Add power and data to your conference table or buy a new one?

Here’s how we help our clients weigh the big question:  retrofit or purchase a new tech-ready conference table?

When to retrofit your table

• Your table is new and expensive
• It was custom crafted by a carpenter or made of a long-wearing material such as granite
• It's a vintage table made from solid planks of beautiful maple or oak

If you’re afraid to cut into your table to embed the power and data modules, we understand. It can be tricky. One option is the low-profile outlets we can provide. They install under the edge of table with no cutouts required. You can still keep wires underneath, out of sight.

Retrofitting cost, risk & process 

Before you move ahead, take a moment to consider the time and money required to retrofit your table:

• Substantial expense – you may not want to invest in updating an
  older, inexpensive or low quality conference table
• Module & installation costs – good quality modules can start
  at $450, and you’ll need to hire a professional to create the cut-outs
  and install the modules
• Risks of cutting into the table – with very little room for error,  precision work is critical. Will the material hold up to the installation process? Veneer could split, etc.
• Suitability of the table – are there brackets under the table that will obstruct the power modules? Is there a center stability support that will prevent you from cutting a hole in the middle? Consider the thickness and material of table in making your decision.
• Mess, noise and time lost – the retrofitting process is not a pretty one, and not necessarily quick

When to consider a new conference table

If you're willing to compromise, you may be able to get a few more years from your old table. Here are some indications that purchasing a new table would suit you better:

• It has to be right –  when you need a table to fit your space, design preferences and technology requirements, consider having it custom  produced
• To make an impression – choose a design that reflects your company’s image and culture
• Your company is tech savvy – you're already using today’s technology in the conference room, and will continue to upgrade and add new capabilities as technology evolves
• Your table is biting the dust – if it's wobbly or showing wear, is a starter piece you’ve outgrown, or the design stands out – in a bad way – then you're on the path to a new table

We’d be happy to answer your questions or walk you through the decision-making process. Get in touch with a Franz design professional.

See more
Design ideas
Power / data accessories

Get Conference Room Design Ideas from the Pros

Thanks to your support, we've been outfitting offices with state-of-the-art custom furniture for over 25 years now. And as they say, we're not getting older -- we're getting better!

Your requests have challenged us to keep our problem solving skills polished to a high shine. Here's a story of how we collaborated with a Santa Rosa, California client to create a stylish, technology-ready conference room. 
 
High-tech furniture transforms med-tech office

Modern boardroom table, hidden wiring

Growing medical devices firm Trivascular, Inc. was outgrowing its office furniture. When the CEO assigned Executive Assistant Tonja Jennings, who had no design expertise, the task of redesigning their boardroom, "I panicked," she says.

In her online research she discovered us as an ally right in her Bay Area backyard.

Design education
Most of our clients have never bought a conference table, let alone designed a custom, tech-enhanced piece. So we educate as we walk them through it.

Design Director Bob Franz asked Tonja a series of thought-provoking questions about their business and style preferences. Together, they settled on a modern design to reflect the company's focus on science and innovation. 

The final specs: 
- 4' x 14', to seat 14
- Fusion maple laminate finish, with a 4" black  border & Reverse Styledge

Technology and wire management built in
Choosing built-in technology for the table wasn't even on Tonja's radar, so she appreciated that Bob raised the subject. She broadened the discussion by including the company's IT director in the design process.

The result was a conference table with computer connectivity, up-to-the-minute presentation capabilities and a room free of visible cords.

Franz provided plan view line drawings of the boardroom showing the new conference table in place. The electrician knew precisely where to bring the wires up through the floor to ports in the table bases.

Next step, the lobby
The Trivascular folks were impressed and asked Franz to go a step further -- to design reception furniture that

Curved reception desk with side table

matched the newly outfitted boardroom. "Now our furnishings are elegant, modern and professional," says Tonja. "They've transformed our offices and we consistently receive compliments from our guests and clients."

Stump us
We have a penchant for puzzles, so get in touch with your tough office furniture questions.

Click to learn more
Photos of Franz custom-designed office furniture
What clients are saying
Ask Bob a question 

Large Board Room Table for Silicon Valley Client

The rounded edges of this large racetrack-shaped board room table allows Scios to seat more people than at a standard rectangle.

The Silicon Valley firm needed plenty of power and data modules built in for presentations and video conferencing.

And to maintain a clutter-free conference room, they asked us to create the built-in cabinets and video screens.

