Dubai, UAE, 18 October 2016: Smart Dubai has launched the online portal of DubaiNow, the unified services platform already available as a mobile app, during the third day of GITEX Technology Week 2016. The platform is the first to meet the daily needs of Dubai residents with more than 55 smart services available from 24 government and private entities in a single user experience, making city services more seamless and efficient for Dubai residents, and contributing to the vision of Smart Dubai.
A high level delegation headed by His Highness Sheikh Ammar Bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman and Chairman of Ajman Executive Council, visited Smart Dubai pavilion on the third day of the 36th edition of GITEX Technology Week to learn about the daily smart services that are contributing to more impactful experiences for Dubai.
During the visit, the delegation toured the DubaiNow unified service platform, a distinctive and comprehensive smart solution from the Smart Dubai Government Establishment (SDG), the technology arm of Smart Dubai Office, and the first unified platform of its kind to integrate smart government services and enable customers to access all services and conduct all transactions in one place and at any time, through an array of digital channels including: mobile phones, wearables, websites, smart kiosks, and IVR.
DubaiNow App, first version of DubaiNow platform
The DubaiNow app, which was the first channel to be introduced on the DubaiNow platform, was launched at GITEX 2015. The comprehensive app, which is currently available for iOS and Android users, provides an integrated city service experience supporting most daily needs of Dubai residents, with more than 55 services available from 24 government and private entities so far. DubaiNow won the Best m-Government Service Award in the One Stop App category at the national level during the World Government Summit 2016 and the Best Government Mobile App of the Year’ category at the ‘.GOV Awards 2016’ in Dubai and the northern emirates.
H.E. Dr. Aisha Bin Bishr, Director General of Smart Dubai Office, said: "The DubaiNow platform is a powerful example of what we can accomplish, for the happiness of our people, when we work together as government departments and the private sector. By providing a unified window to Dubai city services through DubaiNow, we are making city experiences more seamless and impactful for our residents. And with a shared data enabling services for identification and payments, we are creating a more efficient and secure city. The Dubai Now web portal, as the next evolution in the DubaiNow platform, further enhances our ongoing efforts to achieve the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to make Dubai the happiest city on earth: With technology as our tool, happiness becomes the goal.
Meanwhile, H.E. Wesam Lootah, CEO of Smart Dubai Government Establishment (SDG), said: "We are keen in SDG on designing smart and innovative services and apps that reflect our shared vision, to make Dubai the happiest city on earth. As the technology arm of Smart Dubai, SDG is supporting the Smart Dubai initiative to connect and enable more efficient, seamless, safe and impactful city experiences, powered by smart technology. DubaiNow is the fulfillment of the directives of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council, stressing the need to provide a unified and integrated window for city services. DubaiNow is this window, and it has been created in collaboration with our strategic partners in the government and private sector, contributing to our mandate, to work together for the happiness of the city.
DubaiNow features more than 55 connected smart services for your happiness
Since the announcement of the DubaiNow app during GITEX 2015, several new services have been added from a growing list of public and private sector contributors. Among the latest services provided under DubaiNow are ‘Ejari’ which facilitates rental contract procedures, ‘Makani,’ and ‘Criminal Antecedents Clearance Certificate.’ Additional applications include “Locator” for schools, hospitals, clinics, and city service centres in the case of emergencies.
The DubaiNow application includes an impressive array of innovative and interdependent government services that support easy and smooth transactions, benefiting from shared data. A parent, for example, can browse vaccination plans under the health category connected to the Dubai Health Authority. Because a child is one of the most important things in a person’s life, users can keep a record of vaccinations that can be stored by DubaiNow, along with the dates of the next vaccination on a personal dashboard. As the single hub for most city services organized by customer-centric life domains such as health, travel and education, users can seamlessly transition from, for example, accessing pediatrician services to topping off their Salik in a unified app experience.
The application also allows the user to design a list of favorite smart services that can be accessed via a one-click button. Smart services can be easily added to or removed from the Favorites menu. Prayer Times can even be added to the Personal Dashboard, and DubaiNow will notify users of prayer timings and direct them to the nearest mosque.
After downloading DubaiNow, users can also browse schools in Dubai, and review their curricula, annual fees and other information that can help in choosing the right school for their children. In recognition of the importance of time-saving for Dubai’s residents, DubaiNow was designed to make life easier. Through it, users can automatically pay electricity, water and telecommunications bills as well as traffic fines.
All customers who have existing accounts with mPay app or MyID service will be able to use their login to access DubaiNow easily and take maximum advantage of an array of the service packages that have been created based on customers’ interests.
These service packages are classified under 11 categories: payments and bills; public transport; security and justice; health; driving; visas; educational services; Islamic services; business; housing; and public services.