UAE-based facilities management (FM) company Farnek has secured a raft of new security contracts, valued at more than AED25 million ($6.8 million), with technology playing a key role in its successful market proposition. 

 

One notable contract acquired by Farnek is from multi award-winning Gulf Marketing Group (GMG), a global well-being company which manages leading retail brands across sports, everyday goods, health and beauty, as well as properties, and logistics, employing more than 10,000 people.

 

Farnek’s scope of work under the two-year contract involves mobilising 160 security personnel, to cover 80 locations across the UAE, in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ajman, RAK and Sharjah. 

 

This includes offices, distribution warehouses and retail outlets such as Geant, Sun and Sand and Super Care Pharmacy. 

 

Some of its major clients include top logistics group Aramex; Al Aan TV; MAG Eye; Azadea; NAS 2, Miza Investments; SAAS Properties and Provis as well as The Indian and French International Private schools. 

 

Farnek said it is currently mobilising an additional 400 guards for the job.

 

The Emirati group's success is indicative of a market sector that is growing exponentially, both in the UAE and regionally. 

 

With the expansion in industrial, commercial, and residential real estate, data analysis by Mordor Intelligence has found that the Middle East’s manned security sector will grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 7.78% to 2028.

 

On the key wins, CEO Markus Oberlin said these were a result of Farnek’s strategy, to focus on innovative, technology-driven and sustainable security solutions, such as Security Plus, a smart mobile application that supports its manned security services. 

 

Developed in-house by smart solutions company Hitek Services, Security Plus is a bespoke app allowing guards to connect from multiple sites so they can be supported via a centralised communication platform, stated Oberlin. 

 

Through its ‘Rover Observation’ feature, the app captures real time information from customer facilities where security guards are carrying out their regular patrols. 

 

In addition, guards can raise incident reports by connecting to Hitek’s CAFMTEK mobility software solution, allowing them to submit data in real time to supervisors and management, who in turn can offer instant instruction and advice, he explained.

 

The application can also identify and document all activities related to onsite security services, which ensures that guards are implementing all contractual commitments while also monitoring and managing any potential risk, noted Oberlin.

 

Guards can be contacted through email notifications and alerts, which can direct them to the source of any emergency. Complete incident and patrolling reports can also be downloaded from the company’s web portal, he added.-TradeArabia News Service