City Developments Limited (CDL) goes to market as a global real estate operating company with a network spanning 103 locations in 29 countries and regions.

Listed on the Singapore Exchange, the group houses a diverse portfolio comprising of residences, offices, hotels, serviced apartments, integrated developments and shopping malls.

As Chief Technology Officer, Ivan Ng pioneered the launch of CityNexus in 2019, a proprietary digital platform built to redefine user experience through transforming buildings into smart workplaces through the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI).

The platform was deployed for use in the Republic Plaza, one of the tallest commercial buildings in Singapore with over 4000 building occupants.

According to Ng, most office buildings are hampered by siloed systems that cannot leverage the connectivity and intelligence required for a strong user experience.

In response, CityNexus provides “seamless and secure” building access, alongside features such as intelligent parking, smart retail, community newsfeed, building feedback, messaging systems and digital form submission features for tenants.

Following the launch, Republic Plaza became the first commercial building globally to integrate lift destination control and turnstile access within a smart building mobile app.

As explained by Ng, the platform is transforming how building management traditionally operates and engages with tenants and retail merchants.

To ensure success following deployment, CDL worked with key stakeholders such as tenants, retail merchants, building management and facility management partners. More than 35 workshops were organised to outline new processes, endorsed by a dedicated microsite housing FAQ capabilities.

Alongside user enablement, CDL is also maximises emerging technologies to “transform the customer experience”, motivated by the aim of providing “ultimate convenience” for customers at their fingertips.

From a strategic perspective, Ng seeks to influence his team in three ways, through providing leadership and vision; building digital capabilities enterprise-wide and enabling culture for technology change.