| As identity theft becomes a real problem in our | | | | shredders is the estimated shred volume. This indicates |
| society, paper shredders begin to fill a growing need in | | | | the volume of paper that the shredder can handle. |
| the community. Businesses and individuals both desire | | | | Analyze the shredding needs of the office and |
| to safely and effectively destroy sensitive | | | | determine what paper capacity is necessary.Keep in |
| documents.While individuals can rely on small paper | | | | mind that a shredder needs time to cool down |
| shredders to effectively destroy credit card | | | | between sessions and will break down if it is kept |
| statements and bank paperwork, larger corporations | | | | running continuously. To prevent this, consider |
| need something more heavy duty.Corporate paper | | | | purchasing a shredder that will be able to handle slightly |
| shredders are often associated with hiding fraud or | | | | more work than needed. This way the shredder won't |
| other illegal activities. Just think of all the shredder jokes | | | | be running at maximum capacity all of the time and the |
| that surrounded the Enron scandal. However, there is a | | | | life of the machine will be increased.There are two |
| legitimate need for quality paper shredders in the | | | | main ways that a shredder destroys paper. Strip-cut |
| corporate world.Just think about the amount of | | | | shredders cut paperwork into thin strips of ¼ of |
| sensitive paperwork that passes through a credit union, | | | | an inch or smaller. This option suits the security needs |
| psychologist's office or accounting firm. | | | | of most offices. Cross-cut shredders are more |
| Commercial-grade paper shredders, as they are often | | | | suitable for the most confidential documents. This type |
| called, are manufactured to destroy large amounts of | | | | of shredder cuts both lengthwise and widthwise to |
| paperwork in a minimum of time. They are built with | | | | create what looks like confetti, and these shredders |
| large motors that can handle stacks of paper at a | | | | are often referred to as "confetti paper |
| time, as opposed to personal shredders that can only | | | | shredders."Commercial paper shredders need regular |
| take one or two sheets.Selecting a commercial-grade | | | | maintenance to run at their optimum rate. Lubricating oil |
| paper shredder involves deciding on what features are | | | | must be applied to the shredder regularly to remove |
| most important to the company. Consider first how | | | | the build-up of paper dust inside the cutting apparatus. |
| often the paper shredder will be used. Each shredder | | | | Most paper shredder manufacturers will recommend |
| will have a maximum running length and once that limit | | | | particular oil for their machine. The oil should be applied |
| has been met, the machine will need to be turned off | | | | regularly depending on how often the machine is used. |
| and allowed to rest for a specified period of time.For | | | | General repairs like paper jams can normally be |
| example, higher end shredders may be able to run for | | | | handled by the office staff.D. David Dugan helps |
| 10 to 15 minutes before needing a rest of 20 minutes. | | | | maintain a Spyware Security site at and recommends |
| Smaller models may only be able to handle 3 minutes | | | | using All Star Shredding for your paper shredding, |
| of continuous shredding before having to rest for 5 to | | | | document destruction and on site document security |
| 10 minutes.Another feature that varies between | | | | needs. |