< Previous TOP FM SUPPLIERS 2022 www.fm-middleeast.com60 December 2022 Nanosoft Technologies Eashak Ali Director In terms of sales, Nanosoft Technologies achieved its highest new order with 32% growth rate, in which 58% of the orders contributing to its SaaS model. The firm received a new software product development project from one of the leading real estate group in the UAE on time billing basis which was one of its business diversification strategies entering to new markets and new products. It has also launched and implemented integrated Smart Utility billing software for water & electricity with CRT (cost reflective tariff ) which is one of the complex billings followed in Oman. Additionally, Nanosoft has also developed and implemented OAM functionalities for a leading property developer in Dubai with completely redesigned mobile app for the use of tenants and homeowners. In terms of technology, the firm has migrated to React Platform supporting Linux servers with an option of MS SQL & Postgres SQL DB. With home- grown tools the software development process has been automated for quick and quality deliveries following agile methodology. Eashak Ali, director at Nanosoft Technologies, says: “Next year, we are looking forward to offer Real Estate Management ERP software & OAM solution on cloud, which will have a range of products for leasing, FM, finance, landlords, tenants, homeowners, holiday operators and technicians. As per our road map SMART FM core web application will be made fully mobile compatible by end of 2023 enabling more active engagement by all stakeholder users accessing the software. Our client base in Oman is increasing and we are planning to open offices in Oman and offer partners for Saudi & Qatar and other MENA region. Our key focus is on sustainable business growth, client acquisition, centralized finance, Enhanced SaaS offerings, Online Payments for SaaS, Technology enhancements and empowering employee and self-development.” Talking about the FM market, Ali says: “The FM market continues to grow and adoption of technology has significantly increased in last 3 to 4 years. All size of service providers (small, medium and large) property owners are actively looking for digital transformation of their FM operations to achieve operational excellence. Few customers have also migrated to SMART FM from other CAFM software to benefit from the advanced functionalities, competitive pricing and support and scalability. We have successfully implemented seven major projects in given timeline and retained 100% clients using our SaaS model. The FM market is more demanding in terms of automation and artificial intelligence which needs integration with multiple systems of a facility to provide the required information.”TOP FM SUPPLIERS 2022 www.fm-middleeast.comDecember 2022 61 Netix.ai Sanjeevv Bhatia CEO Wilo Middle East Yasser Nagi Managing Director Netix.ai’s achievements in the past 12 months have been underpinned by the “Right to Repair” movement the firm launched earlier. Sanjeevv Bhatia, CEO of Netix.ai, explains: “The movement draws upon our vision of future-proofing further led Netix.ai to becoming the Gold Tier Partners of Tridium, the renowned developer of the Niagara Framework. Subsequently, Netix.ai’s open-source controllers bagged e-commerce giant Amazon’s approval for adoption in 59 fulfilment centres across Europe. The interactions along the way with real estate stakeholders - owners, FM operators, and occupants - added a new dimension to the firm’s understanding of ecosystem challenges, inspiring it to launch Middle East’s first-ever Sustainability Finance Model. Sustainability As A Service will become the new SAAS model for Netix and its partners over the coming year. The digital and sustainable transformations of buildings will remain Netix.ai’s key focus. That is because about 80% of buildings that will exist in 2050 are already built. So, the current energy- and carbon- intensive operations in buildings run counterproductive to long-term climate goals such as the UAE’s net-zero 2050. old, existing buildings by increasing operational efficiencies, optimising energy usage, and establishing an open-protocol model for future readiness through the implementation of our proprietary IoT and AI-based solutions: intelligent Integrated Building Management System (iIBMS) and Netix Konnect. “We adopted a holistic strategy that includes raising awareness, entering strategic collaborations and partnerships, and launching incentive models to support sustainable transformations and empower front-line departments such as FM. To that end, we participated in the Hospitality Network’s Stakeholder Conference 2021 as a sponsor and demonstrated the achievable positive outcomes in hospitality facilities through an experience room. Likewise, we were the lead sponsors of the government-hosted RetrofitTech Abu Dhabi Summit, where we underscored the need to retrofit existing buildings and optimise FM functions.” The pursuit of synergistic value The facilities management (FM) sector has been witnessing tremendous growth, with the rising need for efficiency and cost-efficient operations, says Yasser