There are many different ways of organizing an archive; with notebooks, frontal suspension files in filing cabinets, upright lateral filing systems or lateral suspension files. Subjoined we will arrange the advantages and disadvantages of the most applied ways of filing.
 
The most common:
* Notebooks/ring binders
* Box files
* Horizontal files
* Frontal (suspension) files in filing cabinets
* Lateral filing systems (upright or suspending) 

Notebook
Advantages:
- Easy to use.
- Documents are stored attached: no lost documents.
- Easy to subdivide alphabetically or using dividers.
- No specific furniture requirements: shelf is sufficient.
- Contents are easy to describe.

Disadvantages: - Takes time to perforate documents. - Not every document can be perforated (photograph, negative, etc.). - Torn perforation holes. - Time-consuming to insert and remove documents. - Loss of space: 8 cm back, max. piling capacity 5.5 cm (often less in practice).

Box files Advantages: - Inexpensive storage solution (for old archive). - Does not require special furniture. - Dust-free storage. Disadvantages: - Time-consuming to remove or add documents. - Only suitable for old archives. - Too heavy to work with regularly once filled.

Horizontal box files Advantages: - Dust-free storage. - Does not require composite wall construction. - Excellent solution for documentation archive or smaller applications. Disadvantages: - Can only be stacked to eye level. - Different storage solution needed for old archive. - Expensive as far as capacity: box is 10 cm, whereas only 8 or 5.5 cm can be used.

Horizontal systems
Advantages:
- Requires inexpensive files.
- Good use of capacity if no changes are made.
Disadvantages:
- Difficult to access.
- Expensive furniture.
- Everything must be shifted once full.
- Poorly organised archive.
- No overview.
- No identification possibilities.
- Greater chance of improper storage.

Frontal suspension files Frequently used filing method. The suspension files are hung on 2 profiles; the top and sides of the files are open. Advantages: - Provides good overview of drawer. - Documents can be filed with or without inner file. - Attached or loose-leaf. - Files easy to use. - Good system for desk drawer. Disadvantages: - Expensive cabinets with telescopes. - Much space needed due to capacity. - Height not used optimally. - Not a solution for old archives.

 

Upright lateral filing systems Advantages: - Requires relatively inexpensive files. - No special furniture needed, holder can be used on shelf. - Numerous stacked rows possible up to a reachable height. Disadvantages: - Files fall over and/or lean against each other. - Loss of capacity due to devices. - Poor accessibility. - Two hands always needed to remove or insert documents. - Less suitable for use with colour coding. - Labour-intensive because of the need to shift files. - Files often protrude on the front with "overfilled" holders.

Lateral suspension files
2-point suspension: stay in cabinet
1-point suspension: Jalema system.

Two-point suspension files
Advantages:
- Lateral, thus space-saving compared to frontal.
- Rows can be stacked.
- Good overview.
- Numerous identification possibilities
- Excellently suited to colour coding.
Disadvantages:
- Sore neck from trying to read information pockets.
- Files stay in the cabinet.
- Difficult to insert files.
- Inner-outer files only (collective, not single).
- More space needed for file material.
- Different storage solution needed for old archive.
- Information pocket often already adhered to file or non-removable.

2) SINGLE OR COLLECTIVE
Single
Documents are stored in a file (loose-leaf or attached), which can be removed from the system directly.
Advantages:
- Less space needed than with collective.
- Can be easily filed at a different workplace (on loan to co-workers, for example).
- Can be easily stored in a different archive (dynamic, semi-static, static).
Disadvantages:
- Missing files go unnoticed.
- More time needed to file the file in the right place.
- Greater possibility of misfiling.
Collective
Documents are filed in an inner file or work file (loose-leaf or attached), which is then filed in an outer file. The outer files continue to hang in the system.
Advantages:
- Easy to see which inner files are missing (empty outer file).
- Less chance of misfiling an inner file.
Disadvantages:
- Takes up more space than with single filing (two files!).
- More difficult to file at a different workplace using the same system.
- More difficult to file in a different archive using the same system.
 

2 basic elements: 1. Jalema or Duo profile on which the files are suspended. 2. Single suspension point on files. Jalema Filing System Features Definition: Lateral one-point suspension.

Features:
- Single profile on which files are suspended.
- File can be “read” from the side. - File can be rotated 35°.
- “Pendulum motion” used to insert and remove files.
- Suitable for both single as well as collective filing.

Pendulum motion:
This refers to the movement of the hand made when removing a file from the profile. The pendulum motion is a combination of a few simple movements. Locate the file needed and, using your finger, push the file against the profile. At the same time, move the file upwards, allowing you to remove it from the archive.


The pendulum motion consists of these simple movements (files are inserted in the reverse order, of course).


Try it out with your filing/storage system and experience the advantages the Jalema system offers you!

Pendulum distance To ensure successful insertion and removal of Secolor suspension files using the pendulum motion, a minimum distance of 300 mm between the two profiles is required. The customary distance is 330 mm. A distance of 30 mm above the uppermost profile and below the lowermost file should be maintained for using the pendulum motion successfully.
Advantages:
- The profile can be built easily into the cabinets offered as part of your furniture line.
- The profile can be placed on a cabinet shelf as a filing unit.
- Several profiles can be placed in cabinets as stacked filing units.
- Saving of space compared to frontal filing due to optimal utilisation of height.
- Files hang in a single line in a well-organised fashion.
- Excellently suited to colour coding.
- New files can be inserted easily.
- The front is also partially visible because the files can be rotated 2x 35° on the profile.
- A variety of filing methods is possible: loose-leaf/attached and single/collective.
- Universally suitable for all filing phases: dynamic, semi-static and static archive all in one. 
Disadvantages:
- Files require space for the pendulum motion, making more height necessary for every row of files. Explanation is required on how to remove files using the pendulum motion.