The World Now Embraces the Smart Office Trend Without Spatial Constraints

Increase in Flexible and Distributed Work Due to COVID-19, More Companies Innovate Office Spaces
Comprehensive Furniture Specialist Neps Leads the 'Smart Office' Era with Innovative Total Office Solutions

Smart office designed by Neps.
Photo by Neps

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jonghwa] The novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) has brought significant changes to the working methods of office workers and corporate office spaces. Domestic and international companies are actively utilizing remote and flexible work systems as well as hub offices, and are responding to COVID-19 by introducing various forms of smart offices that enable employees to work efficiently without spatial constraints.

According to the results of the 'Smart Office Awareness Survey' commissioned by the comprehensive furniture specialist company 'NEFS' to the mobile research agency Open Survey in July, 7 out of 10 office workers felt the need to introduce smart offices due to changes in work methods caused by COVID-19.

The same was true for overseas office workers. A survey conducted by Oracle and the HR research and consulting firm Workplace Intelligence targeting over 12,000 office workers in 11 countries including Korea found that 35% of workers are working more than 40 extra hours per month due to blurred boundaries between personal life and work during prolonged remote work, and 25% reported suffering from overwork.

In particular, only 40% of respondents in Korea preferred remote work, which is lower than the global average of 62%, highlighting the urgent need to introduce office spaces that compensate for the disadvantages of remote work.

The smart office of Yuhan-Kimberly.
[Photo by Yuhan-Kimberly]

To reflect these desires of office workers, some companies have started creating 'smart offices.' Smart offices are created based on space design and consulting that reflect the unique culture and environment of the company. By integrating movable modular office furniture with autonomous seating systems, video conferencing, and other IT solutions, and utilizing space more efficiently and flexibly, this office type simultaneously offers various benefits such as improved work efficiency and creativity, and cost reduction for companies.

A representative domestic company actively utilizing smart offices recently is Yuhan-Kimberly. Since August, Yuhan-Kimberly has implemented 'Smart Work 3.0,' enhancing employees' work convenience and immersion by utilizing solutions such as remote meeting systems within smart offices, smart glasses, mobile devices, and wall pads.

Hanwha Systems ICT division operates five hub offices in the metropolitan area, organizing spaces into six themes to foster creative idea generation and improve work efficiency. They also provide specialized furniture and solutions such as video conferencing equipment and standing tables tailored to the nature of the work, enhancing employees' work capabilities.

Overseas companies are also actively operating smart offices. According to the 'Smart Work Policy Trends' report recently published by the Seoul Digital Foundation, Japan is implementing smart work policies including remote and telecommuting work, along with policies to promote growth in areas outside city centers and to pursue efficient space utilization.

Box-type shared office 'Telecube' by East Japan Railway Company (JR).
[Photo by Neps]

A representative example is East Japan Railway Company (JR). JR is installing box-type shared offices called 'Telecube,' which are single-person offices equipped with reservation systems, power supply, internet networks, and various work facilities, in various locations such as office buildings, subway stations, and vacant lots. They plan to expand to about 1,000 units by 2023.

A leading company providing smart office solutions domestically is NEFS. NEFS formed a strategic alliance with the global office furniture company 'KOKUYO' last September to receive support for smart office construction, design, and smart office furniture production technology. Additionally, based on patents for smart meeting systems jointly researched with four professors from Yonsei University including Lee Bong-gyu and Lee Won-sang, NEFS offers solutions that realize cost reduction and improved work efficiency.

A NEFS representative said, "The recent office trend is to maximize space utilization with corporate environment consulting and space design tailored to the characteristics of the company, creating independent personal focus spaces and phone booths that protect privacy and improve work efficiency, which are smart office specialized furniture that did not exist before." He added, "NEFS provides a next-level total smart office by combining IT solutions such as autonomous seating systems, video conferencing, and smart lockers."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.