Three solutions are proposed to determine if there is a long queue at the office photocopying room without walking there: 1. Install mirrors on the ceiling around cubicles to reflect the photocopying room so staff can check before walking over. 2. Install a video camera and stream the photocopying room feed to staff laptops for viewing from their desks. 3. Use mirrors installed on the ceiling to see if colleagues are at their desks without walking over, providing a low-cost surveillance solution.

1. http://www.bentsai.com/2013/11/long-queue-in-photocopying-room.html

2. #Singapore., #GreatEasternLifeAssurance.,
How do you know if there is a long queue at the office #Photocopying room?
Observation:
Walking for two to four minutes to the photocopying room only to discover that there is a long queue.
You could either choose to join the queue and wait for five to eight minutes, or walk back to your cubicle and try you luck walking to the room at a later time to determine if
there is lesser people in the room printing their documents.
I recommend two solutions:
Low Cost Solution: Install strategically placed mirrors at the ceiling around each cluster of cubicles. The mirrors would reflect the photocopying room to the other mirrors
above the cubicles for the staff to determine if there is a long queue in the room. As the mirrors are installed on the ceiling, it would not distract you from your daily work.
.
High Tech Solution: Install video camera and stream the feed of the photocopier room to the laptops. The staff would be able to view the photocopier room in the comfort
of their seats.
Other considerations:
How do you know your colleague is sitting at their desk?
1. Walk over to your colleague's desk to find that they are not at their desk, only to befrustrated and waste time walking back to your cubicle (positive people would view
this as an exercise)
2. Call your colleague (line may be engaged)
3. Instant message your colleague (some people do not turn on their messenger)
4. Install Video cameras surveying each cluster to determine if the staff is working, under the pretext that you are offering a convenient solution to find out if they are at their
desk.
5. Mirrors on the ceiling would offer similar functionality as point four and is a cheaper option.