INDUSTRY WATCH
WE THOUGHT WE WERE
ALL DOING THE SAME
THING BEFORE, BUT
WE ALL HAD OUR OWN
TWEAKS AND WERE GOING
IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS.
I
n recent years Multiplex has grown
both geographically and with
increased numbers of projects in
key markets. With projects at the core
of its global business, maintaining
growth requires continual
improvements in Multiplex’s ability to
manage projects effectively.
Multiplex, which runs its Middle East
operations from its base in Dubai, is
one of the world’s leading construction
companies. With over 5,000 employees
and US $4 billion in revenue, it has
completed over 1,000 large-scale projects
since 1962 – including commercial, sports
and healthcare – in Europe, Canada,
Australia, the Middle East and India.
Multiplex’s construction division
commenced operations in the Middle
East in 1997 with the construction of
the office component of the Emirates
Towers in Dubai, and has since completed
more than 25 projects in the region.
The company was one of the first in the
Middle East to offer clients both design
and construction solutions, taking on
responsibility for programme delivery
from the earliest point possible. It
succeeded in ensuring the early delivery
of many prestigious projects including
the W Hotel in Doha, The Index in Dubai
and 21 residential towers in Downtown
Dubai and Dubai Marina.
www.intelligentcio.com
views of the Arabian Gulf, the Palm
Jumeirah and Dubai Marina.
With an established presence both in
the UAE and Qatar, it is now pursuing
opportunities in Saudi Arabia.
However, after a review of its information
technology systems, the company
realised it needed stronger support for
its core business processes. Multiple
systems with limited functionality had
been implemented separately in different
regions. Processes were inconsistent and
Microsoft Excel spreadsheets were often
used to fill functional gaps.
It was time-consuming to pull
information together to produce reports,
even when analysing a single project.
With some systems nearing 20 years
of age, staff had to navigate outdated
user interfaces and switch between
applications to do their work. Support for
mobile devices was also lacking.
Cost control with a strong
project solution
Last year Al Ain Properties appointed
Multiplex to build the Address Residences
Jumeirah Resort and Spa in Dubai. Multiplex’s senior management could
see that many benefits would flow from
a single instance software solution that
allowed them to drive global consistency
in contract and project management
processes coupled with increased visibility
and control over project costs and revenue.
In a search for a new technology partner
to replace its legacy systems, the company
found a good fit with IFS Applications.
This will include the tallest tower along
Jumeirah Beach Walk boasting amazing “One of our decisions in selecting IFS
Applications for our preferred ERP
INTELLIGENTCIO
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