With over two decades of experience in commercial real estate, Petr Machula has witnessed—and helped shape—the industry's transformation from analogue chaos to digital sophistication. Now spearheading business development at SINGU, a leading CAFM platform, Machula reveals how cutting-edge AI, ESG integration, and deep user insight are redefining facility management. In this interview, he shares how SINGU is not just keeping up with the times but setting the pace for the future of operational real estate across Central and Eastern Europe.

In 2023, the European Central Bank's interest rates have reached their highest level in 23 years and they are not expected to decrease in the near future. This development has had a significant impact on various sectors, but on top of the podium is the construction and real estate industry. As interest rates rise, investors in both the residential and commercial segments are compelled to reassess their strategies, potentially leading to reductions in investments. Many have realised that now is the perfect time to optimise their portfolios by finding the right digital tools.

Andrei Duță, Country Manager Romania at Realpad spoke to Property Forum about the openness of local residential developers to digitization solutions, but also about the company's expansion into other cities in Romania. Realpad will add digital solutions for the commercial and rental sector as part of an ambitious growth plan in the region.

Realpad, a European provider of CRM and after-sales management software for residential developers, has significantly increased its customer base in Romania in 2021. After entering the market earlier in 2021, the Romanian team of Realpad has managed to close 20 clients including well-established market players such as Hagag Development Europe, Bog’Art, Synergy, Liebrecht & wooD or leading residential agency SVN Romania.

Polish residential developer Marvipol Development started cooperation with the Autenti platform which allows clients to sign contracts leaving their homes.

CBRE has expanded its team with the first humanoid robot available in a real estate company in Romania, PepperEscu. By doing so since May, CBRE aims to use the robot's technological abilities to create synergy between people as end-users of the properties, from office workers to visitors to shopping centres.

Technology is not going to completely reshape the property business overnight, mentality and infrastructure developments will define the speed of adaptation in different parts of the world. Over 120 real estate professionals came together at Property Technology Forum Europe 2018 in Warsaw, co-organised by Property Forum and RICS, to discuss the future of the profession.

Facility managers are no longer the ones that only change the light bulbs or make sure the toilets are clean. FM has grown up and is creating a work environment that supports its users to be able to work productively. Lara Paemen, Director of IFMA Europe, who recently spoke at Property Technology Forum Europe in Warsaw, talked to Property Forum about new trends in facility management.

One of the most active developers of Prague’s office market is ready to embrace the digital transformation and is actively looking at new projects and new locations. Alexandra Tomášková, Managing Director of Skanska Property Czech Republic talked to Property Forum about changing tenant needs, digitisation and market expectations.

Automation and digitisation penetrating all spheres of life also have a material impact on the economy. Experts of Cushman & Wakefield have identified five key factors that will shape the retail and warehouse market growth going forward.