Tigné Point and Manoel Island are ambitious developments in Malta aiming to offer the best residential, retail and corporate accommodation. They are being constructed by a local consortium, MIDI plc (www.midimalta.com).
In the international property development sector, there is a growing recognition of the strategic importance attached to ICT infrastructure on campus-type projects, and MIDI is at the forefront of this turnaround. Historically, property developers have tended to overlook ICT, considering it a non-critical component of the overall development, and outsourcing it to incumbent service providers. In many cases, this has led to the undesirable outcome of an inadequate infrastructure that fails to meet the expectations of tenants, and is eventually retrofitted and upgraded at considerable expense and inconvenience to all parties.
MIDI, in a move that is beginning to be echoed in the rest of the property market, envisaged that advanced ICT infrastructure would be a key differentiator. It wanted proven technology that would meet its sophisticated tenants’ needs for the next ten years.
The ICT strategy was to encompass telecoms services, TV, broadband, control systems, environmental systems and other building services. After the tender process, Mason Communications was appointed as MIDI’s ICT advisor and is still involved in the projects today.
The Mason team reviewed the strategic, operational, regulatory, service provider and technology environments. Our consultants then analysed available technologies and made recommendations, including a high-level design of the ICT infrastructure. This was followed up by requests for information from interested vendors, before drawing up a detailed ICT infrastructure design and costing, based on comprehensive information from vendors and service providers. Mason’s next task was to draw up a build plan, synchronised with the overall project plan for Tigné Point and Manoel Island. This ensured that ICT was a core component of the overall project, and that the inbuilding infrastructure has become a strategic asset.
Mason supported the procurement process, and has subsequently provided advice throughout the negotiation of final contracts with service providers to fulfil the criteria laid out in the ICT business plan and network infrastructure design.
Perhaps the most surprising aspect was the reassessment of MIDI’s position within the ICT value chain, after Mason identified business models and recommended which should be investigated further. Mason helped develop a business plan to incorporate setting up SIS Limited, a joint venture in Malta between network and equipment supplier Siemens and MIDI plc. It was established to operate and maintain the systems at Tigné Point and Manoel Island.
These services include building technologies such as convenient access control systems, environmentally friendly and energy efficient climate control systems and smart card services. These are aimed at providing high standards of comfort to the residents, businesses and customers using Tigné Point retail and entertainment establishments.
SIS is a licensed telephony and Internet access service provider, which offers IP telephony and data services under the brand name SISCOM.
Tigné Point is now moving at a rapid pace and SIS will provide a comprehensive range of technology-based services backed by a personalised 24/7 service designed to afford a better lifestyle for residential and business users.