Tell Us About Your Workplace

Indrani Tharmanason - CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER OF WINGARC AUSTRALIA

Indrani Tharmanason took five minutes to sit down with us and reflect on the year that has passed in WingArc Australia’s new workplace, facilitated by BRM Projects. WingArc Australia (previously Space Time Research) is a leading provider of business intelligence and enterprise analytics software, now based at 360 Collins St.

Can you explain the major challenges of your company’s property search?

We were in the middle of an interesting period as a company. Our landlord had just given us 3 months notice in the process of being acquired, we needed to follow a certain set of processes in our search for a new premises. Our new offices needed to be of the right calibre and a suitable reflection of WingArc, our new owners – already one of the most prominent software companies in Japan and now expanding internationally. Its new Melbourne office needed to have both the right look and address. So we faced the challenge of finding the right workplace but within the larger challenge of a tight timeline. A lot needed to happen within a very short period!

How did BRM Projects help you overcome these challenges?

Gab was able to give us important strategic advice from the beginning and throughout the process he communicated with all the different parties involved to ensure a smooth transition into the new workplace. He quickly provided us with a shortlist of properties to be viewed and he worked with everyone from the office manager to the leasing agent and removalists making the whole process seem more straightforward and less daunting. 

How does the new workplace at 360 Collins St achieve the workplace goals of WingArc Australia?

Firstly, what helped us incredibly was finding an office space that the landlord was willing to offer fully fitted out. Given the short time period within which we were required to find a new property, we were faced with limited possibilities in terms of fit-out. Thankfully, Gab found a property where the landlord was willing to fit out to our specs and time constraints. This meant that the office would be ready for us upon moving in with very little delay or disruption to business activity. 

The office itself has a very clean, consistent look which is reflective of the company. Its outdoor space has been enjoyed by everyone, even into the winter months and most importantly, there is a lot of light in the offices! Writeable walls encourage openness of ideas and agility, two aspects that are central to our company, and they keep everyone focused all the time! An open plan allows for more effective collaboration, while the space accommodates for enough meeting rooms to hold private sessions as well. 

1 year on, how do you personally feel in your workplace?

I am really enjoying the space and I particularly enjoy the amount of light. We came from a heritage building that was very dark so a well-lit workplace is a bright and refreshing change. 
Being in an open plan office re-enforces the team spirit. We can finally reach out to eachother.

Finding a landlord that included the office fit out within the lease terms was very helpful because of the time limitations, and also in terms of our budget. 

And of course, being a bike commuter I am very happy about the End Of Trip Facility at 360 Collins St too! It was fantastic to find an office in a building that provides this type of facility, usually reserved for much larger companies.