At Certis, embracing and adopting technology is part of employees’ everyday culture, with the firm embarking on a digital transformation journey many years ago. Certis started in 1958 as a Singapore government unit for auxiliary police and restructured into a private commercial entity in 2005. Today, they are a leading outsourced services partner that provides multi-disciplinary smart security and integrated services, expanding its presence beyond Singapore to include operations in Australia, Hong Kong, Macau, and Qatar.
With over 34,000 employees worldwide, Certis has grown from a traditional physical guarding service provider into a technology-led company, integrating advanced software and technological innovations into its core business offerings to address complex operational challenges, such as labour shortages, technology disruptions and rising wages.
Enabling this transformation is Mozart, a multi-service orchestration platform developed by Certis, which uses automation and analytics to ensure that every function – ranging from security operations to facilities management and even building access management for staff, tenants, and visitors – is coordinated, synchronised, reviewed, and managed with precision and finesse through a single centralised command centre, comparable to an orchestra’s conductor during a concert.
Mozart, coupled with Certis’ Business Process Re-engineering and Operations (BPRO®) framework – which entails the co-creation of bespoke solutions with the customer – aims to increase operational efficiency and create value for businesses to deliver the desired outcomes.
Mozart incorporates artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to deliver advanced analytics, operational insights, and automated workflows, allowing large-scale critical operations involving multiple processes, systems, and responses to be seamlessly orchestrated for greater situational awareness. It collates real-time inputs from IoT sensors such as smart surveillance cameras incorporated with AI, lift supervisory panels, panic alarms, carpark barriers, and intercom to augment 24/7 situational awareness.
The platform acts as an enabler to sense-making, prioritisation of alerts and information through a single view that provides a 100% oversight of all multi-sites, multi-tenanted facilities at an Integrated Command Centre. Incident management and critical security processes are executed in a proactive manner, swiftly orchestrated by multiple stakeholders who are able to make informed decisions.
In addition to unifying real-time inputs from different sensors, Mozart leverages AI-enabled event detection modules to augment detection capability. For instance, using facial recognition to carry out track and trace, crowd detection analytics, fighting detection, and unattended bag detection to enhance threat detection and crime-prevention capabilities across premises. These modules automate incident detection, triggering real-time alerts to Certis operators that enable quicker security response to resolve threats.
Mozart has been designed to be compatible with the needs of many large-scale operations in different industries, including Government, Defence, Education, Healthcare, Retail, Logistics, and more. For some customers, using this automated technology has resulted in a 66% improvement in response time to incidents and 20% reduction in manpower requirements.
By integrating cutting-edge technologies into customers’ processes, Certis has developed a comprehensive solution that provides customers with innovative approaches to security and operational management. This commitment to transformative technology was recently recognised through the ACES award for "Innovative Tech Companies of the Year," positioning Certis as a visionary leader that sets new industry standards and consistently pushes the boundaries of innovation.
Certis’ innovation also stretches beyond customer solutions. The company has applied its technology-driven mindset internally through the introduction of eCertis, a digital self-service platform launched in 2020 for employees. This platform empowers over 18,000 employees by digitalising every step of the business process, from recruitment to payroll, procurement, and rostering. With 90% of its back-office functions fully digitalised, Certis has set a new benchmark for operational excellence in the industry, showcasing how technology can redefine traditional business processes and enable sustainable, secure growth.
Certis’ dedication to innovation has not gone unnoticed. The company’s achievements in technology and operational management were celebrated with the prestigious ACES award, underscoring its success in reshaping security and operational technology through advanced AI, IoT, and automation.
Ongoing investments in research and development (R&D) by Certis have resulted in the creation of 27 technology patents, solidifying its position as an innovator in the security and operations technology space. The company’s R&D efforts are aimed at continuously advancing its digital platforms and ensuring that its clients have access to the latest technological advancements. Certis has also established the Certis Corporate University, which equips its employees with the knowledge and skills required to keep up with technological advancements. This focus on continuous learning and development ensures that Certis remains at the forefront of technological innovation, enabling it to deliver cutting-edge solutions to its clients.
The company’s innovations have been recognised through numerous accolades, including the Singapore Business Review’s Technology Excellence Awards, National Business Awards in 2023, ESG Business Awards, and as well as the Frost and Sullivan Singapore Smart Operations Award in 2024. These awards underscore Certis’ ability to leverage technology to drive business value and create impactful outcomes for its clients. Moreover, Certis’ commitment to its employees has been acknowledged through its inclusion in the HR Asia Best Companies to Work for in Asia, reflecting the company’s dedication to fostering a positive and innovative work environment.
Certis’ forward-thinking approach to technology enables it to offer transformative solutions that redefine security and operational management. By consistently pushing technological boundaries, Certis remains dedicated to shaping the future of integrated operations and setting new benchmarks for innovation in the security and technology industry across multiple sectors.