Nagi, managing director of Wilo Middle East and group sales director of MENA region. He says: “It is projected that in the next five years, companies in the FM sector will consider advantages such as long-term contracts, latest and innovative methods, increased value for suppliers and continuity in services. The emergence of smart buildings that utilise technologies for efficient and effective operations, has enhanced the well-being of occupants, by leveraging data analytics that ensures environmental sustainability of a building. “Owing to the rapid digitalisation of the FM sector, we can see various technologies as well as mobile applications making a headway in facilitating ease of operations and business intelligence, which is fostered by growth of data access. Employees now can work remotely with better connectivity, which has bolstered the virtual work environment. “In addition to the many potentials, there are several difficulties, such as those related to cost, security, acceptance, and unreasonable customer expectations. Besides the costs related to the software development processes, companies need to take into account additional expenditures for maintenance, support, upgrades, and other charges.” Since its inception in 1872, Wilo has been committed to setting standards and driving the sector forward sustainably. The company has successfully delivered its superior solutions to several significant private and government projects, as well as contributed to the market›s growth. Over the past year, Wilo has offered its pumps and systems to help countries ensure food security through the Toshka Project in Egypt. The Toshka project’s long-term strategic objective is to make the country independent of wheat imports and guarantee a reliable food supply. As part of the project, Wilo offered its advanced pumping solutions to assist Egypt in achieving this goal. Nagi says: “At Wilo, our mission is to introduce energy-efficient products that will help businesses boost their overall productivity, and develop advanced, intelligent solutions for the industrial sector in the UAE and the larger Middle East. In order to meet the expanding market demands and acknowledge the region’s growing importance, Wilo is also making an investment in Saudi Arabia by setting up an assembly facility and driving office expansion.” TOP FM SUPPLIERS 2022 www.fm-middleeast.com62 December 2022 Sanipex Group Calum Stewart Group Retail Director Sanipex Group’s focus is to build on its existing reputation as a complete lifestyle supplier. The firm is increasing its bathroom portfolio to include two new complete ranges, Bristol and Orology. Offering flexibility and functionability, Orology, is a complete range of mixers, furniture and bespoke basins, while Bristol brings classical elegance to the modern bathroom combining soft industrial style with mixers in four finishes. To complete the Bristol range, Sanipex has a selection of terrazzo counter top basins and adding to the range it has the luxurious freestanding and countertop resin basins and a matching freestanding bathtub in Galaxy Black. Calum Stewart, group retail director, Sanipex Group, adds: “We are also continuing to focus on our new Bystro Kithen lifestyle brand which brings a blend of exceptional style and functionality to the heart of the home, catering to both indoor and outdoor kitchens, ensuring we have stock to fufill market demand will be our prime goal this year for this newly launched program.” With the opening of its slab fabrication showroom and production facility in Jebel Ali, Sanipex Group is also expanding its offering to ensure it can give its clients exactly what they want when they want it. Offering custom basins and counters, for bathrooms, kitchen and outdoor use, with a choice of over 200 exquisite slab options in stock, the firm can keep up with latest design trends and offer bespoke options to clients offering the ability to make one custom basin or 100. Talking about the challenges this year, Stewart says: “The Covid-19 pandemic put the world on pause for way too long, with restricted travel and rigid safety rules posing a challenge for all of us. We initially noticed a large decrease in our usual showroom traffic so had to find other ways to reach our clients. Other issues we noticed was the shortage of available stock from our production facilities and suppliers due to limited work force and raw materials. “To triumph over these challenging times, we quickly learnt to adapt and find new-age solutions, highlighting our strengths and working on them to deliver the best possible service to our customers. The swift and strategic shifting of our focus allowed us to turn the situation around and benefit us with some notable achievements.” To succeed during these trying times, Sanipex Group enhanced its digital presence and build on its e-commerce services to offer clients a smoother, more convenient online experience. The firm improved its websites, further developing the online shopping section that allowed customers to seamlessly browse the stock it had available and make the required purchases hassle-free. Also foreseeing the need to increase its