Vogue (UK), the UK’s largest British designer and manufacturer of premium radiators and heating products is delighted to introduce a new EE005 Remote Control Element, for use across its range of electric and dual fuel towel warmers to make each model in the collection 100% Eco Design compliant. The new
Gira, one of the world’s leading full-range suppliers for intelligent building design and management, make it easy for you to buy their products with an enhanced search facility on its lifestyle website. Alongside full, in-depth details of Gira products and elegant lifestyle shots so you can see them in situ,
A new technology platform which takes a huge step towards meaningful global climate change accountability has been specially selected for presentation as world leaders gather in Glasgow for the COP26 summit next week. The New Energy Matrix is a global ecosystem software platform developed by Isle of Man-based data management
Multi-award-winning developer and asset owner/manager Quintain has played a central role in the urban regeneration of Wembley, North West London, undertaking construction and management of the UK’s largest build-to-rent development, the Wembley Park Estate. Requiring a quality digital partner for the 8,500 home estate, which includes 6,044 Build-to-Rent homes to
Whether you’re an entrepreneur specializing in residential homes or you want to build a family home, having good design software is indispensable. Every architect understands that designing an impressive house isn’t an easy task. The design of a house takes a lot of imagination and reimagination. However, the help of
Mace MEP has selected Demand Logic to deliver energy optimisation at HYLO, one of London’s most exciting new office buildings. Demand Logic’s Building Analytics software identifies areas of inefficient control, signaling where energy usage can be minimised. Technology will support Mace and contractors to ensure optimised performance throughout the commissioning
Flutter is a software development kit (SDK) that was developed by Google. Like React Native, it is used for the development of cross-platform mobile and desktop apps. Since the update in March 2021, Flutter supports not only iOS and Android, but also Linux, Windows, macOS, and the web. In such
Sirius, major buying group in the electrical appliance and kitchen retail sectors, is delighted to launch its PIM (Product Information Management) System and brand new website – specially designed to improve the online customer experience with a focus on driving more traffic to group members websites, so consumers support and
Construction and regeneration group Morgan Sindall Group plc will launch this week an innovative technology platform which uses machine learning software to provide social housing landlords and tenants with real-time, actionable insights to help them ensure their properties are healthy, legally compliant and more energy-efficient. Using discreet interconnected sensors positioned
Gira, global leader and supplier of intelligent system solutions for building management, is proud to be a headline sponsor and exhibitor at London Build 2021, as the sector prepares for a record-breaking 2022. London Build Expo, the largest and most prestigious built-environment design trade show for London and the South
Vogue (UK), the UK’s largest British designer and manufacturer of premium radiators and heating products is delighted to introduce a new EE005 Remote Control Element, for use across its range of electric and dual fuel towel warmers to make each model in the collection 100% Eco Design compliant. The new EE005 control element has been designed so homeowners can enjoy the full benefits of remote temperature control while ensuring the utmost energy efficiency is being achieved in their bathroom. Featuring NTC (Negative Temperature Coefficient) technology and a built-in window/door recognition that effortlessly monitors fluctuations in air temperature so that heat output is adjusted according to the environment. For example, if the bathroom is between 18°C to 32°C in room temperature, you can remotely control the surface temperature of your Vogue towel warmer from 30°C to 70°C for optimum functionality. Steve Birch, Sales Director at Vogue (UK), says, “As energy prices rise, so too does market demand for heating solutions that can give the homeowner all the advantages of warmth and style, whilst being kind to the pocket and environment.” “A towel warmer is an essential component in the modern bathroom, cutting down on extra laundry whilst adding luxury and style, so we are very pleased to offer the new EE005 remote control element as an option for all of our electric and dual-fuel towel warmers with elements of 300, 600 and 900 watts. This element can also be retro-fitted to existing electric or dual fuel multi-rail towel warmers meaning everyone can benefit from our 7 day programmable element with remote temperature control whenever they wish” adds Steve. Comfort and convenience are vital in the bathroom so the new EE005 gives homeowners the freedom to set their heating at one fixed temperature regardless of seasonal changes or sudden cold snaps. In fact, it includes automatic frost protection for added peace of mind as well as eco, 2 and 4 boost functions, safety lock features and manual override for the ultimate in flexibility. As market-leaders in heating design and manufacturing, the EE005 has passed industry tests with flying colours, as well as meeting the high quality standards set by Vogue (UK). Supplied with a dedicated push-button remote control device, the EE005 is IPX4-rated so that it is resistant to water splashes from any direction and suitable for bathroom zones 1 & 2.
