< Previous SUPPLIER NEWS www.fm-middleeast.com40 January 2021 RETROFIT The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) to the health and welfare of building inhabitants. Insufficient air filtration and ventilation has proven to increase the risk of airborne viral transmission in closed spaces. While the need to improve IAQ has always been a public health priority, it is now an urgent necessity with far reaching economic and employment impacts. To ensure the safe operation of buildings, improvements to ventilation and air filtration systems need to be placed in focus. The HVACR industry is calling on governments to initiate retrofitting measures for public buildings and to provide incentives for retrofits in the private sector. The energy savings achieved with better Heating, Ventilation ENERGY SAVINGS Moro Hub (Data Hub Integrated Solutions), a subsidiary of Digital DEWA, and Facilio, an AI-driven property operations cloud platform, has announced a strategic partnership, to launch Energy Management and Monitoring Services for commercial and residential buildings in the UAE. The new service aims to reinforce and bring to focus the next level energy- saving strategies of Dubai and the UAE. Marwan Bin Haidar, vice chairman of Moro Hub, said: “We are pleased to associate with Facilio to deliver the Energy Monitoring and Management service. Through this platform, we seek Improvement of ventilation and air fi ltration systems in existing buildings key to safer indoor environments Eurovent Middle East Position Paper highlights need for government incentivised retrofi tt ing Energy Monitoring and Management services ensure asset reliability and reduce energy- related capital and operational expenses Moro Hub joins forces with Facilio to boost UAE’s energy-saving strategies and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) installations will enable a return on investment within a short period of time, while improvements in ventilation has been proven to have an immediate impact on reducing exposure to airborne pathogens. Germany recently provided funds of EUR500m to upgrade ventilation systems in all state-owned buildings, from offices to schools and hospitals and this measure is expected to lead to significant improvements of IAQ while stimulating the economy by providing jobs and projects to the building and ventilation industry. A similar approach in the Middle East would equally create multiple benefits for governments, the economy and society. Tariq Al Ghussein, president of Eurovent Middle East, said: “Retrofitting in the region has historically gained traction for energy conservation reasons. However, its ability to improve ventilation and the provision of safe, clean air should now become a key focus. Supported by a framework of incentivisation and acceleration, retrofits could be a key driver for healthier and cleaner built environments.” to highlight the role of technologies in maximising power utilisation in various infrastructures, including buildings, and minimising electricity consumption through higher operational efficiency of key structures and facilities. This commitment is according to our endeavours to promote energy efficiency in buildings and in line with DEWA’s intensified initiatives to decrease power consumption levels of Dubai’s buildings.” Energy Monitoring and Management services ensure asset reliability and reduce energy-related capital and operational expenses. This cloud-based service provides a tailored approach to the efficient management of power in buildings by providing asset owners with the capability to control their digitised energy and assets network. The Energy Monitoring and Management service includes energy management; asset performance; fault detection and diagnostics; proactive maintenance management and measurement & verification. Insufficient air filtration has proven to increase the risk of airborne viral transmission. Moro Hub.www.fm-middleeast.com SUPPLIER NEWS January 2021 41 FUNDING UK based IoT startup OpenSensors, a technology company that provides data-driven workplace transformation solutions, has raised funding to scale its business. OpenSensors helps companies create the safest and most efficient path back to the office for company leaders and employees. Founder Yodit Stanton, a twenty- year tech industry veteran, started OpenSensors in 2016 when researching how environmental factors affected her daughter’s asthma. She realised that inexpensive sensors could measure environmental health and air quality, such as CO2 and light intensity to understand and improve indoor spaces. OpenSensors’s technology works seamlessly, behind the scenes, to reveal workplace and workforce conditions and patterns. It helps anyone running a workspace create safe, productive, agile and cost-effective work environments. OpenSensors has more than 30 customers with complex real estate operations across North America, Ireland, UK and Europe, in industries such as Insurance, Finance, Tech and more. Stanton, CEO and founder of OpenSensors, commented: “OpenSensors was founded to use data to measure, understand and improve the world around us. How we work and live are changing faster than we could have ever anticipated. There is a real opportunity for humanity to rethink how we use the physical world with sustainability in mind as well as making the design of workplaces better for people using them. Businesses need an efficient way to gather data about their office buildings to manage capacity so employees can return to the workplace safely