9 minute read
SOFTWARE
IN THE SAFETY SHOES AND HARD HATS OF THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
RIB CCS was awarded Software Solutions Company of the Year 2021 at the BNC Construction Innovation Awards, which recognises individual excellence, corporate strength and project success in the region’s construction industry.
Andrew Skudder, RIB CCS CEO, says being recognised as the leading software company is a credit to the hard work conducted by RIB CCS team members. “Their work is informed by practical experience, lessons learned and industry best practice – all underpinned by innovative solutions that empower players in the construction industry.” With the construction industry being one of the least digitised industries globally, RIB CCS’ purpose is to drive digital transformation in the industry through smart technology that is aimed at improving efficiencies and enhancing productivity in the built environment.
Skudder says the award comes on the cusp of the business’s 40th year of delivering specialised software solutions to the industry. “It is a wonderful affirmation by the industry that we are on the right track. It also underlines our efforts to build an international reputation for excellence.”
He says the company works hard to attract, motivate and retain talented employees. “We are focused on establishing the benchmark when it comes to development, support and service. All support, training and implementation personnel are experienced construction industry professionals, capable of providing expert support, assistance and advice on the practical application of our products.”
“In addition, we understand the stress of meeting tight deadlines for tenders, cost reports or financial management reports. We have become our customers’ trusted advisors and we show them not only how to use our software, but how to embed industry best practice in their organisations. We make it our mission to place ourselves in their safety shoes and hard hats,” adds Skudder.
The award also bears testimony to the support and trust of RIB CCS clients. “Our clients’ partner with us for the long-term and because of this, we’ve fostered a strong service-oriented culture around our training and support services. When we talk about around-the-clock support, we truly mean it – our clients can pick up the phone and talk to us any time of day – and we feel that this is what really sets us apart.”
The RIB CCS journey started more than 40 years ago. The business has scaled significantly over the years as the world has become increasingly digitised. Everything it does leverages the latest digital technologies to empower its clients to run their businesses better.
Skudder says RIB CCS is focused on addressing many of the challenges the industry faces. “While construction is the single largest industry vertical in the world, it lags behind in average productivity growth and has only grown by about 1% in the last decade.
“Construction projects are also highrisk endeavours, which yield a large capital investment value, sometimes running into millions and even billions. What we’re seeing is that the margins are increasingly placed under pressure and recorded at about 4% or 5%, on average,” he adds.
Research shows that approximately 80% of all construction projects run over time and/or over budget, resulting in low levels of customer satisfaction. “All of these challenges are further compounded by the fact that the construction industry is one of the least digitised industries across the field, ranking 22 of 23 industry verticals.
“We are, however, now at an interesting stage within the built environment where there are fit-for-purpose digital solutions that can fast-track the journey. And that’s where we come in. It’s our mission to drive this digital transformation of the industry so that it can prosper for many generations to come,” notes Skudder.
Looking ahead, he says the focus for RIB CCS will always be on its clients. “We constantly work to improve our own operations to provide even greater service. We understand the importance of a single view of the customer. It helps us to better serve them, which amplifies both their success and ours. And we’re expanding on and exploring new and cutting-edge digital technology every day, so that we can do that more intelligently.”
DESIGNING LUXURY EXPERIENCE
Ziad El Chaar, Vice Chairman, Dar Al Arkan Properties, discusses the brand’s ideology, sustainability, real estate’s role in Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, and current developments
Tell us about Dar Al Arkan Properties’ brand philosophy. Dar Al Arkan’s brand philosophy embraces innovation, luxury and excellence. With innovation and the latest industry technology as key drivers, Dar Al Arkan has significantly influenced the growth and diversification of the real estate sector in Saudi Arabia and has succeeded in setting new standards for commercial, residential, and mixed-use projects with superior standards and design.
How do you select international designers for your luxury villa projects? We select mainly international designers who are relevant to the target market and already established an interior design collection, so our approach is not just a brand tag but a fashion brand with the interior design already integrated into its DNA.