Learn more
Franz furniture design & pricing
Customizing - finishes, logos and more

Wire Management for California Client's Video Conferencing Table

Wire management is a priority for almost all our clients, since everyone needs power and data ports in their conference tables these days. We're experts at incorporating technology, while keeping the cables hidden.

In this case, we designed sleek removable access panels for wire management into this custom table for Travis Air Force Base in Northern California.

We consulted with Travis AFB on technologies needed to make their board room table most efficient. Among those included are phone, video conferencing and a security strobe light.

Dimensions: 72” x 19”

Table finish: Oak laminate

Table edge: Reverse Styledge with a 2" black border

Table shape: Rectangular

Technology: Video conferencing, toggle switches for security strobe, 12 tilt-up power & data grommets

Special features: Custom unit to seat 12, with a drawer for each user. Turret has lip to support phone system.

Let us know about your requirements for technology and wire management. We'll custom-configure a solution for your conference room. Contact us for details.

Learn more
Installing conference table technology
Selected finishes & design choices

Update Your Current Conference Table with Power & Data

Most the new tables we design include power and data modules.

But if you have a special conference table and want to update it, you can add power and data as a retrofit. Ask us about installing electronic ports or transforming your table into a video conferencing table.

Learn more:
Video data conferencing tables

Make a Statement in the Conference Room -- Add a Logo to Your Table

Here are a few of the logo-embellished conference tables we've designed for our clients. It's a great way to make your table truly customized, show off tastefully and reinforce your branding.

Contact us for help. Email or call (877) 594.9160.

Glass Conference Table Goes Hi-Tech

Recently, we were asked to design something different for a very modern, sleek, hi-tech conference room.

The room was glass-glass-glass. So we thought, why not keep it in the family.

This unique design doesn't fit into a traditional category. We didn't want to just put a slab of glass on a boring base structure, plus we wanted to incorporate the power and data requirements with some style.

As you can see from the original concept, aluminum has an equal presence in this table. The design lends itself to many possibilities with regard to finishes and also structural integrity can be maintained even with this simplified base design. Pretty cool!

For tech companies that want to do their "thinking outside the box" in style, why not do it around a Franz custom conference table? And, your logo can be inset too.

We love to collaborate . . . Find out how we work with clients on the custom design  process.

Equip Your Boardroom Table With Data, Video & Power Ports

Video, power and phone cable pop-up connections, as well as efficient wire management systems, make a big difference in the smooth and effective operation of your boardroom.

We design and build these technologies into your custom Franz conference table, according to your needs. We also have the resources and strategic partners to assist with any phase of complex power and data design and installation.

You can also request our help installing video data ports and conferencing modules into your existing conference table as well.

Learn about:
- Franz design approach for a table with data, video & power technology
- photos of custom tables with power and data built in

Our Unique Boardroom Table Edges Withstand the Test of Time

 

Does your boardroom furniture take a beating and still look fresh and new?

The table and other accessory tables and cabinets can be a sizable part of a boardroom remodel budget and we know they need to last.

That's why Franz developed a proprietary edge detail for our custom tables in our early years in business -- the Reverse Styledge. It's designed to look modern and beautiful, yet hold up to heavy use. No peeling, chipping or gaping.

The Reverse Styledge is our most popular edge design. And we're so sure of its endurance, we've backed it with a 10-year warranty.

Give us a call and we'll tell you the story of why this edge is so durable.

See samples of all of our custom table edge designs.

A Few Conference Tables in Stock

Have a tight deadline?

We have a few tables ready to be finished with your power and data needs and quick-shipped.

Franz Design Group provides number of modules to be customized with the type of data and video conferencing ports your company needs. This sleek, black boardroom table is one that's in stock -- a 4' x 10' racetrack design, with our exclusively Reverse Styledge edge detail.

Call for more information about this other models available for fast delivery.

Large Custom Boardroom Tables With Microphones

When you have a very large table, it's often a challenge for the person at one end to hear someone speaking at the other end.

Now you can have microphones strategically placed in the conference table so one can speak at a normal tone and everyone can hear.

This is one of the many video conferencing accessories Franz can design into your custom conference table. Is there a conference room inefficiency that's bothering you? Troubleshooting and problem solving is our specialty.


Get in touch . . . we're happy to help.

Learn more about conference table accessories.

Power and Data for Boardroom Tables

More often than not, our clients ask for tech accessories to be built into their new conference table. Whatever you call them . . . ports, jacks, HDMI, VGA, USB . . . we have them. And we configure the modules to suit your current needs, while allowing for future technology expansion.

