wasl Signs Largest Ever Cloud for Customer Agreement for SAP in the UAE

Leading Real Estate Development and Property Management Organization to Deploy Latest Cloud Solutions to Transform its Business

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – 25 February 2015 -- wasl Asset Management Group has signed a Cloud for Customer agreement with SAP, the largest of its kind in the enterprise software market company’s UAE history.

The real estate development and management organisation - one of the fastest growing property companies in the UAE - will be deploying SAP’s latest cloud solutions to transform its business and provide an even higher standard of service for its customers.

“wasl is committed to seeking new ways to upgrade its services and use the latest technological advances to add value for customers. This continuous programme of improvements also forms part of wasl’s drive to implement the government of Dubai’s vision under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, which is aimed at transforming the emirate into a globally-leading smart city,” said Hesham Al Qassim, CEO, wasl Asset Management Group.

wasl’s agreement with SAP UAE will see it incorporate a number of SAP’s cloud applications in its operations, including SAP Cloud for Social Engagement, to monitor social media activity and identify topics relevant to customers; SAP Cloud for Marketing, to incorporate powerful technologies and leverage social media data; and SAP Cloud for Sales, to optimise its property selling platform.

Following the forging of the new partnership, Hesham Al Qassim met with Bill McDermott, CEO, SAP, during his recent visit to Dubai. The two leaders discussed technology trends capable of boosting the UAE’s real estate industry, with a focus on how organisations can virtualise their IT infrastructure on the cloud, thereby expanding business agility, supporting mobility in the workforce, and creating savings on IT costs.

wasl is now continuing its dialogue with SAP’s country division, SAP UAE, to establish the optimum use of the cloud applications for the UAE’s unique property environment.

“As Dubai’s property continues its strong pace, the wasl agreement shows how real estate companies can innovate by leveraging cloud solutions to work more efficiently on business opportunities, provide their customers with multiple service channels, and gain deeper insight and understanding of customers,” said Tayfun Topkoc, Managing Director, SAP UAE.

Demonstrating the strong potential for cloud solutions in the region, in the Middle East and North Africa, information technology research and advisory firm Gartner estimates that USD 4.7 billion will be spent on cloud services from 2014 through 2018.

wasl is aiming to employ its new technology in support of the expansion of the UAE’s property sector, which will see a wide range of new office, residential, retail, and hotel developments in 2015.

“With Expo 2020 set to attract 25 million visitors to Dubai, the UAE’s property sector is reaching new heights, and in a highly competitive market. Cloud solutions enable real estate companies to gain deeper customer insights, especially in analysing social media demand for neighbourhoods and properties. With our growing portfolio of residential freehold, lease, and retail units, we aim to continually enhance our customers’ experience with new technology,” added Zainab Mohammed, CEO, Property Management and Marketing, wasl, who also attended the SAP meetings.

Established in 2008 by the Dubai Real Estate Corporation to oversee its assets and grow its real estate portfolio, wasl manages around 30,000 residential and commercial properties, as well as 5,245 industrial land plots. The wasl agreement was one of a number of SAP Cloud for Customers deals that SAP signed in the region in the past year, with the organisation counting for more than 35 million cloud users worldwide.