stock holding with proactive ordering gave it the upper hand in preparing for the future. The group had the foresight to increase production and orders from third party suppliers to ensure it had enough availability to formulate an ambitious stock plan that ensured all customer needs were met. Its various warehouses supported it in this and enabled the fulfilment of numerous client orders while others in the market struggled to fulfill demand. Stewart says: “Ensuring we always had stock available for purchase, even during the trying times of the pandemic has enabled us to continue to support the FM and design community and be there for our clients. Our continued delivery services as well as our 24 hour order and pick up service also helped us maintain our high standards and quality of service.”TOP FM SUPPLIERS 2022 www.fm-middleeast.comDecember 2022 63 TechnoPurple Tracking Amit Jain Managing Director For TechnoPurple Tracking, 2022 marks the completion of half a decade of serving facility management companies in the UAE. Amit Jain, managing director, TechnoPurple Tracking, says: “From being a company based in India, which nobody knew about in the UAE, to serving the who’s who of the FM industry – we are proud of our journey in such a short time. We thank our customers, system users, partners, suppliers and employees who embraced us with open arms and gave us a platform to implement technology solutions that this region has not seen before. “Over the last five years, we’ve had the privilege to work with top brands like Imdaad, Emrill, Serco, Keolis, Global Village, RAK Public Service Department, Arada, Adeeb Group, and Al Sultan. Through the thousand plus licences active on the ground on a daily basis, we track the closure of a million plus jobs on a monthly basis across the UAE.” Jain adds: “We owe our global success in FM Tech and Prop Tech domains to the UAE and it was time we gave back to this innovative country. 2022 marks the spread of our footprint outside India and we are happy to share that TechnoPurple Software Trading LLC has been registered in the UAE as a Dubai Mainland Company. With an office in the Business Bay Area – Dubai, we look forward to offering better and faster services to our clients with this new venture.” Till recently, TechnoPurple offered a real-time workforce tracking app and some companies integrated it with their existing backends like Maximo, FSI, Infor. etc. Through this integration, customers used to get the best of both worlds – a stable CAFM at the backend and an innovative, feature rich app with the ground workforce. While the firm continues to do that, in the last 12 months, TechnoPurple has revamped its offering for the FM domain and gone full suite. The firm’s greatest achievement this year has been implementing an end-to- end service request management system in a high traffic arena like Global Village. In addition to the Technician Tracking App, TechnoPurple has deployed new modules, namely the Requestor App, Service Request Management Workflows, PPM Contract and Job Scheduling, Automatic Creation of Corrective Maintenance Jobs, Asset Management, Inventory Management, BI Dashboards etc. TechnoPurple will strengthen its presence in the UAE by increasing the implementation and support team sizes on the ground. Its target this year is to get direct orders from government departments like municipalities so that “it can make a difference to the well- being of a bigger audience through the power of real-time FM”. Also, TechnoPurple will be leveraging Amazon Web Services (AWS) to localise its hosting capabilities so that UAE customer data remains in the UAE and gets processed in the UAE. Talking about the challenges, Jain says: “Our customers say the FM market has been under a lot of cost pressure in the last year. There was cutthroat competition and we feared technology would bear the brunt of budget cuts. Fortunately, most FM companies in the Middle East realise that reduction in cost, without compromise in quality is only possible through improving the efficiency of their operations through the use of technology. FM companies that imbibe transparency and present their good and not-so-good aspects on a technology-backed platform are seeing stronger and lasting relationships with their end clients. “At this point, our hands are full with a lot of challenging projects and we are confident in delivering awesomeness to our clients the way we have for over a decade since 2010,” Jain concludes. TOP FM SUPPLIERS 2022 www.fm-middleeast.com64 December 2022 VERTECO David King Managing Director MENA The year 2022 has been an exceptional year for VERTECO and the company has achieved significant successes across both of their business divisions. Firstly, VERTECO’s well-established suite of Smart Washroom Technology solutions have continued to dominate the FM sector. Accelerated by Covid-19 and the subsequent realisation of the need for exceptional hygiene standards in public spaces, their Smart Cleaning Technology has been supporting impeccable cleanliness and improved user satisfaction efficiencies. They have delivered three major water-saving projects with leading FM