To get it just right, we go through a Q&A process to find out exactly how you'll use your table and its tech features. We take great pride in helping our clients get precisely what they need.

Preview a sampling of our power & data modules, then give us a call. We'll walk you through the process of getting the "right stuff." And if you need an extra hand, we'll work with your IT department to get the job done.

Cable Management for Conference Tables

Technology options

Franz-designed conference tables are built to house the latest in technology. This includes various types of of video conferencing accessories and power and data modules that can be equipped  with the specific ports required.

Future upgrades

We keep the future in mind for you, so you'll be able to retrofit your existing power and data modules with updated ports as technology and your needs change.

Get rid of the ugly wires

Cable management and wire organization can be a bear. That's why it's a top priority, which we design into all Franz tables.

Look at our sleek conference table designs in the gallery.

Single Source for Custom Video Conference Table & Accessories

This is one of our latest projects with Logic Integration.

We have a complete package of services for when a company needs to upgrade their conference table with video conferencing accessories.

Franz Design Group works with you, in coordination with Logic Integration, to make a smooth transition. To ensure everything happens according to plan, we go beyond helping you buy a custom conference table with all the equipment.

It's about making sure the IT people, electricians, contractors, building management, designers and installers make the video conferencing accessories work with and in the Franz conference table.

Many times, a business will need complimentary conference room furniture, a credenza, visual-aid board and conference chairs. We make it easy by being a single source for the client, simplifying the process into a few vs. many vendors.


http://www.franzconferencetables.com
http://www.logic.net/solutions/furniture

NASA Conference Table, with Video & Logo Cabinets

NASA has called on us for a few projects. This particular table started with a hybrid shape -- our Convex/Concave design. We also incorporated our Styledge edge detail with an inlay boat shape, curved on the ends. Just a little different...like NASA!

Of course they needed technology -- video conferencing accessories, plus power and data modules were added.

To make the room even more functional, they asked for cabinetry in an existing finish on the far wall. And they liked the idea of inlaying their logo on the cabinet doors for all to see.

See more logo inlay projects and our unusual conference table shapes.

Student Tables Built with Power & Data Accessories

We've worked with educational institutions from all around the country.

We've done numerous custom conference table projects for Golden Gate University in San Francisco, but this time they needed our help in a classroom setting. The interactive learning setting required power and data access for all students.

We designed a layout that provided computer outlets for a majority of students and a sharing system that minimized the cost for the project. The tables were designed with materials for high use and high abuse. As you can imagine!

Part of the project was coordinating with many departments at the university, related to both the construction of the classroom and our installation of all the Franz Design Group furniture. 

 See the Franz client list, which includes many colleges across the country. And browse a selection of our durable, beautiful table finishes.

Hi-Tech Reception..Boardroom Table..Executive Office Furniture

San Jose Tech Museum wanted their furniture to set the tone . . . from the entrance of the museum, to their conference rooms to their executive's office. So we ended up designing a hi-tech reception desk, boardroom table and the executive's office furniture.

To reflect their modern, edgy style, we sat down with the powers that be, including their architect, and came up with some concepts. These project photos show the results of our collaboration.

Although, our main focus is on custom conference tables, we're often asked to design other creative furniture pieces. As you can see, we're happy to stretch our design wings.

Check out more of our custom table designs.

Convex Board Room Table With Power & Data Ports

We gave this custom high-tech board room table a contemporary edge, with rounded convex ends and a sleek black border.

Black borders are very popular with our clients as they tie the table design nicely to the black chairs most companies opt for.

Another nice detail is that the pop-up power and data ports disappear into the table top when not needed.

Find out more
Contemporary board room table designs
Designing power and data into your table

The Bay Area's Custom Conference Furniture Designers

Franz Design Group is a Bay Area-based company, happy to serve the local community, as well as our clients across the country and occasionally around the world.

Our office and the shop where we build custom conference furniture is located in Novato, CA, just off the Bel Marin Keys Blvd. exit of Highway 101.

Have a conference room issue with space, configuration or accessing power and data for presentations or video conferencing? Let us lend a hand and help with problem solving.

Get in touch . . . 

Or learn more about our long history of providing custom furniture in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Video, Power and Data Modules for Board Room Tables

Franz Design Group offers a wide arrange of Power and Data modules. There are so many options that can we can configure and build to the needs of a company. Of all the video conferencing accessories sales, 99% of the clients need assistance in how to fill their needs as far as ports are concerned. The service this supplies to clients obviously is appreciated by the number of repeat customers. Check out the link below to view some of the products.

More info on video, power and data modules for your board  room table.