A history of Color Code Filing in the US.
End tab filing (shelf filing) began to replace top tab filing (drawer filling) in large institutions such as the government and hospitals after the 2nd world war. The first color code system was colored folders. 10 standard colored folders were introduced. Each letter or number was represented by one of the 10 colors. Letter A, J, and T were the same color. Likewise B, K, & U were the 2nd color and so forth. That means that every file with a name beginning with one these three letters was the same color. Well, this worked for small systems but for larger number of files it was pretty much useless in finding misfiles. So the 2nd step was to put little black labels on the end tab, in descending positions, to represent the 2nd letter or number. This created 25 or so divisions in each group of colored folders. You now had 1,000 smaller filing groups instead of 10.
Tab Products Corp. was the first to come up with using manila folders (less expensive) and applying self-adhesive colored labels. For smaller filing systems two or three alpha or numeric labels were used. For larger filing systems, numer labels were preferred. Up to 8 labels would be used on each file. This created 10,000,000 divisions in a file room.
To simplify retrieving files and to eliminate the constant moving of files (as the number of files grows or as files become inactive) filing methods like Terminal Digit and Birthday Based filing systems were combined with Alpha and Numeric filing. If you are considering these options, call me for advice. 1-800-426-2782 Ken Jones, MPH, MS.
Tab's system was an economical and effective filing system but only available from Tab Products and their sales people. It didn't take long for companies like Barkley, Smead, Tabbies, and Jeter to begin making color code labels.
Each company created one or more unique, branded new color systems. The rush was to get as many new customers, as possible, using your particular color code system. I used to say that what these companies were selling was nothing but Indentured Loyalty. Whichever color code system you purchased, you were obligated to return to that same company every time to purchase replacement labels.
A big change in the industry came when companies began to make, not only their own brand of labels, but also compatible labels for other company's color code systems. About this same time there was an explosion of new color code systems on the market. Everyone was trying to keep ahead of the copy cat companies making compatible labels. Some of the new systems were very nearly the same as existing ones. Maybe a slightly different color, size, or shape, but very similar otherwise. You can see the confusion this has caused today. Five different systems with a red "A". Other letter A labels are dark blue, or green, yellow, orange, light blue, purple, black, etc.
Today, the first question is "where can I find the correct labels" and who has the best customer service and will make sure that "I receive the correct label every time I order".
Amazon, the internet, office supply stores, and websites, local filing systems dealers, and maybe even your brother-in-law is selling color code labels. Nearly 100% send you exactly what you order from their catalog or website. They make no effort to verify that your order is consistent with previous orders, making sure that what you are ordering is correct.
Coastal Office Systems and AllStarFiling have been around since 1980. We have lived through most of the major changes in End Tab Filing industry. Ken was previously an Assistant Administrator at Walson Army Hospital, and was Director of Medical Records at UCLA Hospital and Clinics and at Kaiser Hospital and Clinics in Hollywood. He has worked as a manager at three different 700 bed hospitals. He has also consulted with other major hospitals in Los Angeles, such as Cedar Sinai, Los Angeles County General, and Martin Luther King Hospital. He understands the frustration of getting the right advice and service.
WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT? We keep complete records on all our customers. We reference these records every time an order is placed. We always ship the same system in the same packaging as previously ordered. You cannot believe how many times we are told that a company needs a certain label and "it doesn't matter the size or the color" because every time they have ordered labels they have gotten a different color from a different color code system and they have given up caring.
The second question is always "who has the lowest price". Coastal Office Systems offers very low and FREE SHIPPING prices. We have no minimums. Other companies do not offer, or require a large minimum order for in order to get Free Shipping. We offer same day or next day shipping on 90% of orders. We sell on Amazon. We accept Phone orders and Email orders, plus we have an interactive website (which you have obviously found).
Our lowest possible prices are available, primarily over the phone. If we are offering a discount on Amazon, we will offer that same discount when you call. If you wish to purchase multiple quantities or multiple items, Amazon or the website may not offer a special discount or price break. You will always get with a phone call.
