The Maltese click and mortar home
The computerised home already exists in Malta, and is part and parcel of Tigné Point. It is a technological heaven which uses the latest in communication technology throughout, under the watchful eye of a control centre night and day. Only the view...
The computerised home already exists in Malta, and is part and parcel of Tigné Point. It is a technological heaven which uses the latest in communication technology throughout, under the watchful eye of a control centre night and day.
Only the view from the terrace is very "old tech", for it would be impossible to upgrade a panoramic view that includes the Valletta bastions, Manoel Island and the Sliema sea front.
"Midi's proactive stance on ICT will allow occupants of Tigné Point to enjoy the variety of ICT services available in the local market both today and in the future. The development caters for the needs of an international and vibrant base in which both to live and work. Aware that neither the world nor technology stands still, we decided to use the latest technology to make the development "future-proof". All buildings at Tigné Point have been engineered for the latest multi-media communications and broadband technology - as will those on Manoel Island," said Ben Muscat, chief executive officer of the Midi Consortium.
"Tigné Point's twin block, world-class office building is planned to be operational in mid-2010. With a rentable area of 16,000m2, this will be the largest and most advanced office offer on the Island. The office space is designed to satisfy user fit-outs to the highest specifications and will provide for the best of breed ICT services," said Mr Muscat.
It is for this reason that Midi set up a joint venture with Siemens, SIS Ltd, to provide state-of-the-art ICT services and telephony to facilitate user installations of ICT systems and facilities in the most user-friendly, efficient and flexible manner. SIS Ltd provides the Tigné Point residents with another set of services to choose from which can be highly customised to meet their requirements, concluded Mr Muscat.
Richard Geres, sales manager at SIS, explained that SIS is a fully licensed telephony and internet service provider, at the heart of which lies a state-of-the-art Siemens digital exchange, also referred to as a soft-switch, as used by major telecom operators throughout Europe.
"This is linked to Tigné Point via a fibre-optic infrastructure to permit high-speed internet and telephone services, including video telephony and video conferencing. As a result of the pre-installed infrastructure, telephony and internet service can be provided within minutes once enabled remotely, and is accessible through a full internal network within the apartment.
"For added comfort, residents can port over their old fixed-line telephone number when moving to Tigné Point. The VoIP characteristics of SIS's telephony system permit users to make low-cost fixed line calls through the internet from anywhere in the world using their laptop softphone or Siemens IP telephone set. Other services include a voice mail to e-mail and a fax to e-mail capability, with which users can conveniently receive all their voice messages and faxes in their e-mail application, wherever they may be."
Business users are offered the services of a virtual PBX service for such facilities as conference calling, line extensions and interactive voice response, without the need of purchasing any on-site hardware.
Fibre-optic technology at Tigné Point also provides symmetric high-speed internet access for both residents and commercial outlets. Residences enjoy both fixed-point and wireless internet access through routers and wireless LAN repeaters, making it possible to enjoy the scenery overlooking Marsamxett Harbour while working on a laptop on the apartment's terrace.
SIS also provides web hosting services for commercial websites and co- location services for the servers of companies that want to save on space, air conditioning costs, manpower and connectivity issues. All this is backed by a 24x7 customer support service.
Although the ICT element is strong and can be felt by residents, ICT is also at the heart of the building technologies. Access control, fire detection, intrusion security, closed circuit TV (CCTV), parking facilities and HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) are all administered from the Manoel Island control room.
From the next phase of the project onwards, Tigné Point will be offering a centralised and computerised heating, ventilation and air conditioning system (HVAC) for private residences, resulting in substantial energy savings and a quieter environment. This makes the system environmentally friendly and in line with the Kyoto Protocol by offering a reduced carbon foot-print. The continuous real-time monitoring through specialised software ensures maximum efficiency and effectiveness of the system at all times.
One of the most interesting elements at Tigné Point is the smart card, a proximity card (which doesn't need to be 'swiped', just held close to a reader) that provides access to all common barriers, gates and doors as well as the apartment door itself. This tiny card eliminates the need of carrying around bulky sets of keys and can even be programmed to open certain doors only at limited times during the day.