Gira, one of the world’s leading full-range suppliers for intelligent building design and management, make it easy for you to buy their products with an enhanced search facility on its lifestyle website. Alongside full, in-depth details of Gira products and elegant lifestyle shots so you can see them in situ, you can also be inspired by the latest trends so you’ll always be on point with your technology as well getting the best advice on key smart home topics like ‘how to create lighting schemes for every mood’ and ‘how to save energy while keeping an ideal temperature’. Most importantly, the website can to put you in touch with the Gira team nationwide, so you can book an appointment at the London showroom www.gira.com/uk-showroom or make contact with a Gira specialist near you so you’re one step closer to having a connected home. “We are very pleased that our flagship Gira by INTALITE showroom is open five days a week from Monday to Friday in Wimbledon, South West London so that more people can get to know Gira. I think that viewing, touching and trying out products is a great way to explore the options available, and we find that homeowners, interior designers and architects alike relish the opportunity to experience the full functionality of the Gira range, in person,” said Jacob Muijnck, Managing Director at Gira. “With the option to choose between a wireless system which operates in a smaller family home or apartment using Bluetooth connections or a wired-in system (known as KNX) which is built-in to the walls of your property, you can quickly reap the benefits of connected living, saving time, money and power. As we move into the winter months, rest assured that Gira has an extensive home security, exterior lighting and temperature control products which will ensure your family feels safe and comfortable as the seasons change.” If you already have some ideas about how you would like to enhance your home and some further advice about Gira products, it’s simple to take the next step with your project by using the easy-to-use Installer Locator, which is a online search facility available via their website. Simply key in your postcode or location and hit search to find details of your nearest Gira approved installers so you can click straight through to their websites, give them a call or get in touch via email. “Interest in smart home products and services for the home is growing year on year, so we are very keen to help you set your project up for success, by connecting you with local specialists who know all about the latest building technology and systems,” says Jacob.
A new technology platform which takes a huge step towards meaningful global climate change accountability has been specially selected for presentation as world leaders gather in Glasgow for the COP26 summit next week. The New Energy Matrix is a global ecosystem software platform developed by Isle of Man-based data management specialists, Curtis & Associates Group, which allows citizens, institutions such as schools, companies great and small, and government regulators to post and monitor their carbon footprints and net zero targets in a transparent, fair, verifiable and immutable way. A unique validation process within the decentralised ecosystem platform guarantees that there cannot be any zero counting or double counting of net zero efficiencies, and also addresses the vexed issue of “greenwashing”, where many companies claim to be offsetting their emissions without evidence or proof. Curtis & Associates also has the credibility of practising what it preaches. While many companies have set net zero targets for dates in the future, it has become one of the few enterprises to have already achieved net zero for all *Scope emissions in 2020. CEO Jon Curtis said: “One of our most important achievements is the company Gold Teak based in Indonesia, wherein we set up at the time of the Kyoto Protocol an agro-forestry project of over 30,000 teak, mahogany, acacia, jabon and fruit trees as an ethical investment, and which to date has sequestered over 16,000 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent as well as funding the re-building of the local school and mosque to the benefit of the local community. “Over the years of its operation, we calculated that the cost of sequestering this carbon in the trees was only 0.3% of our total group turnover. So, it doesn’t have to cost the earth to save the earth.” Mr Curtis has a track record in data management dating back to the boom years of the North Sea energy industry. After setting up his own company over 30 years ago, he conceived and built data sharing mechanisms which have now been re-designed to use as net zero target and progress monitoring systems for any industry in any country worldwide. As one of the select group of companies chosen to present at COP26 through the Climate Chambers events between the 1st and 4th November, Curtis & Associates will demonstrate how the New Energy Matrix Ecosystem can be used by anyone and everyone to post carbon footprints and net zero targets. The ecosystem software will be free for individuals, institutions, and non-profit organisations to post a yearly set of net zero scope emission data. Companies would be expected to contribute modest fees. The transparent nature of the ecosystem, and the huge importance of our collective decarbonisation efforts means that peer pressure within sectors