UAE Focus

Systimax makes homes smarter

SAHM Technologies, the technology arm of Emaar Properties, reports great success with the implementation of the popular ‘smart homes’ at the coastline towers of the Dubai Marina project.

The sophisticated fibre optic infrastructure from Systimax Solutions provides residents with super high-speed connectivity features, supporting a broad set of technology-driven services that are some of the most advanced in the region today, says a spokesman.
“We are pleased to say that the work put into installing the infrastructure at the Dubai Marina has been a worthwhile investment. Tenants are using existing technologies in new and exciting ways, while significantly changing their traditional home environments,” says Richard Jasnau of SAHM Technologies. “The network infrastructure supports technologies that bring advanced multimedia and high-speed Internet connectivity to streamline numerous day-to-day tasks at the mere touch of a button. Networked homes are truly enriching homeowner’s lives.”
SAHM had recognised the critical need for a solid infrastructure that would connect all the buildings in the project using one common platform while supporting advanced and integrated service applications such as banking, grocery shopping and online medical consultation services. The network required the implementation of a copper and fibre cabling infrastructure based on Systimax Solutions technology that would act as the core communications backbone for SAHM’s smarter home services. As a result, all Emaar homes are connected to SAHM’s state-of-the-art network and come with all the internal cabling and sockets required to set up the home as a smart environmental living space.
The infrastructure, designed and implemented by Systimax Solutions’ business partner US Telecommunication, controls about 33,000 network points across the six Dubai Marina towers, and is based on the Systimax PowerSUM Solution, which is one of the highest-performing Category 5e cabling solutions available and the established blueprint for the completed Category 5e standard.
The solution provides the high connectivity bandwidth that supports intensive applications such as video streaming and allows Dubai Marina on-ground support engineers to access central control and receive alerts on any malfunctions within the network.
Built over a world-class Internet Protocol (IP) based infrastructure, each home is connected via a fibre optic cable with every circuit having an individual IP address. This functionality allows Dubai Marina tenants to remotely access different automated appliances and services, such as their refrigerators and air-conditioning systems, wherever they have access to the Internet. Residents can also benefit from high-tech enhancements in the areas of voice, data and TV, along with future features such as choosing a movie or programme from an online database or through the satellite feed provided by SAHM Technologies.
“What sets this entire project apart is that it allows SAHM to offer technology that integrates everything in the owner’s world into a single system and enhances life with the power of the Internet. The centralised platform supports all sub-systems including data, voice, video and wireless, and is being done with the use of a common IP. This approach is a major shift in the construction industry, where conventional systems currently utilise several communications ‘islands’ where you have an independent platform for each sub system,” says William Neilson, project manager at US Telecommunication. “Systimax Solutions provides the high-scale connectivity performance that complies with all required industry standards and guarantees Dubai Marina residents with the ultimate modern household living experience.”
The Dubai Marina project is one of several large-scale Emaar properties for which US Telecommunication is providing advanced networking infrastructures from Systimax Solutions to provide tenants with advanced connectivity services. Design and installation is already under way at other major real estate ventures such as the Emirates Greens, Emirates Hills, The Meadows, The Springs and Arabian Ranches.
“We are proud to be working so closely with SAHM Technologies and helping them bring some of these exciting new technologies into people’s everyday lives. Not only does the sophisticated network infrastructure empower these households and provide the tenants with a fully automated and robust connectivity environment, but our 20-year extended product warranty and application assurance also gives SAHM Technologies the security to adopt new technologies as it moves forward,” said Darren Stratton, sales director at Systimax Solutions, Middle East North Africa, Turkey and Greece.