Hana TI: digital center and beyond

By Lee Kyung-min

Hana TI ― TI being short for “transform IT” ― is the financial group's subsidiary representing its core values in essence: synergy via integration. Modeled after Santander Financial City Boadilla del Monte in Madrid, Spain, Hana TI in Cheongna International City in Incheon seeks to be the IT hub of the group.

On a 65,712-square-meter lot sits Hana TI's two earthquake-resistant buildings ― 16-story Vision Center and seven-story Core Center, where 1,800 people work.

Vision Center is where IT officials from all of the group's subsidiaries work together, enabling them to have more frequent, casual encounters that can lead to a friendly lunch, dinner or after work get-together.

The subsidiaries include bank, life insurance, card, financial investment, savings bank, capital and Hana TI.

“Their work overlaps in many ways and their physical proximity with one another helps increase opportunities for interaction to share work-related information and concerns. It is an efficient and effective method of communication,” a Hana TI official said.

Also notable is that the center is where human resources and physical infrastructures are set up in close proximity, unlike similar data centers run by group competitors.

“In many cases, IT officials are working far away from where the servers are set up. That undermines preparedness and thwarts immediate response in the event of a possible emergency. That is not us,” he said.

The center, which prides itself as a fintech frontier, will help the group become a globally competent entity, mostly by prompt and needs-specific assistance provided for business projects that require digital capabilities.

“The center helps the group with investments involving IT startups or other business opportunities with budding enterprises with innovation-based business models. The work of professional and devoted IT specialists has been and will continue to be of great contribution and help to the group's growth,” the official said.

The Core Center is where the servers are set up in a stable, temperature- and humidity-controlled environment, alongside data monitoring rooms.

The center earned a Green Building & Energy Efficiency certification in recognition of its energy-efficient and eco-friendly operation using geothermal and solar energy.

The buildings were designed with “Crime Prevention through Environmental Design” strategies, a set of design principles used to discourage crime and promote building security.

Through natural surveillance, natural access control, territorial reinforcement and maintenance, the principles discourage or impede criminal activity.

Another implemented design principle was a cost-effective energy management system called Intelligent Building System, which provides access to and control of every area and process of the building's infrastructure.

“Hana TI is leading not only in the sheer technological specifics but in taking the initiative in developing new technologies including artificial intelligence, blockchain, big data and cloud technologies. This will strengthen our capabilities to be better prepared for the Fourth Industrial Revolution,” the official said.