and rethink design based on need rather than the status quo.” OpenSensors has raised $4m in seed funding from investors, including Crane Venture Partners. Today, OpenSensors has 16 employees distributed across Europe and will be using new funds to support international demand and build roll out products and help customers reopen offices. Scott Sage, Partner at Crane Venture Partners, said: “With data insights, real-world usage and known customer references, OpenSensors has all the ingredients to become a trusted advisor and solutions provider throughout Covid-19 and the immediate recovery, as well as supporting the shift towards more flexible working that Covid-19 has accelerated.” SAFETY Ajman hotels have received the ‘BV’ certification for adopting the highest safety guidelines to protect guests, visitors, and hospitality employees in the Emirate, in line with the strengthening of precautionary measures taken by the UAE. HH Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Humaid Al Nuaimi Chairman of Ajman Tourism said: “We are delighted that the hotels in Ajman have carried out the necessary measures and obtained this certification for the wellbeing of the residents and visitors. This falls in line with the UAE’s leadership efforts in maintaining the safety of all residents & visitors, and to enhance the readiness of the Emirate of Ajman to attract more local and international tourists.” HE Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, ATDD Director General said: “Bureau Veritas (BV) is the highest level of recognition that comprises of a comprehensive checklist to confirm compliance with good hygiene practices, social distancing, and every listed recommendation to maintain the highest levels of safety. Ajman Tourism continues to conduct regular inspections of Ajman’s tourist establishments to ensure all precautionary guidelines are followed.” OpenSensors measures air quality and space utilisation to help organisations return to work safely using sensors to monitor workspaces The certifi cation is for adopting the highest safety guidelines to protect guests, visitors, and hospitality employees OpenSensors raises $4m to help large organisations create safe, productive and fl exible workplaces Ajman Hotels receive ‘BV’ certifi cation Yodit Stanton, CEO and founder of OpenSensors. HH Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Chairman of Ajman Tourism. 5 MINUTES WITH... 42 January 2021 What does your role involve? As CEO of the Middle East, I am responsible for 7 countries in the region; providing strategic, financial and operational leadership and ensuring the performance is in line with the overall growth strategy of the region and of the group. I am also leading the ‘zero harm’ safety culture within the organization as I believe it is the cornerstone of our operations and our differentiator in the market as well as within the Sodexo Group. THIS MONTH: RACHID NOUJEIM, CEO, SODEXO MIDDLE EAST What do you love most about your job? Knowing that each day through our food and facili- ties management services we touch the lives of half a million people in hospitals, schools, universities, offices, remote oil and gas platforms and labour camps is a great feeling. FMME delves into the roles and lives to understand what makes the region’s FM professionals tick 3.00 What is the most challenging aspect of your job? The most challenging aspect is what I call the “loneliness of the position”… no matter how you work as a team, at the end of the day as a CEO there is an aspect of the job that you cannot share with anyone, and you have to deal with some matters on your own. The decisions you make impacts people’s livelihood, impacts projects, it impacts the company. 1.45 What do you like to do in your spare time? I love spending time with my kids. I also spare enough time for my reading centred mainly on history and man- agement and I try to exercise as well; swimming is what I enjoy most. 4.45 What is the most memorable project and why? One memorable project is our first true IFM win in Qatar to manage the services on behalf of a client across 12 different service lines. Another one that came after one of the toughest contract negotiations with a governmental body, following every round of negotiation we left the meeting with a feeling of dropping negotiations. However, after couple of months we were able to sign and mobilise 38 different sites. 2.05 0.00 Where do you see the FM industry in 5 years? The FM industry in the region will see the need to focus on human- centered and experience-based solutions to boost client performance more efficiently. There will be a rapid shift from just offering technical solutions to solutions that are of strategic importance integrating people, places, processes and technology. 4.05 www.fm-middleeast.com Managing Director Sue Holt Group Sales Manager Vinay Ravindran Distribution & Warehouse Manager Praveen Nair 2021Wednesday 17th February FOR SPONSORSHIP ENQUIRIES: MOUTAZ GADELHAK Sales Manager T: +971 4 444 3177 E: Moutaz.Gadelhak@itp.com FOR EVENT ENQUIRIES SHERDIL BABAR Conference Producer T: +971 4 444 3223 E: Sherdil.Babar@itp.com With the consequences of COVID-19 still affecting the construction industry amongst many others, Construction Week's Dispute Resolution Question Time will explore how technology is being utilised for late payment resolution, contract claims, arbitration options and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms as we enter a more digitally driven world. Find out more: www.itp.events/DRQT-DubaiNext >