Home > Stott + Hoare assists Bankwest move to an exciting new way of working

Since 1989, Stott + Hoare has partnered with Bankwest to supply a broad range of IT services, including hardware, software, lifecycle management and service support for their extensive national capital city and regional server network.

Stott + Hoare has once again supported Bankwest through one of the largest deployments of new information technology in a single roll out in Western Australia. The reason, Bankwest will shortly be moving into its funky new and innovative headquarters at Bankwest Place.

“Stott + Hoare successfully tendered for the Bankwest project in September 2011, and our services for this major cultural change are divided into two stages,” said Brian Hawkins, Stott + Hoare Sales Manager.

“Bankwest decided to progressively roll out their new laptop-based workplace technology while they were still in their current premises. This allowed staff to make the transition to this new technology before physical relocation. We have assisted with the build of some 3,000 new laptops, including imaging, connection to the Bankwest network, Quality Assurance checking, telephony, installation, connection and testing of peripheral equipment, to ensure workstations are appropriately setup.

“The second major stage of the project will be to assist with the relocation of this workplace technology to Bankwest’s new premises and the provision of support to their staff to get up and running smoothly in the new building.

“This has been a very substantial project that has involved a total team of around 12 Stott + Hoare staff over a period of more than 3 months so far.

“What’s also very exciting is that Bankwest is a leader in the adoption of Activity Based Working – or ‘Happy Working’ as they’ve termed it,” said Brian.

Bankwest’s new workplace is designed to enhance mobility and flexibility, using information technology to allow staff to move between different work settings and floors within the building depending on the work they need to undertake. It also provides more flexible working options as every colleague no matter what area of business they work in has a laptop computer. Sections of floors are tailored to different activities; ‘hubs’ for smaller groups and individuals; ‘clubhouses’ are more collaborative for meetings and brainstorming.

Bankwest’s transition to 'Happy Working' is being supported by Veldhoen and Company, the Netherlands firm credited with devising the concept some 15 years ago. Microsoft Amsterdam and Commonwealth Bank Sydney headquarters have also adopted this new way of working.

Not only does Bankwest expect this new approach to improve satisfaction and productivity for its 3,000 head office staff, it is also expected to improve sustainability by reducing space, energy and paper use. Bankwest has been road-testing the ‘Happy Working’ concept on a pilot floor since April 2011, and staff feedback has been ‘overwhelmingly positive’.

“Stott + Hoare is pleased to be able to provide effective relocation support services to a very long-term and prestigious client in Bankwest,” said Jim Loader, Stott + Hoare Managing Director.

“We’re also very excited to be involved in implementing their innovative approach to the use of technology to really empower their staff and create ‘Happy Working’.

“Strategically, this major project is also important for Stott + Hoare as it firmly establishes us as one of the foremost specialist IT expansion and relocation services providers in a State, and a region, which certainly seems poised to continue to expand rapidly over coming years,” said Jim.

Michael Smart, Bankwest IT Transition Manager concluded: “We have hit the ground running since the New Year and are now almost half way through our roll out. The support from the Stott + Hoare team has been invaluable to get us to this point.”