UAE realty focuses on tech-enabled integration of building operations

Inayat-ur-Rahman,Deputy Business Editor

Globally, a ‘next-gen’, digitised, integrated and connected model of building management is transforming the commercial real estate industry. A highly competitive market, stringent post-pandemic protocols and – most significantly – the enhanced expectations of a new generation of tenants, has accelerated digitization in the sector.

The UAE’s dynamic and innovation-friendly real estate industry has emerged as a global leader, in proactively embracing this transformation. Several high-profile real estate properties, portfolios and projects in the region, are collaborating with a new breed of IoT and AI enabled technology partners, to implement this ‘connected buildings’ operational model.

Netix Global BV, a SB Group International subsidiary specializing in vendor-neutral building automation solutions, has been awarded a contract by SAGA International Owners Association Management Services, a leading real estate management company with diversified investments and projects across the Middle East, to upgrade and integrate the operations and maintenance of its three towers in Dubai.

Mazaya Business Avenue Jointly Owned Property are an existing patron of ODS Global, a sister company of Netix Global BV that offers integrated building management services. The new contract reflects SAGA International’s continued faith in SB Group International and its subsidiaries, during an inflection point in the industry, marked by increased tech adoption and strategic partnerships.

The three towers, which are currently equipped with ODS Global’ BMS maintenance and state-of-the-art automation systems, will undergo vendor-agnostic integration and consolidation of operational data, via Netix’s intelligent Integrated Command & Control Centre (iICCC). IoT-based integration of BMS and multi-OEM assets leads to improved services, reduced operational costs, optimal resource utilization, and exceptional performances.

Netix’s iICCC process involves installation and integration of IoT and AI-based smart devices, to enable:    Hands-on, centralized control over portfolio data and operations. Real-time analytics insights, to enable data-driven decision making

Preventive and predictive maintenance of critical assets like HVAC. Reduced dependency on vendors and OEMs. Programmability and interoperabil for new services .

“The multifaceted challenges encountered by the commercial real estate industry during the pandemic have led to a focus on tech-enabled integration of building operations and management,” said Sanjeevv Bhatia, Chairman of the SB Group. “Netix’s enterprise-scale platform will allow Mazaya Business Avenue Jointly Owned Property to maximize efficiencies and savings on its existing BMS infrastructure, while unlocking enhanced experiences for occupants”.

 Samer Ganni, Managing Director of M/s. SAGA International Owners Association Management Services, the Owner Association Management company of Mazaya Business Avenue Jointly Owned Property, reiterated the need for intelligent, insight-led building operations, saying, “Vendor lock-in and reactive maintenance of individual equipment are at odds with present-day circumstances, which demand responsiveness, remote capabilities and seamless interoperability”.

“Our prior association with ODS Global, and a first-hand perspective on achievable outcomes, contributed to our decision to extend the partnership with the SB group International. We are looking forward to implementing an integrated and connected operational model, with the help of Netix Global,”  he added.

Strategic partnerships between building owners and service providers are driving the next generation of integrated real estate business models. This trend draws upon increased emphasis on data security and sustainability in the built environment, and enhancing the ability of service providers to deliver to best-in-class service standards, consistently.

Headquartered in Hoofdorp (Netherlands), Netix Global BV is a vendor neutral iIBMS automation solutions provider, with a strong focus on sustainable smart buildings, smart cities and energy efficiency. The company’s global presence currently extends from Europe to the Middle East, USA, India, Singapore, with upcoming debuts in Canada and Australia, as well as active opportunities being pursued in broader markets. Building on the strengths of an open framework and IoT technology driven approach, Netix Global BV is a premier provider of best-in-class building automation systems, solutions and services. The company’s comprehensive industry expertise ranges from design, engineering, integration, connectivity, testing, commissioning and maintenance of smart building eco-systems, and their components.