GTD inspires new filing product!

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fileflag

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Greetings,
I started with GTD about five years ago. As I became more rigorous about filing I found it tedious to read all the label tabs on hanging folders to find the correct folder to return an item to. I subsequently invented and received several patents on a simple device to indicate that an item has been removed from a hanging folder. The product is called fileflag and it is licensed to and manufactured by Esselte, inc. Since I periodically speak with the manufacturer to discuss improvements to the product, I would welcome the forums comments. You can see all about the product at:
www.fileflag.com

Thanks for any comments.

Neil
 
Congratulations!

I've seen these at Office Depot. Haven't gotten any yet, as I use shelf filing mostly, but it's fantastic when people come up with an idea and follow through with it and share it with others. I hope you sell lots of them.
 
When I saw this header in my RSS reader, I sighed, expecting that here was yet another software "innovation" that basically recreated some basic GTD function but lost 10 other functions basic to MS Outlook, etc.

But lo and behold, here is a simple, but (seemingly) useful hardware device. Hopefully, they are inexpensive. Here are some thoughts:

- For hanging folders, create a more inexpensive version that is integrated with the clip in labels (assuming these flags are meant to be installed on each folder). It doesn't need to be hard plastic, but could be made of the same type of plastic the current tabs are made of.
- If you haven't already, create multiple colors (sold in mixed color economy packs) so that if someone takes out multiple folders, color codes will help them more quickly locate the "home"
- For regular manila folders, create version that is meant to be temporarily placed on a remaining folder in front of or behind of the removed folder's location. A slim magnet on the back will allow you to store it on the file cabinet drawer front when not in use. (No need for a moveable pop-up flag here)

Good luck.

C

fileflag said:
Greetings,
I started with GTD about five years ago. As I became more rigorous about filing I found it tedious to read all the label tabs on hanging folders to find the correct folder to return an item to. I subsequently invented and received several patents on a simple device to indicate that an item has been removed from a hanging folder. The product is called fileflag and it is licensed to and manufactured by Esselte, inc. Since I periodically speak with the manufacturer to discuss improvements to the product, I would welcome the forums comments. You can see all about the product at:
www.fileflag.com

Thanks for any comments.

Neil
Click to expand...
 
In the military...

...we used a heavier gauge insert that had written on it "OUT" & on the actual card there was a place to actually write where the document was. These are the type that look like a manilla folder with a tab, they were a differrent color like pink or green & they were stiff. I still use these today. I find it much easier, that way even if I give the paper to someone I can track it. I can of course make a copy & give them the copy or original as needed. [Lately I just Scan the doc into a pdf & email it to them - even simpler].
 
jerendeb said:
...we used a heavier gauge insert that had written on it "OUT" & on the actual card there was a place to actually write where the document was. These are the type that look like a manilla folder with a tab, they were a differrent color like pink or green & they were stiff. I still use these today. I find it much easier, that way even if I give the paper to someone I can track it. I can of course make a copy & give them the copy or original as needed. [Lately I just Scan the doc into a pdf & email it to them - even simpler].
Click to expand...

In the National Health Service (in the UK) they are known as "tracer cards" and we couldn't function without them! They are used to mark the place where a patient's file has been removed, with a handwritten note about when and to whom. They are then countersigned when the file is returned. However the more people you have authorised to remove files, the greater the chance of someone forgetting to fill it in. But on the whole, we all benefit so much from knowing where to find communal patient files, in our clinics the tracer is filled in about 95% of the time.

Strangely I'd never thought about using the same system at home!

Ruth
 
GTG Inspires New Filing Product!

Thanks for your comments. There is a possibility that the product will be integrated into a file folder at some time in the future.

Neil
www.fileflag.com
 
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