The real estate industry in Dubai has been significantly transformed by technology adoption over the past few years. Building Management Systems (BMS), which were once expensive and underused, have evolved from being rigid and reliant on service vendors. These systems previously offered limited real-time insights for facility managers and technicians, but BMS alone could not meet the changing needs of property operators. As BMS technology stagnated, new tools such as Computer-Aided Facilities Management (CAFM) systems began to emerge, especially as the pandemic accelerated the focus on cost efficiency, sustainability, and tenant well-being.

This technological shift has triggered a wave of mergers and acquisitions in the industry. Legacy building automation companies have started to invest in CAFM solutions. Notable acquisitions include Trane’s purchase of BrainBox AI and Nuvolo, JLL’s acquisition of Envio Systems and Building Engines, and Schneider Electric’s purchase of Planon. These moves reflect a growing industry demand for unified solutions that integrate building automation with enterprise operations.

Facilio was established to address this need for integration. According to Prabhu Ramachandran, CEO of Facilio, “Our unified cloud-based platform combines asset management, technician tools, advanced analytics, and energy optimization.” He emphasized that by overcoming the limitations of traditional BMS, their solution provides value at the building portfolio level. The year 2024 has proven the effectiveness of this transformation, enabling facility management teams and corporate real estate operators to evolve their CAFM systems from basic record-keeping tools into actionable platforms, unlocking tangible value and operational efficiency.

The future of operations and maintenance (O&M) is set to be driven by intelligence and automation, with AI-led solutions leading this evolution. Ramachandran noted that by combining CAFM with cloud-based analytics, building operators are moving from reactive to proactive, data-driven strategies. These strategies help prevent failures, optimize energy consumption, and enhance productivity, with many enterprises already utilizing AI and IoT-led platforms.

For instance, British Land, a prominent UK property operator, reported a 33% reduction in heating and cooling energy consumption by using Facilio’s Connected Buildings platform. Similarly, the Dubai World Trade Centre experienced improved equipment performance and tenant satisfaction through rapid fault remediation with accurate error reports. Various facilities management service firms, including Berkeley Services Group, Musanadah, CIT Group, and Quality FM, are now utilizing Facilio’s Connected CAFM as their operating system, leading to significant increases in contract wins and revenues.

The real estate and facilities management industry increasingly recognizes the strategic value of AI and IoT-driven automation in achieving business outcomes. The shift away from rigid legacy tools toward modern connected platforms has made Connected CAFM a foundational application for delivering strategic value. Ramachandran stated, “This is not just a technology upgrade; it is a paradigm shift in the way they operate.”

Looking to the future, Ramachandran anticipates a continued transition from legacy systems to modern, software-first platforms at scale. He pointed out that “Predictive maintenance, real-time decision-making, and mobility are becoming integral to delivering business value for building owners and operators.” The trend towards consolidation within the industry is likely to accelerate as companies pursue unified building operations, which Ramachandran believes is where the future of the smart buildings industry lies.

Facilio’s journey began in the UAE, which was its first market due to the region’s high concentration of high-rise buildings. Ramachandran revealed that the company has consistently doubled its revenue year-over-year in the area. As they look ahead, Facilio plans to expand its regional sales team to tap into the growing interest in markets like Qatar and Saudi Arabia, where ambitious architectural projects and innovative real estate development strategies create exciting opportunities for growth.