily, open shelving may be your best bet. This type of shelving allows files to be readily accessed and stored by multiple users simultaneously. It also saves time, eliminating the need to open and close drawers. Offices that have a lot of files may find that a movable bi-file or tri-file shelving system to be the right storage system for their needs.

Short on office space? Try vertical carousel cabinets. With this storage design, shelves rotate like a Ferris wheel, allowing you to utilize space above chest level for storage. This type of system also eliminates the need to stoop or stand on ladders to reach your files. These systems can even be computerized for automated file retrieval.

Also consider mobile shelving, which is also known as compact shelving. This type of shelving consists of movable platforms upon which you place your storage units. These platforms are placed right next to each other, eliminating permanent space-hogging aisle space. When you want to access a specific shelf, you simply push a button or turn a crank so the platforms can part to create an aisle. This type of shelving is excellent for optimizing space and can save 50 percent of the available space needed.

For those who would like to lock away materials that are not suited for a file cabinet, like CD-ROMs, there are times-two rotary cabinets. These cabinets work much like a lazy susan, with different storage components you can choose from depending on the type of units you need to store.

Pricing begins in the hundreds of dollars and can quickly range into the thousands of dollars for more sophisticated systems. Mobile shelving systems will also require a visit from a structural engineer to assess your workspace and make sure your flooring can support the weight that it will need to bear.

With the right storage system in place, your office can be the model of efficiency even before the paperless office arrives.