1. CASE STUDY
GPT Group re-defines workplace
with activity-based layout.
Property management company GPT Group began Solution
a total change program four years ago that has
GPT put in SAP as its ERP system and integrated its
moved its business from the Stone Age to best of
legacy systems, going live in October 2010. It also
breed.
installed SharePoint. As part of the SAP project,
Challenge Logicalis put in the SAN (storage area network).
The listed property trust had desktops that were That same year, new chief executive Michael
running Microsoft XP and Microsoft Office 2003, along Cameron started a cultural reinvigoration program.
with legacy systems and no real automation of the The company opted to “go the whole hog” and drive a
business processes. Its document management was best practice workplace into its Sydney site at the
in a shared folder that had millions of files, making it MLC Centre. It has a total of 420 staff.
difficult to find anything. The business operated in GPT first upgraded to Microsoft Windows 7 and
distinct silos, which hampered the exchange of ideas Microsoft Office 2010. It put in Cisco wireless
and was impinging on the workforce culture. technology. Logicalis also ran the wireless project and
“We wanted to foster collaboration so we wanted an was responsible for procuring and installing video-
office that stacked vertically and horizontally, but also grade wireless. The building’s aging security systems
gave you the opportunity to sit where you wanted to were upgraded enabling staff to access the building,
sit,” says GPT chief information officer Ross Miller. lockers and “swipe to print” with 1 access card.
The total change program began by ripping out the A universal docking station and sophisticated meeting
back-end of systems to rebuild networks and the core room booking systems which integrates tightly with
infrastructure. This took about 18 months. Outlook were implemented. Most staff use soft
phones to enable anywhere, anytime work.
Benefits
The office now runs over three floors rather than five.
The company has 320 people based at the new
paperless office, with 272 desktops. “No one sits in
the same seat on any particular day,”Miller says. “If I
need to talk to someone down on level 50, for
example, I just work down there for the day.”
GPT has slashed its paper usage in half and lighting
bills are 70% down, while general electricity is 50%
less. Miller says, “Ultimately, I can see this becoming
what the future of work space is.”