What can you tell us about the Shams Ar Riyadh project and your collaborations with brands like Versace and Elie Saab? Shams Ar Riyadh is a premium grand master plan in Saudi Arabia, spanning more than 5msqm. The project comprises both commercial and residential spaces, incorporated with the finest facilities for an exclusive lifestyle. Indeed, it is for the Shams Ar Riyadh project that we have been collaborating with some of the world’s leading luxury brands to deliver exclusive, highly sought-after properties.
We have a unique collaboration with Versace Home, which will bring the world’s first-ever villas with interiors by Versace Home to Shams Ar Riyadh. Versace Home’s outstanding design and craftsmanship will augment the extraordinary ‘Upside Living’ design of the limited-edition luxury villas which will overlook the historic and natural setting of Wadi Hanifa.
Also, recently we have partnered with designer Elie Saab to launch a limited number of co-branded villas which reflect the sophisticated elegance and exceptional detailing that Elie Saab is recognised for.
When is it expected that this project will be completed? The project is being executed by seven contractors currently on-site and the first phase will be handed over by September 2021.
What are your thoughts on sustainability and why it should be a primary consideration in a construction project? We are committed to protecting the environment and ensuring community sustainability by educating our employees, contractors, suppliers, and communities about the impact our business activities can have on the surrounding environment and place heavy emphasis on the responsible behaviour Dar Al Arkan expect to eliminate, reduce and control potential environmental impacts.
Can you tell us about how COVID-19 has affected your business and how it has transformed your work? The Saudi real estate market was not immune to the impact of the pandemic. However, it demonstrated remarkable
Ziad El Chaar, Vice Chairman, Dar Al Arkan Properties
resilience. This was confirmation of the underlying strengths of the fundamental drivers of the market. We were the first real estate company to launch online booking during the lockdown and our project which was launched for online booking during the pandemic recorded more than 200 million SR in sales. This motivated us to invest more and more in our portal that will enjoy a mega launch soon.
From an internal perspective, our management and staff worked tirelessly to enable us to remain focused on our strategic priorities. The pandemic accelerated the adoption of specific solutions and introduced new specific challenges.
How will real estate contribute to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030? Real estate is a significant contributor to achieving the goals of Vision 2030. The diversification and growth of the real estate sector will help strengthen the country’s economy by building a foundation that relies less upon traditional sources of income and more upon newly activated economic sectors. The plan is a spark of hope for private businesses and new avenues of investment. How is technology beneficial to real estate development? The company seeks to push the frontiers of technology and innovation for our industry and we apply this across all areas of our business. From supporting staff with new ways of working to making the customer’s purchase process more convenient, innovation is central to our success.
For instance, we are currently employing the latest production methods, using 3D Construction Printing (3DCP) technology which will accelerate the speed of construction while enhancing safety and reducing wastage and errors.
We will soon also launch our online portal “Waslat”; a digitised real estate hub, offering everything everyone needs in one place. As well as providing Dar Al Arkan’s properties, it also provides more than 4,000 other quality properties in over 11 countries around the world. The portal also offers various solutions, products and services that will revolutionise how people can find the perfect property, get a suitable payment method, and trust the property’s valuation. >>>
What trends will influence real estate development and architectural design in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the future? Sustainable development has been an increasingly important dimension in the Kingdom since the inception of the country’s development process and we recognize the importance of sustainability as a guiding principle for our business strategy. We strongly believe that corporates carry a responsibility towards all stakeholders; employees, investors, the community in which they operate and our planet. Such a belief is not in conflict with delivering superior shareholder returns. In fact, it is only by approaching business through a sustainability lens that we could position Dar Al Arkan for success. What other projects do you have on the go? Our portfolio of projects in the Kingdom includes Shams Ar Riyadh villas with interiors by Elie Saab, Versace and Roberto Cavalli; Shams Al Aroos and Khozam, both in Jeddah.
Outside of Saudi Arabia, we have the Urban Oasis in Dubai featuring bespoke apartments with luxury interiors designed by Roberto Cavalli, with water views and access on the Dubai Canal, and easy proximity to major attractions. We also have Sidra, a new gated community in the heart of Bosnia, within a stunning 540,000sqm landscape characterised by breathtaking landscapes all year long and considered to be the largest single real estate development project in the country.