would encourage mutual validation amongst leading companies. The New Energy Matrix will enable the creation of Green Ecosystem Certificates of Known Origin (GECKOs). These verified and immutable certificates can be applied to any industry on a global basis. For organisations such as schools and universities, or other organisation seeking green finance, such verified information can give confidence to both government and private sector fund managers. The New Energy Matrix validation system will be open source, thereby allowing citizens, institutions, and companies to build their own solutions to use on a common decentralised framework, anywhere in the world. Mr Curtis said: “This is a major opportunity for businesses, which need to urgently collaborate with governments to address the immediate issue of climate change. “While government can regulate, without the direct involvement of business, climate action will not succeed. The fair and universal system of green certificates will enable those common objectives to become a reality. “We know that we must mitigate climate change by replacing fossil fuel sources with renewable and carbon-free alternatives and do so as rapidly as possible without destabilising industry and even entire countries. “The New Energy Matrix will be an important deterrent to greenwashing, which involves companies misleading consumers about their green credentials and their overall environmental performance.” The Curtis & Associates Group has offices in many countries across the globe. Its projects include EnergyVue, a platform for renewable energy operators. It will present at COP26 on the 1st, 2nd 3rd and 4th of November in association with the British Chambers of Commerce. Jon Curtis is available for media interview by arrangement through Blueprint Media on 0330 223 4288. *Scope 1 emissions are direct emissions. Scope 2 emissions are indirect. Scope 3 emissions relate to the supply chain.
Multi-award-winning developer and asset owner/manager Quintain has played a central role in the urban regeneration of Wembley, North West London, undertaking construction and management of the UK’s largest build-to-rent development, the Wembley Park Estate. Requiring a quality digital partner for the 8,500 home estate, which includes 6,044 Build-to-Rent homes to be managed by Quintain Living, it chose Zutec. A leading asset lifecycle information and construction management software provider, Zutec has been involved in a number of key revitalisation projects in the area, including Wembley Stadium. Zutec’s powerful technology was originally used by Quintain to review all Wembley Park’s BIM models and building information across site, to improve its knowledge of the development and be able to run it more effectively. However, the scope of work quickly evolved… An ambitious project to realise responsibly-built homes Commencing in 2005, Quintain’s highly-anticipated, and widely publicised, Wembley Park Estate is UK’s largest build-to-rent development, and a central part of the redevelopment of the Northwest London Suburb where it’s located. This new housing project, set to provide over 6,000 build-to-rent homes managed by Quintain Living, is the latest phase in a transformation project which is set to revitalise the central Wembley area. Zutec had already been involved as the construction management technology partner for the neighbouring Wembley Stadium project. Knowing the site well,it made them a natural partner for Quintain. Further, Quintain’s Irish team had successfully worked with Zutec on other projects so a relationship was already there on which to build. Zutec delivers data accuracy according to an evolving brief Originally brought on in 2018, Zutec was commissioned by Quintain to review Wembley Park’s BIM models and building information across site. The Quintain team were impressed with the platform’s seamless functionality in its ability to collate massive amounts of data, align information to standards and regulations and categorise it according to audience. As a result, Zutec’s role would soon evolve to cover the full-lifecycle Asset Information Management (AIM) of the development. Protecting assets through information gathering Zutec was also asked to support Quintain’s objective to provide a comprehensive system for ongoing facilities management of the development. As the ongoing owner and asset manager, it was crucial Quintain delivered complete, accurate records of the construction journey to the estates team at handover. With mountains of paperwork, drawings and certifications to log, it’s a big job, but essential, to trace back every single component within the building and how it’s been installed, tested and inspected ahead of handover. The estates team would need an exact digital twin of the whole complex, codifying what materials and construction methods were used across the interior and exterior, from the apartments themselves, to the landscaping around it. Without this vital information the facilities management would immediately be compromised, exposing the asset owner and end-user to multiple-risks. Building relationships Quintain is the ongoing owner and asset manager of the majority of Wembley Park’s residential developments, so a highest-quality, seamless and meticulous O&M handover is crucial. Zutec’s proprietary document control and asset information management (AIM) platform has been central to delivering this