Similan is a property developer and manager in South Africa that operates projects in partnership with Old Mutual plc. As part of managing a sustainable development project called Urbika Estate, Similan engaged Urbanise to provide an innovative technology platform for billing utilities (water and electricity) and rent to tenants. The Urbanise Utilities platform provided a micro-utility solution using smart meters that enabled Similan to automate billing and collect rent and utilities payments together, reducing tenant arrears. Similan's CEO said the integrated Urbanise Utilities and Facilities solution will make Similan more efficient and help shape the future of property management in South Africa.

1. Similan is a property developer, owner and manager in
South Africa providing turn-key innovative solutions and
services across the entire property lifecycle. They operate a
number of projects in partnership with one of Old Mutual’s
property funds. Old Mutual plc is an international investment,
savings, insurance and banking group with more than
GBP394.9 billion assets under management. As a business
partner of the Old Mutual property fund, Similan is
responsible for the development, maintenance and
management of a number of multi-tenant residential buildings
and complexes for the rental market. Being passionate about
improving and changing the way people live, Similan
engaged Urbanise in 2017 to provide innovative technology
for the provision and billing of
utilities (hot & cold water and
electricity) and rent to the
tenants of their sustainable
development project, Urbika
Estate, in South Africa.
By incorporating solar technology and centralised hot water generation, Similan was able to build a sustainable
energy solution for the Urbika Estate and required a solution through which Similan could manage connections,
disconnections and invoice for electricity, hot and cold water services to the tenants of the property. The Urbanise
Utilities platform was a perfect match providing a comprehensive micro-utility solution by incorporating smart
meters for each of the three utilities, including a new automated shut-off mechanism for the hot water meters. The
advanced tariff engine in the Utilities platform enabled Similan to also tap into the various resell margins which is
available to resellers of electricity in the South African market, automating the end-to-end billing process from meter
reading through to revenue collection. Using a similar principle as a pre-paid mobile data subscription, the
platform’s Smart Wallet feature now enables Similan to collect rent as well as utilities revenue, reducing the risk
of tenants going into arrears on their bills.
With the integrated Utilities & Facilities solutions, Similan now has a comprehensive technology platform which
not only makes them more efficient, but also enables them to unlock additional revenue streams for their business.
Quote form Harold Spies (Similan, CEO)
“The property management industry has up to know been very slow in adopting new technology. During the
conceptualisation and implementation of the integrated Utilities and Facilities management solution, the Urbanise
team and the Urbanise utilities platform was pivotal. We believe the solution will assist us to shape the future of
property management in South Africa.