- Industry heavyweights discuss making the Building Internet of Things a reality in the Middle East

- Eighty-nine percent 'confident' that their organization could use technology to develop a green, connected and sustainable building by 2021

Dubai, United Arab Emirates – Leveraging the Internet of Things (IoT) to make the region’s buildings ‘smarter’ was the key theme at a customer conference held recently in Dubai by Honeywell (NYSE: HON), a leader in Connected Buildings software and technologies.

The Honeywell Users Group (HUG) thought leadership event, held in the Middle East for the second time, brought together more than 100 industry professionals and opinion formers to discuss the ‘smart building evolution’ and how ‘connected buildings’ are revolutionizing lives in cities across the region. Honeywell was joined at the event by representatives from some of the leading global and regional organizations including Microsoft, Etihad ESCO, Masdar, Dubai Airports and other industry experts, to address the evolving role of building technology in driving change.

A survey conducted during the event revealed a high level of industry confidence in the potential of connected buildings and the benefits they offer. Nearly nine out of ten (89 percent) attendees said they felt confident their organization could develop a green, connected and sustainable building by 2021, by leveraging smart technology.

“The Internet of Things is reshaping every aspect of our lives, which is why connectivity is at the heart of everything we do at Honeywell. Not only are connected buildings the fundamental building blocks of smart cities, they improve user experience and drive operational savings. Today, 40% of the world’s global resources are consumed by residential and commercial buildings, but by investing in the right technology, we can build smart buildings that are greener, safer, and more productive,” said Norm Gilsdorf, president, Honeywell, Middle East, Russia, Turkey and Central Asia. “The Middle East, and especially Dubai, are leading the way towards smart cities, and we are proud to be playing our part in this exciting evolution that improves people’s happiness, while at the same time conserves our global energy and water resources.”

Honeywell is setting the benchmark by blending physical products with software solutions to connect people and assets together. The event enables like-minded industry professionals to come together and discuss the issues, challenges and solutions of building IoT across a wide spectrum of verticals.

Paolo Cervini, president, Honeywell Building Solutions, Middle East, Russia, Turkey and Africa, added: “Building operators across the Middle East are under pressure to make facilities more green, safe and productive, all while reducing operating costs. To achieve this, building and facility managers in the region can utilize IoT to their advantage. IoT is creating huge opportunities for operators by enabling valuable data analysis for more insightful and accurate decision making. It’s important that we continue to inform decision makers on the opportunities presented by IoT and how they can continue to develop smarter buildings using cloud technology.”

Honeywell was joined by Richard Dean from Dubai Eye 103.8, who moderated a series of panel sessions consisting of industry heavyweights covering ‘connected green buildings’, ‘connected productive buildings’ and ‘connected secure buildings.’ Guests at HUG were given the opportunity to attend a series of workshops and network with Building IoT experts.

Panelists included Stephen Severance, head of program management and Marketing for Masdar;  Ali Al Jassim, CEO, Etihad ESCO; and Robert Okpala, group director, Burohappold Engineering, Saudi Arabia; Puneet Uppal, group director of engineering, Bonnington Jumeriah Lakes Towers; Ghazi Atallah, CEO, NXN; and Assad Nassreddine, advisor to the CEO of Al Mutawer (DOKAAE Projects, Development of King Abdul Aziz Endowment); and Tareque Choudhury, director, risk management and architecture, Dubai Airports; Nick O’Connell, partner, technology, media and telecommunications, Al Tamimi & Company; and Cyril Voisin, regional chief security advisor, Microsoft.

For more information, please visit: https://buildingsolutions.honeywell.com/en-US/newsevents/honeywellusersgroup/HUG-Dubai/Pages/default.aspx    

© Press Release 2017