With an external PC and a smart card, Sun workers log into the company intranet. At the same time, Sun managers can contact their team members wherever they may be. Many office workers in Korea have wanted flexible working conditions, but senior managers comfortable with supervising staff on-site have been wary of supervising them via the network. In other words, the thing we needed was for each individual to be able to manage his own time. We decided that we needed a change in working conditions. 'Flexible office' was what resulted from our study on productivity improvement.
Engineers seem to be enthusiastic about the new system.
Engineers generally do overnight work from time to time and often go out for field-support jobs. And with the nature of their jobs, engineers have more opportunities to work with sales and marketing people and consultants in a team than to work only with other engineers. A flexible office system allows them to get together and even work late, without being restricted to their desks or worrying about reporting to work on time. Personally, I'm happy with the fact that I can concentrate on my work at any possible . . . The new system has only been in place for about three months.