Office-Turned-Sanctuary

Training & Development, Oct 2007

// COOL TOOL //

FOR ALL OF US WHO HAVE WANTED TO TAKE A BASEBALL BAT TO MALFUNCTIONING OFFICE EQUIPMENT, A NEW PRINTER ACCESSORY SOON MAY HAVE US ALL SAYING "OMMM" INSTEAD.

The Zen Cube, an aromatherapy device that attaches to a printer's ventilation slots, improves the workplace atmosphere with every print or fax job. The device diffuses specially developed perfumes into the warm air expelled by the machine. Users can choose among six fragrances in three categories: soothing, purifying, and invigorating.

The cube was developed by Sagem Communication and expert French perfumer Jean-Claude Gigodot. Of course, it's designed to work with Sagem's MF 44 and 54 range of multi-function printers-part of its "no stress" line of wares. The company touts them as ergonomic and intuitive products that are "easier to use, thereby lowering stress and rendering the workplace more enjoyable on a daily basis."

Unfortunately, the Zen Cube is not vet available on U.S. websites such as Staples.com. But European consumers may have a better chance of nabbing one. Sagem says the "fragrance selection" kit, which includes five different cartridges, retails there for about euro80 Euros.

MORE/ www.sagem.com