2006 "Digie" Award Winners Announced!
Transforming a real estate company into a digital model is an ambitious goal. Some firms have embraced this change and each year Realcomm recognizes these innovators in our industry with the prestigious "Digie" Award (short for Commercial Real Estate Digital Innovation Awards).
Best Use Of Automation
Commercial real estate companies that are in the forefront of thought leadership and innovation understand that it is not technology that creates positive results, but rather a combination of different technologies that facilitates automation. Whether it’s a new work order management system that allows tenants to get a leak fixed faster, or integrated transaction systems that allow for more efficient and accurate transactions -- automation is central to the future of our industry. Brokerage companies, building owners, and property managers who understand the benefits of streamlining business processes will surely be the leaders of tomorrow. For the “Best Use of Automation” award, Realcomm looked for companies who were effectively using the following six categories of technology: Inexpensive Computers, Broadband, Wireless, Internet Appliances, a Standard Wide Area Network (The Internet) and Internet-Based Integrated Information Systems (IBIIS) to create new business solutions and experiences for their employees, associates, tenants and business partners! The following are the categories for the “Best Use of Automation” Award:
- Academia
- Architectural Design
- Brokerage
- Commercial Appraisal
- Commercial Lending
- Commercial Real Estate Law
- Corporate Real Estate
- Developer
- Facilities Management
- Property Management
- Owner/REITs
Most Digital Real Estate
”Digital Real Estate,” “Smart-Intelligent Buildings” -- there are many names to describe these next generation buildings. Realcomm has defined three different ways a building can aggressively apply technology to a building in order to facilitate a more digital life style: Tenant Experience, Building Automation, and Property Operations. The ultimate goal digital real estate applications is not simply technology, but the creation of an environment where tenants are happy, leasing rates are above market, occupancy and tenant retention rates are high, and where operating expenses are lower. The accomplishment of these objectives can lead to a higher property valuation. The following are the categories for the "Most Digital Real Estate" Award:
- “Extreme” City
- “Extreme” Office Building (United States)
- “Extreme” Office Building (International)
- “Extreme” Retail Complex
- “Extreme” Multifamily Residential
- “Extreme” Mixed-Use
Most Innovative Technology
Finding fast changing, exciting, yet tactical new technology is not difficult. After visiting many industry technology conferences, it is apparent that we often invent technology for the sake of technology. However, every once in a while, a new idea, technology, or concept comes along that has industry changing potential. It will change the way we work and play dramatically -- and possibly without us even noticing. The commercial real estate technology sector over the last couple of years has grown to new heights and is beginning to understand what technology can mean to an inefficient industry. The “Most Innovative Technology” category recognizes the use of the technologies, which will dramatically change the way we live, work and play -- and ultimately the way we use space. The following are the categories for the “Most Innovative Technology” Award:
- General Technology
- Real Estate Transaction Technology
- Building Automation Technology
Industry Impact
Transforming the commercial real estate industry into a digital model is not an easy task. For years, the innovators commercial real estate have struggled to gain acceptance by an industry that has been doing things the same way for a very long time. However, given the size and scope of the impact our business has on the U.S. and international economy, combined with the fact that our systems are terribly inefficient, these visionaries have not given up. The “Industry Impact” award is designed to acknowledge those individuals who were the first to recognize and implement new ways of doing business, had the courage to depart from the mainstream, and had the tenacity to continue even after many failed attempts. History proves that major socio-economic change does not occur without such innovators, and for this they need to be recognized.
Best Use of Automation – Real Estate Academia
Carnegie Mellon University
Contact - Volker Hartkopf
- World recognized leader in energy management for commercial projects
- Thought-leader in flexible, sustainable workplace designs
- Integral participant in the development of “connected: building concepts
Best Use of Automation – Appraisal
Appraisal Institute
Contact - Bruce Kellogg
- Consistent leadership in the promotion of technology to the appraisal industry
- Has assumed a lead role in the establishment of data standards
- Have worked diligently to establish an appraisal database
Best Use of Automation – Architectural Design
Gehry Technologies
Contact - Frank Gehry
- Recognized as world-wide leader in innovative design solutions
- Instrumental in the development of next generation architectural design tools
- A constant promoter for the advancement of design through technology
Best Use of Automation – Commercial Brokerage
BRE Commercial - Grubb & Ellis
Contact - John Frager
- Identifiable innovative vision of executive leadership
- Openness to evaluate early adopter technology
- Consistent investment in automated business solutions
Best Use of Automation – Commercial Lending
Green Park Financial
Contact - Steve Haas
- Awarded Fannie Mae’s “Best Technology” Award for 2005
- Creation of a “single data entry point” for multiple application utilization
- Integration of internal systems with outside technologies such as Google Earth
Best Use of Automation – Commercial Real Estate Law
Proskauer Rose
Contact - Ron Sernau
- Early architect of automated lease concept
- Recognized as an innovator for improving the leasing process
