High-tech and classy
By Eileen Yu
Jan 14, 2004
If money is not an issue, give your employees high-tech gadgets and an ideal work environment.
Happy employees make a productive and profitable business. If a small- and medium-sized enterprise (SME) has deep pockets, no effort - and money - should be spared on building a high-tech office, one that the employees would gladly call their first home.
'Intelligent' refrigerators, plasma televisions, biometrics access, wireless projectors, wireless printers, tablet PCs, LCD (liquid crystal display) monitors and a technology insurance plan for every employee are some high-tech goodies you can dish out.
Mr Dennis Mark, general manager of personal systems group, Hewlett-Packard (HP) Singapore, described how these technologies fit into the office of a profitable SME. HP also offers products and consulting services targeted at SMEs.
Assuming it is a profitable SME with an elite group of executives, dealing in a high-value business such as trading or consultancy, the office set-up should be open, high-tech and adaptable to different dynamics.
Due to the nature of its business and professional requirements, it would be critical to establish a high level of security and ease of communications, said Mr Mark. The SME should also create an IT infrastructure that is easy to manage and highly automated.
One of the first things the company should deploy is wireless communications which would facilitate a flexible office environment, he said.
'I would definitely go for the latest wireless standard, 802.11g. I would also invest in wireless printers and wireless projectors. Ideally, they should also be able to send information remotely - through the wireless network and to the printer or projector. Images will be projected onto plasma screens in the boardrooms.'
Each mobile worker should be equipped with an ultra-portable mobile computer or a tablet PC, allowing field employees to present proposals and close deals in a professional manner, from wherever they are.
Extreme mobility
Office-bound workers will also enjoy more desk space with workstations that come in a single unit where the CPU and monitor are integrated, similar to Apple's iMac.
The soon-to-be-launched HP Integrated Work Centre features an LCD monitor that can be mounted to the main computer. It comes with a handle so it can be easily moved, Mr Mark said. It is also fitted with a wireless keyboard and mouse.
Some desks will also be equipped with multiple displays, each projecting different information or enabling data to be flowed from left to right seamlessly.
Internet Protocol (IP) and software-based phones will be deployed, though Mr Mark added that if the charges for mobile communications go down, he would recommend switching entirely to mobile phones so each employee only has one number to distribute.
'There should also be one integrated in-tray from which you can access your e-mail, voice-mail, short messaging service (SMS) and even multimedia message service (MMS).'
Security
In an environment filled with high-tech gadgets and confidential customer information, security must play a critical role.
Workstations, notebooks and personal digital assistants (PDAs) will be equipped with a smart card or biometrics reader so only authorised personnel with the corresponding card and password, or fingerprint, will have access to the system.
The same smartcards and biometrics data can also be used to gain entry into the office building.
Networks will also be protected with the best encryption, firewall, anti-intrusion and anti-virus tools.
There will be a business continuity plan to fall back on, should any data be lost.
Every employee, particularly mobile workers, will be backed by an insurance plan against theft or accidental damage to their equipment such as a LCD screen. The user will then be able to have the missing or faulty component immediately replaced from whichever country he is worldwide, Mr Mark said.
All play
But all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.
To help employees relax, the lounge will feature an entertainment and gaming centre with a plasma screen and 6.1 surround sound system. This will help create a close working environment which is a key factor for a small company which cannot afford to be plagued by office politics, Mr Mark said.
There will also be an 'intelligent' fridge in the pantry area where beverages and snacks - free of charge, of course - can be accessed via the employee's smartcard so usage can be monitored and inventory replenished.
'I can use this information to give out awards to the employee who drank the most cola in a month, for example,' he joked.
ESTIMATED SET-UP COSTS
Integrated desktop system: $2,500 per worker
Top-of-the-line PDA:
$1,200 per worker
Tablet PC or a high-end notebook computer:
$3,000 to $4,000 per worker
Biometrics/smartcards: $200 to $300 per worker
High-end wireless projector: $5,000 to $10,000 per unit
Wireless printer: $400 (deskjet) or over $1,000 (coloured laser) a unit
computertimes.asiaone.com.sg
steve |