SIS also provides Siemens Intrusion detection systems for the apartments at Tigné Point and is able to monitor these systems through their control centre. This is an appealing service for tenants who do not live permanently at Tigné Point, and would like to be reassured that their apartment is watched over while they are away.
Only the view from the terrace is very "old tech", for it would be impossible to upgrade a panoramic view that includes the Valletta bastions, Manoel Island and the Sliema sea front.
"Midi's proactive stance on ICT will allow occupants of Tigné Point to enjoy the variety of ICT services available in the local market both today and in the future. The development caters for the needs of an international and vibrant base in which both to live and work. Aware that neither the world nor technology stands still, we decided to use the latest technology to make the development "future-proof". All buildings at Tigné Point have been engineered for the latest multi-media communications and broadband technology - as will those on Manoel Island," said Ben Muscat, chief executive officer of the Midi Consortium.
"Tigné Point's twin block, world-class office building is planned to be operational in mid-2010. With a rentable area of 16,000m2, this will be the largest and most advanced office offer on the Island. The office space is designed to satisfy user fit-outs to the highest specifications and will provide for the best of breed ICT services," said Mr Muscat.
It is for this reason that Midi set up a joint venture with Siemens, SIS Ltd, to provide state-of-the-art ICT services and telephony to facilitate user installations of ICT systems and facilities in the most user-friendly, efficient and flexible manner. SIS Ltd provides the Tigné Point residents with another set of services to choose from which can be highly customised to meet their requirements, concluded Mr Muscat.
Richard Geres, sales manager at SIS, explained that SIS is a fully licensed telephony and internet service provider, at the heart of which lies a state-of-the-art Siemens digital exchange, also referred to as a soft-switch, as used by major telecom operators throughout Europe.
"This is linked to Tigné Point via a fibre-optic infrastructure to permit high-speed internet and telephone services, including video telephony and video conferencing. As a result of the pre-installed infrastructure, telephony and internet service can be provided within minutes once enabled remotely, and is accessible through a full internal network within the apartment.
"For added comfort, residents can port over their old fixed-line telephone number when moving to Tigné Point. The VoIP characteristics of SIS's telephony system permit users to make low-cost fixed line calls through the internet from anywhere in the world using their laptop softphone or Siemens IP telephone set. Other services include a voice mail to e-mail and a fax to e-mail capability, with which users can conveniently receive all their voice messages and faxes in their e-mail application, wherever they may be."
Business users are offered the services of a virtual PBX service for such facilities as conference calling, line extensions and interactive voice response, without the need of purchasing any on-site hardware.
Fibre-optic technology at Tigné Point also provides symmetric high-speed internet access for both residents and commercial outlets. Residences enjoy both fixed-point and wireless internet access through routers and wireless LAN repeaters, making it possible to enjoy the scenery overlooking Marsamxett Harbour while working on a laptop on the apartment's terrace.
SIS also provides web hosting services for commercial websites and co- location services for the servers of companies that want to save on space, air conditioning costs, manpower and connectivity issues. All this is backed by a 24x7 customer support service.
Although the ICT element is strong and can be felt by residents, ICT is also at the heart of the building technologies. Access control, fire detection, intrusion security, closed circuit TV (CCTV), parking facilities and HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) are all administered from the Manoel Island control room.
From the next phase of the project onwards, Tigné Point will be offering a centralised and computerised heating, ventilation and air conditioning system (HVAC) for private residences, resulting in substantial energy savings and a quieter environment. This makes the system environmentally friendly and in line with the Kyoto Protocol by offering a reduced carbon foot-print. The continuous real-time monitoring through specialised software ensures maximum efficiency and effectiveness of the system at all times.
One of the most interesting elements at Tigné Point is the smart card, a proximity card (which doesn't need to be 'swiped', just held close to a reader) that provides access to all common barriers, gates and doors as well as the apartment door itself. This tiny card eliminates the need of carrying around bulky sets of keys and can even be programmed to open certain doors only at limited times during the day.
SIS also provides Siemens Intrusion detection systems for the apartments at Tigné Point and is able to monitor these systems through their control centre. This is an appealing service for tenants who do not live permanently at Tigné Point, and would like to be reassured that their apartment is watched over while they are away.