ambition. Specifically, working closely with Quintain, the Zutec team has created bespoke rules with the AIM platform of how building information is recorded, how it’s stored, presented and archived for ease of use. This makes it easy to digest for the estates team, so they can operate according to exact requirements, giving essential peace of mind. Improving working practices and de-risking the built environment Zutec’s digital AIM tools not only improve working practices across construction, handover and future RMI, it will also drive an improvement in the quality of building inspections. This makes the 24/7 facilities inspection protocol a pain-free experience, and reporting can be logged instantaneously through a smart device synched to the platform with a dedicated app. It will also be essential to the smooth and seamless management and delivery of the scheduled renovation cycles, as well as undertaking refurbishment and refinishing between tenant leases. At a human level, Wembley Park is a perfect example of a development designed, built and handed over according to a new, more responsible and accountable way of doing business. A Holistic Solution Commenting on the project, and Zutec’s role Quintain’s Information Manager Craig Stevens, says: “Asset owners and managers, and residents for that matter, rightly want to know what’s gone into the building of their property, how it was built, how it will work and how it will be maintained. It’s crucial for compliance and de-risking the asset. This requires forensic and comprehensive information gathering, and management, throughout the planning, design, and journey to create a fit-for-purpose handover to be used for correct ongoing O&M.” To find out more about Zutec’s advanced digital systems and its work within the residential sector click here.
Whether you’re an entrepreneur specializing in residential homes or you want to build a family home, having good design software is indispensable. Every architect understands that designing an impressive house isn’t an easy task. The design of a house takes a lot of imagination and reimagination. However, the help of outstanding residential design software can simplify your work. Furthermore, you may not need construction design software to design a house from the foundation up. Maybe what you need is to remodel your floor and give it a new look. Suppose you’re planning to sell your house. In that case, you may need to import plans for remodeling your floor from design software. Having a new floor in your house may help upsell or improve leads conversion when you stage it online. If you’re new in the construction career or you’re a student who’s wondering how to go about getting a suitable construction design software, here are essential tips for you: 1. Choose Between An Online Software Or One Installed On Your Computer If you’re an individual who’s always on the move, online software might be the best bet for you. Besides, you can access this software from any computer. What you need is stable internet and a laptop. If you need to visit one of your clients from their office, you may go ahead and use your laptop from their office. Some benefits of online design software include: The software is updated from a central place. Therefore, there’s no need to download and install regular updates to have the latest version. Additionally, online construction design software can be used with any operating system, whether Windows or Mac. As a result, when you change your computer, you can log in to your account and continue with your work without starting from scratch. You can work from anywhere using multiple computers. You only need to log into your account with your password and access your already saved work. You can save on the expenses of powerful electronic devices. In essence, you don’t need a computer with the latest graphic card and a significant memory for running the construction design software. Moreover, such computers need regular upgrading to match the latest design of the program. Thus, online software might be an excellent money-saving plan for you. 2. Confirm Whether You Have Photorealistic 3D Renderings The photorealistic 3D rendering of the exterior and interior of a house is a feature that can excite your clients. It shows them how the building project will look like even before it’s built. It’s possible to convince and win them with this fantastic feature. As a result, you can go for software with more advanced features that help manage light to cast excellent shadows and textures. With these features, your home design looks like a real photo. Here are other advantages of photorealistic 3D rendering: It helps your clients visualize their living space and give you feedback on what they’d prefer to be added or removed. More sophisticated software helps you save your viewpoints. Viewpoints are essential when you want to change your materials, layout, and furniture. 