- Consistent support of automation concepts despite great resistance
Best Use of Automation – Corporate Real Estate
Shell Oil Real Estate Department
Contact – Chuck Badrick
- Aggressive and comprehensive automation of lease contracts for their retail locations
- Extraordinary efforts in designing of an automated contract process
- Creation and deployment of an integrated database engine to manage documents
Best Use of Automation – Developer
Akridge
Contact - Tommy Russo
- Aggressive adoption of early innovative business solutions
- Persistent investigation of new ideas and concepts
- Willingness to share experience with others in the industry
Best Use of Automation – Facilities Management
The Macerich Company
Contact - JP Jones
- Consistent leader and visionary regarding technology and the retail sector
- First to deploy the concept of a “Building Operations Center” for retail facilities
- Deployment of sophisticated integrated building automation technologies
Best Use of Automation – Property Management
Trizec Properties
Contact - John Pomeranz
- Comprehensive accessibility of all corporate information systems via the Internet
- Single Point entry into lease abstract, leasing, work order, accounting and intranet
- Initiation of web-based application for entry and analysis of energy data
Best Use of Automation – Owner/REITs
GE Asset Management
Contact - Roland Siegl
- Definitive strategy for 21st century workplace development
- Leadership role in the implementation of “Building Optical Networks” (BONs)
- Early adoption of technology instrumental in aggressive energy conservation
“Digital” Real Estate – “Extreme” City
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Contact - Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
- Pushing the limits for “vision” in defining a 21st century city
- Relentless pursuit of innovation and best practices for real estate development
- Strategic inclusion of technology in the design of a 21st century master plan
“Digital” Real Estate – “Extreme” Office Building – United States
One America Plaza
Contact - Matt Spathas
- Strategic implementation of a “Building Optical Network”
- Design and implementation of an “IP Centric” building automation solution
- Aggressive adoption of “a paperless” business operation strategy
“Digital” Real Estate – “Extreme” Office Building – International
Matsushita - Tokyo Headquarters
Contact - Tetsuji "Ted" Miyanoh
- Design and deployment of extreme energy conservation solutions
- Successful workplace design that maximizes environmental and cultural goals
- Design of a world-class, state-of-the-art, 3D construction design simulator
“Digital” Real Estate – “Extreme” Retail Complex
West Edmonton Mall
Contact – Joseph Schuldhaus,
- Deployment of sophisticated wire and wireless telecom infrastructure
- Extensive use of comprehensive building automation systems
- One of the first to offer hot-spot wireless access to retail shoppers
“Digital” Real Estate – “Extreme” Multifamily Residential
BPG Properties - Barbizon 63
Contact - Cory Hildebrand
- Implementation of a “Connected” IP telecommunications infrastructure
- Development of a suite of tenant “home automation” features and services
- Deployment of IP based audio and video concierge services
“Digital” Real Estate – “Extreme” Mixed-Use
Ballantyne Village
Contact – George Shield
- Deployment of comprehensive “IP” based network infrastructure
- Implementation of innovative “intelligent bathroom” solutions
- Implementation of sophisticated, integrated, networked digital signage
Most Innovative Technology - General
Google
Contact - Dr. Eric Schmidt
- World’s most recognized search engine
- Leader in the deployment of next generation web based applications
- Openness when it comes to application development and integration
Most Innovative Technology – Real Estate Transaction – Accounts Payable Automation
AvidXchange – Nexus Systems – rCash
Contacts - Michael Praeger – AvidXchange; Tom Coolidge – Nexus Systems; Glen Murray – eCash
- Excellent example of improved business process automation
- Quantifiable and fast financial return on investment
- Foundation for expanded application integration
Most Innovative Technology – Building Infrastructure Automation
Siemens - Wireless Mesh Network
Contact – Ann Gionetti
- Early innovator in introduction of a wireless controls architecture
- A thought-leader and promoter of wireless mesh networking concepts
- Recognized not only a market leader but also a technology leader
Commercial Real Estate Industry – “Digital” Impact Award
Matt Spathas - SENTRE Partners
- Thought-leader and promoter of Commercial Real Estate innovation
- An early adopter of Intelligent NextGen Building Concepts
- Constantly involved in research and investigation into leading-edge solutions
Jim Whalen - Boston Properties
- Viewed as a leader and visionary in the Commercial Real Estate IT industry
- Consistently involved in projects that help to positively promote Real Estate IT
- Recognized as an IT leader who operates first from a business perspective
Hari Gunasingham – Eutech
- Recognized worldwide as one of the leading visionaries in NextGen RE projects
- Involved in designing and developing leading Intelligent Building technologies
- One of the first to envision integrated IB based enterprise-building concepts
David Stanford - RealFoundations
- Considered in the industry to be one of the foremost authorities on Real Estate IT
- A consistent contributor to industry forums, events and other intellectual exchanges
- Involved in some of the world’s most sophisticated Real Estate IT projects
We wish to thank everyone who took the time to submit their nominations for Digie winners this year. Your help with the nominations is sincerely appreciated because the task of identifying the innovators is just too large for any single person, company or conference to try to tackle alone. So if, in your travels, you spot a potential Digie nominee, please remember to submit them when we open up nominations so that the industry as a whole can be inspired by their vision and efforts.
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