Gulf Construction Online - Customised solutions with Assa Abloy tool

Saudi Focus

Customised solutions with Assa Abloy tool

01 August 2018

Assa Abloy Security Solutions Middle East (Assa Abloy) and Saudi-based Universal Building Materials (UBM) have launched a smart, BIM (building information modelling)-enabled product specification tool that helps users create complete and tailored door opening solutions.

The ‘Assa Abloy Openings Studio’, which was recently launched in Saudi Arabia and Dubai, UAE, makes it easy to streamline processes and reduce costs throughout the project’s lifecycle.

The tool has already proven to be very successful in Europe and the US, with architects, designers and specifiers running it for quite a while, said Mahmoud Al Khayyat, CEO of UBM, which represents Assa Abloy in Saudi Arabia.

”Assa Abloy’s team has worked on the project for a while, conducting a special survey for a better understanding of customers’ need, creating user-friendly web-content and doing the trial runs for Openings Studio in the Middle East,” he said.

”Openings Studio is a unique, yet convenient tool created to support architects in BIM and make the specification process cost-effective and efficient,” Al Khayyat continued.

It adds value to all scales of building projects and applications, he said, adding that stakeholders such as architects, specifiers, contractors, installers and building managers benefit from its numerous features at the push of a button.

Some of these features include:

• Product information and performance data to comply with budgets, building regulations, project requirements and environmental assessment schemes;

• Informative 3D views of door solutions and associated hardware, aiding the ability to create and integrate designs with a distinctive edge;

• Data in multiple formats for quick integration in native BIM environments and easy collaboration with other stakeholders; and

• Frequent updates to incorporate new products and technology, ensuring state-of-the-art functionality and design.

Al Khayyat said UBM has always encouraged innovation and a futuristic approach when it comes to its partners’ products and solutions.

”The company strives to exceed the expectations of its clients by sourcing, offering and serving their specific needs and wants, with the world’s finest door and hardware products and solutions. Therefore, adding Openings Studio to our brand portfolio provides an edge in innovation and a competitive advantage, while enhancing user’s experience at the same time.”

Nassim Abu Yousef, CEO of Assa Abloy Security Solutions Middle East, said BIM is changing the building landscape, bringing with it critical improvements in design, specification, delivery and asset/facility management.

He said BIM capability opens the way to better visualisation, more choice, streamlined decision-making, efficient design and build processes, and more significantly, enhanced collaboration.

"And by using our tools, it’s never been easier for stakeholders to benefit from being BIM-enabled. Openings Studio is designed to accelerate specification and adds value at every stage – from design through to build and beyond. By giving our partners more time to focus on what they do best, we help them step out of a 2D environment into a 3D world of new possibilities,” said Abu Yousef.

Founded in 1979, UBM is one of Saudi Arabia’s leading players offering quality building materials, including doors, door hardware and plumbing solutions, that satisfy total project requirements.

UBM has branches throughout Saudi Arabia and supplies a wide range of specialised building materials from stock as well as from direct imports for any specific requirement.