providers so far in 2022, and in their well-established position as trusted partners and experts in sustainability, they continue to work with enviro consultants and energy saving companies across the region. David King, managing director of VERTECO for the MENA Region says: “The FM market has been very good for VERTECO in 2022. The UAE demonstrated an exemplary response to the pandemic and were very quick to adopt to the drastically improved hygiene standards that were required within public spaces in order to keep people safe. Locally, forward-thinking FM companies adopted Smart Technology as a solution to this need, realising not only the range of improved health and safety benefits they offer to customers and staff, but also the sustainability merits of adopting such tech. “However, Covid continues to present many challenges, across every industry and sector, around the world. FM is no exception, but as consumer demands continue to evolve, new opportunities arise. VERTECO’s ongoing mission is to continue to work with leaders and governments across the region, to highlight the benefits of innovative Smart Cleaning Technology. If the company can demonstrate the extent to which hygiene standards can be improved, whilst achieving environmental, resource and cost efficiencies, then 2023 will be another great year for VERTECO.” Sustainability remains at the core of VERTECO. The company will continue to deliver water conservation projects across the region in 2023, helping businesses to reduce their environmental footprint and achieve their sustainability goals. It will also deliver numerous major Smart Technology projects which have recently been won in the UAE, Qatar and KSA. The company’s focus in 2023 will be growth of the Smart Cleaning Technology division. VERTECO will work closely with FM companies to highlight the enormous benefits – including enhanced staff efficiencies, reduced costs, and environmental savings – that integrated Smart Tech can offer. for many businesses. The technology has been introduced to numerous well-known retail properties across the UAE, and, thanks to the growth of the IoT and AI in managing facilities, as well as the recent launch of VERTECO’s data driven cleaning technology which allows the same smart cleaning principles to be applied within any area of a building, the company’s exponential growth is expected to continue into 2023. The company’s water conservation efforts have also seen a phenomenal year, with a 35% growth in revenue within the hospitality sector alone. VERTECO has continued to make a difference through their water-saving work with businesses looking to achieve significant environmental and operational TOP FM SUPPLIERS 2022 www.fm-middleeast.comDecember 2022 65 Virtual IT Andreas Hadjioannou Managing Director The year 2022 has been another successful year for Virtual IT adding important accounts into its customer base from KSA, Qatar and the UAE. It has also been a major year for the firm in expanding its portfolio of solutions from CAFM to complete Integrated Workplace Management Systems (IWMS) with the launch of its partnership with Planon, says Andreas Hadjioannou, managing director of Virtual IT. Planon has been in business for almost 40 years currently with offices in 15 countries around the world and 850+ employees. Planon delivers end-to-end real estate management capabilities, comprehensive workplace services tools for employees, advanced business intelligence integrations, and broad functionality for facility management service providers. According to the Verdantix 2022 Green Quadrant Integrated Workplace Management Systems (IWMS) March 2022 report, Planon is a leader in the IWMS market worldwide. With Planon, Virtual IT has extended its portfolio of solutions offering end- to-end workplace management solution covering Real Estate Management, Space & Workplace Services Management, Asset & Maintenance and Energy & Sustainability Management. Planon Real Estate Management provides organisations with a full lifecycle support in Property Management, ensuring efficient and professional execution in both their operational and strategic processes. Space & Workplace Services Management provides visibility into the distribution and occupation density of all space. The Asset & Maintenance Management module is the standard CAFM functionality while the Energy & Sustainability Management is a unique module to Planon that integrates all related FM data silos into a single knowledge database required to manage sustainability. Planon Energy & Sustainability Management allows organisations to measure and monitor all energy consumption, carbon emissions in relation to maintenance performance and space used. On the platform level Planon offers unique capabilities like Smart Infrastructure. The open architecture with API interfaces and IoT integration enables customers to easily connect assets and devices for data capture and performance monitoring, and also link external public or private data sources to augment internal climate data with. This enables companies to embed all kinds of data to do business sustainably. Hadjioannou says: “The market this year has seen