Only principle members of our staff will answer the phone. No need for listening to the menu and waiting to push #3, just to be put on hold.
We offer open accounts to professional offices and accept major credit cards. If you wish we will keep your credit card information on file and charge orders as they are shipped.
Have a question, need to get or want to give advice? please call me. Ken Jones 1-800-426-2782
Tab Products Corp. was the first to come up with using manila folders (less expensive) and applying self-adhesive colored labels. For smaller filing systems two or three alpha or numeric labels were used. For larger filing systems, numer labels were preferred. Up to 8 labels would be used on each file. This created 10,000,000 divisions in a file room.
To simplify retrieving files and to eliminate the constant moving of files (as the number of files grows or as files become inactive) filing methods like Terminal Digit and Birthday Based filing systems were combined with Alpha and Numeric filing. If you are considering these options, call me for advice. 1-800-426-2782 Ken Jones, MPH, MS.
Tab's system was an economical and effective filing system but only available from Tab Products and their sales people. It didn't take long for companies like Barkley, Smead, Tabbies, and Jeter to begin making color code labels.
Each company created one or more unique, branded new color systems. The rush was to get as many new customers, as possible, using your particular color code system. I used to say that what these companies were selling was nothing but Indentured Loyalty. Whichever color code system you purchased, you were obligated to return to that same company every time to purchase replacement labels.
A big change in the industry came when companies began to make, not only their own brand of labels, but also compatible labels for other company's color code systems. About this same time there was an explosion of new color code systems on the market. Everyone was trying to keep ahead of the copy cat companies making compatible labels. Some of the new systems were very nearly the same as existing ones. Maybe a slightly different color, size, or shape, but very similar otherwise. You can see the confusion this has caused today. Five different systems with a red "A". Other letter A labels are dark blue, or green, yellow, orange, light blue, purple, black, etc.
Today, the first question is "where can I find the correct labels" and who has the best customer service and will make sure that "I receive the correct label every time I order".
Amazon, the internet, office supply stores, and websites, local filing systems dealers, and maybe even your brother-in-law is selling color code labels. Nearly 100% send you exactly what you order from their catalog or website. They make no effort to verify that your order is consistent with previous orders, making sure that what you are ordering is correct.
Coastal Office Systems and AllStarFiling have been around since 1980. We have lived through most of the major changes in End Tab Filing industry. Ken was previously an Assistant Administrator at Walson Army Hospital, and was Director of Medical Records at UCLA Hospital and Clinics and at Kaiser Hospital and Clinics in Hollywood. He has worked as a manager at three different 700 bed hospitals. He has also consulted with other major hospitals in Los Angeles, such as Cedar Sinai, Los Angeles County General, and Martin Luther King Hospital. He understands the frustration of getting the right advice and service.
WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT? We keep complete records on all our customers. We reference these records every time an order is placed. We always ship the same system in the same packaging as previously ordered. You cannot believe how many times we are told that a company needs a certain label and "it doesn't matter the size or the color" because every time they have ordered labels they have gotten a different color from a different color code system and they have given up caring.
The second question is always "who has the lowest price". Coastal Office Systems offers very low and FREE SHIPPING prices. We have no minimums. Other companies do not offer, or require a large minimum order for in order to get Free Shipping. We offer same day or next day shipping on 90% of orders. We sell on Amazon. We accept Phone orders and Email orders, plus we have an interactive website (which you have obviously found).
Our lowest possible prices are available, primarily over the phone. If we are offering a discount on Amazon, we will offer that same discount when you call. If you wish to purchase multiple quantities or multiple items, Amazon or the website may not offer a special discount or price break. You will always get with a phone call.
Only principle members of our staff will answer the phone. No need for listening to the menu and waiting to push #3, just to be put on hold.
We offer open accounts to professional offices and accept major credit cards. If you wish we will keep your credit card information on file and charge orders as they are shipped.
Have a question, need to get or want to give advice? please call me. Ken Jones 1-800-426-2782