- Joint developer team implements digital applications or user apps for operations at clients
- IBM Cloud Garage enables significantly higher development speed and ensures customer added value
Apleona has entered into a development partnership with IBM for digital and cloud-based applications in real estate management. The aim of the cooperation is to develop operatively usable applications with IBM and major customers, test them in portfolios managed by Apleona, and then launch them on a broad basis as standard applications for real estate managers/real estate users at customer locations. More specifically, digital solutions are being implemented in areas such as predictive maintenance, office space utilization (with the option of forecasts on anticipated utilization levels), and automated solutions for reception and concierge services.
In addition, a customer cockpit is being developed that allows building users to obtain key services or report a problem with the building via their smartphone or PC. Apleona is starting the joint development of digital user applications with major customers in the areas of financial services and industrial technology as well as with IBM itself.
“In addition to establishing a completely cloud-based digital platform that ensures us connectivity for many further data-based solutions and processes, working with IBM, for example in the Cloud Garage, is a key element of our digitalization offensive. Overall, we want to systematize the initiatives that were previously spread out across our Group, bundle resources, and in particular significantly increase the development speed at which these new applications and products can be put into operational use,” explained Apleona CEO Dr. Jochen Keysberg.
The partnership is centered on a development cooperation of Apleona and IBM specialists in the IBM Cloud Garage and the Watson IoT Center in Munich. A permanent core team of five service specialists from Apleona, complemented by further experts, will work there with IBM Garage employees on digital products and solutions for Apleona customers. Apleona can access and draw on the entire IBM toolbox of digital technologies as well as its staff and technical resources. Similar to a startup, the team in the IBM Cloud Garage works and functions quickly, with flat hierarchies and short decision-making paths. The iterative process includes the development of the idea through the first minimal application to a product that is scalable andusable on a large scale.
“In the IBM Cloud Garage, an IBM consultancy with the feel of a start-up company, all stakeholders – product managers, architects, designers, developers and sponsor users – come together in order to work in an inspiring environment,” remarked Jörg Holzschuh, Practice Manager of the IBM Cloud Garage for Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.“ These teams create new applications in a short time and use IBM Design Thinking, agile, and DevOps practices based on tried-and-tested reference architectures and innovative technologies, such as Blockchain, cognitive computing, the Internet of Things (IoT), microservices and much more.”
The first solutions are expected to have been developed and at the customer in a test phase as early as this summer.