an increase in demand for IoT solutions, integrated with IWMS/CAFM, space management and sustainability. Organisations are asking for functionality with the ability to identify space, lower portfolio costs, create a pleasant working environment, improve productivity and generate reports to develop strategic space plans. “Property management and service providers are approaching us for solutions and tools that will help them monitor resource consumption across their customer’s portfolio managing their ESG strategies, establish goals, manage, plan and deliver measures that have a lasting, positive impact to the environment. “As a Planon Partner we are very positive for the next year as the demand is shifting from CAFM systems to more intelligent Integrated Workplace Management Systems. With Planon, we can deliver innovative IWMS solutions that have the ability to connect buildings, people and processes, by eliminating data silos and aligning solutions into one shared information platform, empowering all building stakeholders with actionable and meaningful insights.”www.fm-middleeast.com66 December 2022 EVENT NEWS EVENT Plan3Media Event Management, Dubai’s event management company, announced the schedule of IRECMS Dubai 2022. Riding on the success of Madrid, Riyadh, Bahrain, Mumbai, Milan, and Bogotá editions, IRECMS Dubai will have a 4-day schedule with a variety of industry events and will host over 300 delegates and 40 speakers from across the world with support from 9 global industry associations. IRECMS Dubai, scheduled for 6–9th December 2022 at the Address Hotel, Dubai Marina, will bring luminaries of Community, Facility, Property, and Asset management industries from across the globe under one roof. Dubai’s growing stature as a hub for innovation and industry-best practices is an added value proposition of this edition, as per Jatin Deepchandani, CEO of Plan3Media Event Management. “In recent years, IRECMS has steadily grown into an association par excellence in the real estate management industry globally. Our objective of positioning the summit as an avenue for effective knowledge flows, a benchmark for best practices, and a pulse for the industry will enter its execution phase in the IRECMS Dubai edition. The overwhelming early response to the event has only strengthened our conviction,” added Deepchandani. A strong testament to this edition’s ambition is the first day’s masterclasses, where a close-knit group of professionals will interact with renowned subject- matter experts. The mode of engagement, using use-case studies and a solutions- oriented approach as opposed to passive listening, is expected to leave attendees with actionable takeaways. Equally monumental is the following CAM G10 summit, where, for the first time in Dubai, industry stalwarts from 10 countries will congregate for transnational deliberations on finding solutions to contemporary challenges in the ecosystem. Dubai is also set to welcome Dr. Marshall Goldsmith, the #1 Business Coach and four-time NYT Bestseller, as he graces IRECMS on 8 December for an exclusive keynote session. Parallelly, plenary sessions, closed-door round table conferences, and Tech Talks — a topical discussion on property technologies — will be underway, interspersed with fun events such as a drumming session with an African band. “The penultimate gala awards ceremony is the perfect watercooler after three days of formal repertoire,” Jatin continued, “Our reputation for merit-based award culture will be exemplified by this edition as companies with innovative offerings, future-proof operations, and a purpose-driven approach will walk away as winners.” Over 35 finalists across 20 categories had given presentations to a 27-member jury from across the world, making a compelling case for themselves. IRECMS Dubai has all the hallmarks of a landmark event, especially given its timing when real estate management is undergoing a structural, tech- driven shift. This juncture called for a global professional association. And Plan3Media, along with Presenting Sponsor MYBOS, and Association Sponsor PROVIS have responded to the need rather resoundingly. IRECMS Dubai is scheduled for 6–9th December 2022 at the Address Hotel, Dubai Marina Global real estate management leaders to share best practices at IRECMS Dubai 2022 Managing Director Alex Reeve Deputy Managing Director Nicky Dawson Commercial Director Vinay Ravindran Distribution Coordinator Avinash Pereira Circulation Executive Rajesh Pillai Production Manager Denny Kollannoor Group Editor Carla Sertin ART Art Director Amjad Ayche Designer Tofiq Memon Videographers Muhammad Kaleem, Julius Garcia Photographer Marwan Elsayed Video Editor Liju Cheruvathur www.fm-middleeast.com Jatin Deepchandani, CEO of Plan3Media Event Management. IFMA_FMME_FULL PAGE AD_JUNE2022_11.21.2022.indd 111/21/22 2:48 PM& & & /Concordia DMCCinfo@concordiadubai.com +971 4 368 8883 Offering a diverse range of Facility Management solutions to different types of properties. Highly trained professionals | Award-winning services | Flexible & affordable Our services are trusted by properties spanning across 253.5 million sq.ft. in DubaiNext >