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In a broad context, how has Internet of Things impacted the realty/real estate sector in general?
The Internet of Things (IoT) primarily impacts upon the fixed assets of any industry, such as land, buildings and equipment. As fixed assets constitute the very backbone of real estate, the IoT is the mainstay technology for the industry.
The convergence of the internet, sensor technologies and app-based innovations open the doors to endless possibilities for higher standards of living. Developers can utilise all of these features to provide the ability to deliver even greater levels of sustainable energy, through highly accurate energy monitoring, pollution control and waste management systems.
In particular, the Internet of Things can provide real-time insights into the performance of assets and large amounts of data that were not previously available. The asset management team is now able to control high-value equipment through user-defined algorithms and also to change maintenance models to provide optimum benefits to customers, above and beyond increased return on investment. IoT has also started disrupting construction processes through digital feeds at various construction sites and the collaboration of various teams.
For wasl, is this a planned approach to also be on top of the Smart Dubai initiative?
Yes. wasl is proactively aligned with Smart Dubai initiatives and IoT is a step in this direction. Having said this, IoT is just one element of the more significant innovations that wasl is working on to make our asset portfolio the smartest. A range of other initiatives that wasl is actively pursuing include smart maintenance, intelligent security, as well as connected and safe communities.
What types of technologies do you believe drive innovation at the front end?
We believe technologies that facilitate decision support during real-time and technologies that provide memorable customer experiences are drivers for innovation. We have been consistently improving user experiences through multi-channel and simplified user interfaces. Many processes have now migrated to agile and real-time mobile applications. Multi-sourced data and video analytics are revolutionising the way that decisions are made. Modern technologies are used for responsive design and the visualisation of information is driving innovation.
What needs to power the backend in terms of IT strategy or enterprise backbone?
The ability of IT systems to provide the right kind of information securely, and a platform that fosters digital collaboration of our extended business eco-system including consultants, contractors and service providers, is of crucial importance.
The backend infrastructure should be capable of ingesting large volumes of data that originate from a variety of systems and unstructured sources, and able to churn out meaningful insights for all stakeholders in real time. Furthermore, the platform should be able to quickly accommodate and integrate various point solutions in order to provide a seamless business experience essential to foster digital innovation.
How has wasl been able to bring together energy efficiency and smart technology to deliver more aware and greener community living?
wasl customers benefit from decreased energy costs, as well as a whole new generation of lifestyle solutions. These range from enhanced security management, safety management, emergency evacuation management and improved source level optimisation, through intelligent remote control and monitoring solutions. wasl is also working towards providing IoT-based community services that would greatly save customers’ valuable time and make great strides towards sustainability.
Is there an opportunity for retro-fit of smart technologies in older buildings or those that are asset managed?
Yes. We have been successfully implementing smart technologies in older buildings. We have also signed an MOU with Etihad ESCO to initiate energy audits for our new and old buildings, and we are currently in the process of retrofitting some of our older buildings accordingly. This will drive the Dubai vision to reduce energy consumption by 20% before 2021 and 30% by 2030.
Are there different types of communities being built that cater to different segments of the society?
Yes. By its very nature, the Internet of Things is all about delivering tailored solutions. wasl’s vast portfolio successfully caters to all demographics and segments. Additionally, research has identified the need for mid-income housing and communities – where wasl has answered the call and developed several economically viable, energy efficient and intelligent developments, providing these assets with greater value.
Can Smart Technologies become a reality even in lower cost living environments?
Yes. With the availability of different types of connected devices that can gauge various building parameters, low-cost buildings have also become smarter. For example, in buildings with no building management systems, we have been experimenting with smart common area cooling through sensors and actuators, in order to reduce power consumption. Water flow and flood sensors are used to monitor for any leakages that could result in excessive water consumption.
What is the supporting vision over the next 5 years?
wasl has been a pioneer in adopting innovation and has implemented a forward-thinking IT strategy tailored to a rapidly-changing business environment. A five-year strategy is continuously adjusted year-on-year for technology maturity and industry relevance.
wasl is actively working on innovations for a new generation of technologies including IoT, block chain and big data, in order to achieve a competitive advantage and continuously improve customer happiness. At the heart of the company’s smart technology strategy is the delivery of cutting-edge smart solutions that deliver great value to the day-to-day life of residents, and which meet the important socio-economic objectives of smart city technologies.
How has SAP helped enable this transformative journey?
Technology has changed every aspect of life and the way any organization does business. We at wasl have been effectively working with these changes in technology. To achieve this, we partnered with SAP to help deliver quality output to our stakeholders. SAP has consistently evolved its line of products and solutions to cater to the needs of the region, and especially the industry.
With the advent of HANA, SAP has provided us with a path not just to accomplish digitalization, but to become a digital enterprise that provides greater efficiency, by giving us real-time analytics that help us make better decisions. With help from SAP, wasl has been able to introduce new channels of communication with stakeholders, offer a better customer experience, secure environment, operational efficiency, and integrate with government entities. As a customer of SAP, we feel we’ve invested in the right technology — that understands the needs of the region and can address many aspects of our industry.
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