3. Get An Easy To Use Software You need a software that’s easy to learn so you can accomplish tasks quickly. Therefore, you can choose to get software that’s tailor-made for home designs only. Such software will have features that are exclusively for drawing house plans. Easy software to use will take you a few days to learn. On the other hand, software with a difficult learning curve might not be a good option for you. An easy to learn software may come with the following features: Available Person To Person Support Before acquiring a specific software, you can check whether they have a support team readily available for a chat or call. Sometimes, when working on projects, you may get stuck and need the help of someone. Here’s where a support agent comes in handy. This helps avoid searching for solutions in online community forums. Access To Tutorials An excellent software will have links to online videos that can help you learn how to use some features fast. Sometimes, it’s easy to learn when watching a video than when reading text. Videos explaining how to design a floor or draw a porch can help you accomplish your work faster. Therefore, check your software to ensure it has a tutorial. Onboarding Call The competition for customers within the construction design software companies is very high. Thus, some companies offer a training call to help you learn design basics with their software to be on your feet fast. An introductory call to the software can save you a big deal of figuring out how to go about the software or reading lengthy procedures. 4. Check For Intuitive Drawing Features Great software is designed with powerful features for your conceptual design stage. Such features are time-saving as you can design a residential house in a few hours and engage your clients in other matters such as the implementation of the design. Therefore, with construction design software having intuitive features, you can design plans, including doors, windows, and the roof, to generate a house as quickly as possible. Additionally, it should have a capacity for furnishes and a materials section which may come later in the design process for customizing your design. Here are more benefits of embedded intuitive features: If the house design is highly complex, the system allows adding the roof automatically. Reuse, duplicate, and resize previous objects. The 3D plans for the entire house and the floors help your clients see the complete rendering of the actual building. You can customize the colors and measurements of your doors and windows. Wrapping Up With the many construction design software in the market, it can be challenging to choose a suitable one. Hence, this article outlines essential aspects you should look for before buying construction design software. Choose a software tailored for a residential house design that can generate 2D and 3D
Mace MEP has selected Demand Logic to deliver energy optimisation at HYLO, one of London’s most exciting new office buildings. Demand Logic’s Building Analytics software identifies areas of inefficient control, signaling where energy usage can be minimised. Technology will support Mace and contractors to ensure optimised performance throughout the commissioning process and prior to occupation. Mace, the global consultancy and construction firm, has selected Demand Logic to support them to deliver the energy and maintenance optimisation of one of London’s most exciting new buildings, HYLO. The refurbishment of a 1960’s building into a twenty-nine-storey landmark tower in London, boasts 270,000 sq ft of high-end mixed-use space, including 261,000 sq ft of premium office space on 28 floors and 17,000 sq ft of retail space. Initially, Demand Logic’s market-leading insight will be utilised to support Mace and their contractors during the commissioning to ensure an optimised performance of the property before occupation and throughout fit-out periods as well as continuous monitoring. Demand Logic has been working with Mace for over several years on various projects, where the business utilised Demand Logic’s award-winning building analytics software to improve maintenance, increase occupier comfort and identify areas for energy savings across Mace’s own corporate property as well as their client’s. This new project with Mace MEP furthers Demand Logic’s long-standing partnership with the group. Chris Connelly, Operations Director – MEP (Construction): “Demand Logic are assisting Mace MEP in the drive to reduce carbon emissions throughout the life cycle of our projects. The introduction of Demand Logic on HYLO is providing our team with interpreted data to allow inefficient control of the MEP system to be identified and remedied during commissioning ensuring energy usage is minimised. “In addition we have found the system provides a suitable overview of the BMS system commissioning allowing my team confidence when scheduling key activities.” Regarding this new project with Mace MEP at HYLO in London, Mike Darby, CEO and Co-founder of Demand Logic said: “We are pleased to be supporting Mace MEP on the commissioning of such an exciting project such as HYLO. We’re confident that through our platform we’ll be able to support Mace and their contractors to deliver an optimised property at the PC stage – utilising the market-leading insight of Demand Logic to proactively identify and resolve snags prior to occupation. It’s another strong collaboration and adds to HYLO as an exemplar low carbon iconic building.” Recently, Demand Logic announced that they’re generating 1,042,343,671 monthly data values from across their entire portfolio. The new development at HYLO will add over 40m data points to the monthly ingested data, supporting the company’s goal to contribute to improving the energy efficiency across its partners’ buildings. To learn more about Demand Logic’s building optimisation technology, visit their website.
