Product and Technical Services establishes and communicates the standards required for the Ascott and Somerset brand residences. Product and Technical Services facilitates the integration of design requirements into the design process; it stipulates the specifications for furniture, fittings and equipment; and ensures that day to day operational standards are introduced at all properties and maintained consistently through a rigorous audit system.

Product and Technical Services has established a foundation of standards based around a Design Guideline manual; Operation Policies (Standards) Manual; Health, Safety and Incident Management Manual; Engineering Manual; Furniture, Fittings and Equipment Specification Manual. Pre-Opening Expenses templates for new projects; Pre-Opening models to set up operations in new properties; and certified Pre-Opening teams for setting up and training of staff in the operations for new projects.

The future direction of Product and Technical Services is to review, refine and enhance its foundations to ensure all standards are raised to a consistent level which will protect the integrity of the Ascott Group's brands of Serviced Residences.

In doing so, Product and Technical Services will search for the best innovations in building design, apartment layout, interior design and new products. It is the philosophy of Product and Technical Services to firstly research innovations and assess their feasibility for service apartment properties. Innovations do not necessarily need to be new ideas but can be previous or current ideas. Research can result in innovative improvements. It is the intention of Product and Technical Services to ensure that the Ascott's brands of Serviced Residences are the leaders in the innovational concepts and products.

Product and Technical Services provides the following services:

• Project and Design Management
  There is a full team of experienced project managers, architects, engineers and interior designers who can manage a new project from its inception, or renovate an existing building or provide technical advisory during the construction phase till completion of project.
  
  The team provides expertise in reviewing architectural plans, interior design, layout for back-of-house areas, advise on equipment specifications, evaluating tenders, technology and property management systems, witnessing final commissioning of all mechanical & electrical services include compliance with fire and safety systems to meet TAG's standard.
  
  
• Pre-Opening Process
  Product and Technical Services will provide expertise in set up front office, housekeeping, engineering , operational functions, information technology networks systems etc in a very systematic and cost effective way for the opening of new properties.
  
  
• Property Quality Audit
  When a property is fully operational, Product and Technical Services will support the property manager with technical assistance as well as ensuring that the operational standards as set down within the Policies Manual are attained and maintained consistently. This is achieved through a rigorous audit system.