Middle East construction and real estate companies turn to IT-enabled performance to stay competitive

UAE's Al Husam General Contracting Establishment and ETA Ascon, and Oman's Al Turki Construction have chosen industry best practices from SAP to provide integrated solutions and streamline business processes.

"The Middle East's construction industry needs to adapt quickly to risks, challenges and especially opportunities. To stay ahead, companies require sound IT-enabled systems to ensure proficient cost control, as well as high levels of efficiency in project resource management to remain competitive. SAP solutions have the proven ability to help companies adapt to current and future business needs,"

said Sergio Maccotta, Managing Director, SAP Middle East and Africa.

Construction companies increasingly need IT-enabled performance practices to cope with new challenges, and SAP for Engineering, Construction & Operations (SAP for EC&O) has comprehensive solutions that provide powerful software to manage engineering, construction, and operations, including plant contracting, home building, and shipbuilding. SAP understands that success today is determined by 'what you know about your project and when you know it.'

SAP for EC&O gives companies and integrated business tool to better control all projects and corporate finances, and forge stronger relationships with subcontractors and suppliers. New ways to attract, retain, and manage employees is key in today's environment as is improved project management and a platform for enhanced project execution with greater ability to seize aftermarket opportunities.

"The Middle East construction industry is reeling under global and regional financial challenges," said Mr.Gulabsi Ratansi Khimji, Managing Director, Al Turki Enterprise Oman "We need industry best practices to remain competitive and guarantee return-on-investments. SAP is a proven industry leader and SAP's solutions will help us achieve our short and long term business goals."

SAP for EC&O provides the most complete set of integrated construction-specific applications available for a single vendor. Combining proven best practices with unsurpassed functional depth, the solution portfolio helps customers keep projects on track and within budget.

"Even in difficult times the competition within the industry remains fierce. We need to have robust IT infrastructure if we want to remain ahead,"

said Hanna Abdul Ahad, CEO of Al Husam Group.

"Al Husam is involved in many construction projects across the region. SAP is providing us the visibility to manage these projects, at lower costs and with greater ease than previously possible."

Built from the ground up in close cooperation with SAP customers around the world, the SAP for EC&O solution portfolio is highly configurable, ensuring a close fit to an organization's specific needs.

According to Arif B. Rahman, Member of the Board and Group Director of Finance ETA ASCON & Star Group: "We saw significant business benefits in deploying a suitable ERP solution in the Group, particularly in the areas of working capital management, treasury management, HR management, project management in the EC&O industry and manufacturing."

Efficient, effective communication is one of the keys to success in a dispersed project-orientated work environment. SAP for EC&O helps companies collaborate and share information across project teams, including joint venture partners, subcontractors, vendors, engineering partners, and owners.

SAP brings thirty years of active involvement in the construction industry - supporting thousands of construction industries across the globe - into the SAP for EC&O solution portfolio. Providing a tightly integrated set of applications that capture every aspect of the construction business, SAP for EC&O helps the customer complete more projects on time and within budget with fewer resources. The end result: maximum profits and business growth over the long term.