Flutter is a software development kit (SDK) that was developed by Google. Like React Native, it is used for the development of cross-platform mobile and desktop apps. Since the update in March 2021, Flutter supports not only iOS and Android, but also Linux, Windows, macOS, and the web. In such a way, you need only one codebase to develop an app for all of these platforms. The flexibility of Flutter makes it comfortable for developers to make these apps and minimizes the need to implement specific adaptations for these platforms. If you are interested in a cross-platform solution for your business, opt for Flutter app development services by OTAKOYI. The reasons to choose Flutter The popularity of Flutter has grown considerably in the last few years. Alibaba, Square, eBay, and last but not least Google — all of them use Flutter. Here is why they use it: Cross-platform development In case you need to develop an app, traditionally, you hire a team of developers for each of the platforms. For instance, in case you need an app for iOS and Android, you would hire two teams of native developers. However, if you use Flutter, you will only need one team. Moreover, you will need twice fewer QA specialists. Furthermore, Flutter’s customizable widgets will reduce the need for a number of designers involved. Thus, Flutter will help you save a lot of money, which is especially important if you use it for MVP or a startup. Developer Experience The term “User Experience” is widely known, but how about Developer Experience? The thing is that the process of coding is very complicated. Therefore, whenever it is possible to facilitate the work of your development team, you should do it. Consequently, your software will be deployed faster as well as the process of work will be less stressful. One of the examples may be the Hot Reload function. Instead of time-consuming and problematic compilation, Hot Reload allows changing the code on the fly without reloading or other manipulations. Advanced Performance Flutter apps generally work better than, for instance, apps made with React Native. It is due to the JavaScript bridge of React Native. It is a useful instrument, but it may slow down the work of an application. Helpful Community The community of Flutter is growing constantly. There are a lot of enthusiasts that will answer your questions, help you solve different sorts of problems, and help you learn Flutter better. Together with that, since Flutter is open-source, you can find a lot of libraries and other free content to complement your software. Google’s Support Another fact that increases Flutter’s credibility is Google’s support. Since Flutter is Google’s development, it is connected to its products. For instance, this may sound obvious, but Flutter’s widgets correspond to the standard that was developed by Google. This example illustrates the intention of the company to develop instruments that are compatible with each other, and since Google is one of the companies that dominate the market, it would be wise to use an instrument that is compatible with almost everything. Also, there is a lot of documentation and learning materials provided by Google. Flutter Development Cost Generally, the price for an app made with Flutter is lower than an app made with the other frameworks, but in fact, the other factors can influence the price of Flutter-made applications. Functionality and complexity This factor is obvious because the more complex is in an application, the more work it requires. As a consequence, it affects the price. Moreover, the price may be increased with the integration of third-party tools or other changes. Developers’ location The wages vary from country to country. North American developers have the highest rates. The devs from Western Europe and Australia would also be expensive. The cheaper alternative would be East Asia or India, but there is a tendency that the quality of code would be much worse. However, there is a possibility to save money without losing the quality. For this purpose, you may hire a development team from Eastern Europe, namely Ukraine, a country where the popularity of professions associated with IT has grown greatly recently. Thus, there are a lot of good specialists available for outsourcing or outstaffing. Design Usually, design is what influences the price of an app greatly. However, as far as the UI is concerned, Flutter decreases the price for design due to its widgets. They cover the standard elements of the UI as well as provide you with the possibility to create and customize new ones. Testing and maintenance The cost of testing with Flutter is lower than with native development tools. The thing is that due to a single codebase you have only one team of