Dubai, UAE, 10 October 2018: The Middle East Facility Management Association (MEFMA), a non-profit body that provides a dedicated platform for FM professionals, emphasised the need for the regional FM industry to adopt next-generation technologies, to achieve savings on building operating costs and provide a better customer experience, the association said in Press communiqué.

The association made this statement following its recently concluded forum, ‘Future Technology in the Facilities Management Industry’, which was held at the Marina Hotel, in Kuwait.

According to MEFMA, its study revealed that applying cutting-edge technologies results in 20-25% savings on building operating costs, as well as leads to 25-30% reduction in energy cost. The association noted that computer-aided facility management (CAFM), building management systems, mobile solutions, sensors, cloud computing and remote-control systems, among others, provide the greatest potential for development and have the biggest impact on service delivery, the communiqué said.

Speaking on the occasion, Ahmad Al Kandari, Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, UFM, MEFMA board member, commented: “Complex and intelligent structures require technology-driven, integrated FM services to ensure optimum use of facilities, smooth and efficient operations, and substantial savings at all levels. The future FM sector in the Middle East will be determined by its capability to adopt technologies and will be measured by the efficiency of its delivery of services. To remain highly competitive in the modern world, we should incorporate smart tools into traditional services to make them more efficient, achieve higher savings, properly maintain the facilities and expand margins for utility management companies and customers alike. The possibilities are endless, and the FM community should keep up with these dramatic changes, brought on by ongoing technological innovations.”