A smart office.

from the Knowledge Report, Fall '96, Steelcase Canada Ltd.

We've all heard that because technology allows us to work anywhere and any time, the days of big, sprawling central office locations are numbered. So... will we just work from our cars and living rooms? Not necessarily.

Everyone still needs to get together on occasion. Homes are not the best places to meet clients. And video conferencing from the home isn't likely to be widespread at least in the near future. Most importantly, people need face time to convey the nuances of what they're saying - and also to nurture a feeling of belonging, bonding and loyalty to the organization they work for.

But the construction of more/bigger office buildings will become less common. So-called "smart" offices will be networked mini-satellite offices. In fact, one of the first opened this summer in Toronto as the brainchild of an alliance between IBM Canada Ltd. and Steelcase Canada Ltd. Situated in the northeast part of the city not far from residential areas and main transportation routes, the Geoplex[TM] "is a paradigm for the way corporations will work in the future," says Rimes Mortimer, IBM's Manager of Smart Houses and Interactive Communities.

The concept in practice works much like a hotel. Users can rent a Geoplex[TM] office by the hour or reserve permanent space. They get a telephone plus voice, data and physical mailboxes. But the Geoplex's "smart" offices are built on a high-performance cabling infrastructure that's wired to work wonders and loaded with the systems and applications that smooth out the rough edges of telecommuting.

High-speed modems, fax and copiers are just the beginning. The Geoplex[TM] features dedicated PCs for Net surfing and high-speed data cabling for Internet or home system access - complete with a secure access identifier. It's also a model for the network computing world, where telecommuters can use the latest software straight from the network. Video conferencing facilities round out the package.

In addition to their space rental, tenants are charged by the minute for use of the telephone, network and software as well as video conferencing time. Private meeting rooms can also be rented. Steelcase has equipped the centre with both open work stations and its patented Personal Harbor[TM] work spaces, its reduced-footprint workplaces with sliding convex doors for privacy. The Personal Harbor[TM] work space is perfect for this concept," says Mr. Mortimer. "They're a mini portable office."

For now, IBM and Steelcase employees are using the 1,500 sq.-ft. Geoplex[TM] as part of a telecommuting pilot project. But long-term plans are to set up larger Geoplexes of 500 sq. ft. to 5,000 sq. ft. for other companies and individuals. Primary target locations will be in hotels and airports, but the satellite concept will soon be making appearances in suburban communities to eliminate the need for long commutes. "Our thinking is that they should be set up in retail complexes close to where people live," says Bernie Souche, worldwide alliance account manager at Steelcase. "There are no parking problems there, and the buildings can be accessible, with access cards, 24 hours a day.

From these exciting beginnings, Mr. Mortimer envisions the Geoplex[TM] growing to become the model accommodation for the mobile workforce. After writing a speech during an airline flight, for instance, a teleworker will soon be able to send the finished document via cellular modem to the Geoplex[TM] centre in the airport at his destination. By the time the plane lands, it will be printed and waiting in an envelope accessible only to its author with a security code. "The Geoplex[TM] is a smart place to work," says Mr. Mortimer. "It reminds us that work is no longer a place to go. It's something you do, and you can do it anywhere."

And that's the smartest way to work.