developers, and therefore there are fewer possibilities to make mistakes or just for a bug to occur. As a consequence, there is a lower need for testers. As for maintenance, there are no such things that would affect the budget negatively, compared to the other development tools. The thing is that whenever there is an update in Android or iOS, the new content is also added to Flutter, but with a little delay (up to 1-2 weeks). In case is you are worried about whether your users feel the difference between your Flutter-made app and a native app, the answer would be “no.” It is due to the fact that even native apps require some time for an update and testing. Thus, it will not surprise the customer that your update is not instant. It will just be released a little later. Summary All in all, Flutter makes the lives of developers and business owners easier because it makes the development process more convenient as well as lowers the price for the project. A single codebase is a considerable advantage over native development, which cannot be outweighed by the strengths of native. Flutter is a technology with a future because it has shown a lot of growth in the few
Sirius, major buying group in the electrical appliance and kitchen retail sectors, is delighted to launch its PIM (Product Information Management) System and brand new website – specially designed to improve the online customer experience with a focus on driving more traffic to group members websites, so consumers support and buy from the independent retailer. Steve Jones, Managing Director at Sirius, says, “These newly created and ultra-beneficial resources are both exciting and important developments for Sirius Buying Group, ensuring we continue to do all we can to help our Members position themselves in the digital world and thrive. The PIM System feeds our Sirius website with over 5.5K products, complete with technical specifications and visual assets from our market leading Approved Suppliers, which is also available to all 185+ Sirius members to utilise across their own websites. As a direct consequence of this digital group investment, our Members are able to have the most current product content on their websites, without the difficulty and time constraints of keeping it up-to-date themselves. It also greatly benefits our Approved Suppliers as product information can be added and updated in one place, rather than sending to each and every Member in different required formats. We are proud to lead by example, as we encourage our members and the KBB industry to use the latest digital resources to their advantage. At a time when supply chain issues are proving challenging to the economy, while raising awareness to the end user on finding their nearest reputable, local independent.” The latest consumer research from Google indicates that UK shopping patterns have changed across all sectors so that a seamless Omni-channel experience is only going to become more vital. Recognising this, the new Sirius website is designed with clarity and ease in mind so that visitors can find what they need with minimum effort, whether they are consumers looking for a local retailer or retailers keen to see what the group has to offer. General Manager and Project Lead for the new Sirius website, Mark Veysey says, “We really wanted to optimise the flexibility of search on the website and make it mobile friendly so that all users can navigate with ease: which is why there’s a dedicated function to search for product type, name and number and an intuitive filter section for the consumer to find exactly what they require. In doing so, we’re able to provide end users the option to search however they wish in order to provide the best possible products for their needs” “We know that every business is unique and constantly-evolving and nowadays, consumers are extremely discerning when it comes to choosing suppliers of integrity. Trust, mutual respect and likability need to be conveyed through a positive and highly visible online presence, as we must recognise that retail now takes many forms from traditional bricks and mortar store to the Internet. With this in mind, by treating the web as a natural extension of your retail space and your digital offering will remain sustainable and actively drive new foot traffic to your business – be it online or in person. In my opinion, a website needs clarity and structure so your visitors always know where they currently are and where they need to go. Amongst the numerous services our members benefit from the PIM is designed to support them in achieving an online presence allowing them more time to spend on their business and it also removes the countless hours manually adding products to their website” adds Mark.
Construction and regeneration group Morgan Sindall Group plc will launch this week an innovative technology platform which uses machine learning software to provide social housing landlords and tenants with real-time, actionable insights to help them ensure their properties are healthy, legally compliant and more energy-efficient. Using discreet interconnected sensors positioned throughout a home, the platform collects data on the internal environmental conditions in a property, including temperature, air pressure, light levels, humidity and carbon dioxide. goldeni also monitors heating systems, detects for water leaks and monitors electricity and gas consumption. The goldeni platform has been developed by data scientists working for Morgan Sindall Property Services, the property maintenance division of the Morgan Sindall Group. Morgan Sindall Property Services currently looks after 200,000 homes on behalf of social landlords across the UK. “Morgan Sindall is committed to developing and implementing innovations for our customers. The launch of goldeni, our first technological innovation for the sector, represents an important milestone not just for Morgan Sindall but also for Social Housing as a whole. By giving clues to potential issues within homes even before they occur, it can help those living in social housing have healthier, safer, more energy efficient homes, as well as saving Social Housing providers costs,” said John Morgan, Chief Executive of the Morgan Sindall Group. “While we’re initially focusing on social housing, its ability to provide an instant overview of a building’s health in real time means that goldeni would just be as useful for commercial and private residential property owners as well, and that’s something we’ll be looking to roll out in the future.” Morgan Sindall Property Services is the first property maintenance provider to develop an inhouse platform that can consolidate and interpret information from a number of commercially available ‘Internet of Things’ sensors in real-time. It provides social housing landlords and tenants with clear, practical recommendations. For example, goldeni monitors ventilation and will recommend opening more windows to ensure homes are less susceptible to mould, can identify water leaks in real-time, and spots when a boiler needs to be serviced, so that preventative action can be taken before a problem escalates. By tracking which homes are using central heating too often or too little, goldeni can also help users identify properties that are in fuel poverty or requiring additional insulation. According to Inside Housing, in 2019 / 20 Housing Associations in England spent a combined £5.51bn on repairs and maintenance, with many Housing Associations experiencing double digit increases in their repair and maintenance costs year-on-year. By helping landlords and tenants identify potential maintenance issues before they occur and remediate leaks before they escalate, it is estimated goldeni could help social housing landlords save over £550m per year. This figure is likely to be even higher for providers who also follow goldeni’s recommendations about how to make properties more energy efficient. The platform also has a crucial role to play in the path to net zero. goldeni provides practical recommendations in real-time for how to make properties more energy efficient, from using heating more effectively throughout the day, to suggestions on the best time to run energy-hungry appliances or improve insulation. The sensors are sensitively designed and easy to install, and the platform can be accessed from any device. What’s more, landlords and tenants immediately benefit after installation, as the machine learning software platform makes preventative recommendations and identifies potential issues from day one.
Gira, global leader and supplier of intelligent system solutions for building management, is proud to be a headline sponsor and exhibitor at London Build 2021, as the sector prepares for a record-breaking 2022. London Build Expo, the largest and most prestigious built-environment design trade show for London and the South East, will extend a warm welcome to the construction industry on 17th to 18th November 2021 at the Olympia Exhibition Centre, London. The show will debut in the grand hall of London Olympia and for the third time, Gira will be the exclusive host of the VIP Lounge, on the same floor. The Gira Stand and VIP area are adjacent to each other, to ensure networking and product tours can work seamlessly hand in hand. The VIP area spans an impressive 67.5 m2, providing visitors with a dedicated lounge and seating areas to relax, network, enjoy a coffee from the coffee bar and even work remotely! Additionally, show-goers can head towards Stand H26, where Gira will be ready to serve your digital needs and reveal the many features and benefits of intelligent build design and management. Providing a compelling intersection where intelligent technology meets breath-taking design, Gira will share its innovative and market-leading products to all of the leading architects, luxury specifiers, property developers, suppliers, construction professionals and system integrators in attendance. The generous 24 m2 Stand will allow the company to demonstrate its latest brand innovations and company ethos by displaying a range of exclusive products and intelligent build solutions for the luxury specifier: Gira System 3000: an advanced blind and light control system, which is conveniently controlled through the Gira App or Display timer. More convenient and eco conscious, the Gira System 3000 will help to reduce utility bills by intuitively lowering the blinds to minimize potential heat loss and make the home appear occupied when it’s not! Gira Mobile Door Communications: Whether on the move or using a home’s WLAN, end users can screen visitors and protect privacy with iOS and Android smartphones via the DCS IP gateway. The communication is encrypted using Secure Data Access, which is also used in the Gira S1 and guarantees maximum security. The door opening function is additionally protected by means of a PIN. KNX System: easy to operate with intelligent building technology from Gira so wired-in intuitive solutions are embedded into developments from the get-go with the ability to be easily upgraded in the future by electricians and building managers at the touch of a button. All products on display will be supported by Gira UK experts ready to discuss and guide stand visitors on product suitability, user benefits, technical specification and potential supply/distribution.
