Security is becoming increasingly vital nowadays, whether we talk about cyber security or physical security. When researching about it, we came across BeCode International, a company offering keyless, offline, and cable-free lock systems for enhanced security. We then decided to interview Muneer Ayaad, the Co-Founder & Managing Director of BeCode International.
You would think that there are plenty of keyless lock system providers; why BeCode? Well, what caught our interest in this company is that they provide lock systems requiring no internet or cabling to the electricity main! In addition, the exceptional journey of Muneer, a passion-driven entrepreneur, made us more curious to know about him. Check out our interview to learn more about Muneer and his company.
Explain the background of you and the company in detail.
My name is Muneer Ayaad. I studied Accounting/Finance at the New York institute of technology and later on completed my Master’s in Business Administration, majoring in Entrepreneurship, from the University of Hartford.
After acquiring my Masters’s degree, I co-founded BeCode international, a German company based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Specialized in intelligent lock solutions globally, bringing innovative ideas that entertain various industries with versatile, unique & customized solutions.
At BeCode, we believe that the security, accessibility, and management of locking systems are vital to the efficiency of the environment in which they operate. We offer advanced locking solutions with algorithm-based technology. By thinking beyond the conventional, BeCode has developed unique and exceptional lock solutions to transform any application.
We have a very bespoke attitude to lock solutions, from helping you choose the best BeCode locks for your particular needs to provide full pre and post-sales support. Our locks offer many advantages in administration, simplicity of use, and reduced capital expenditure.
Created to overcome the frustrations associated with traditional locks, the BeCode range is keyless and cable-free.
We have made many products in the Middle East and globally. For example, In the UAE Expo 2020, we provided locker rental systems. In addition, we also provided Express locker systems to the Dubai electricity and water Authority, Dubai Customs, and Abu Dhabi Police. We customize a unique solution for everyone so that it’s efficient. At BeCode, we do not offer over-the-shelf products. It’s fully customized for your operations. Beyond lockers, we designed many other solutions like Dropox – A personal delivery station for houses and the Diplomatic Bag.
My career hasn’t been “only” my personal efforts. Support from a person I admire the most is why I am where I am now. He is my mentor, partner, and person who gave me direction. He made me figure out that I was an entrepreneur who had something sparking inside and wanted to come out. This person is my father-in-law, Eng. Aref Saqer.
What are your goals?
As an entrepreneur, I aim to become a global leader in such a technology. We want to become unique and help customers with efficiency and convenience. Our technology and solutions are practical, and we need something useful for practical life. This kind of uniqueness allows us to grow fast.
What do you feel is the biggest strength of yourself/company right now?
First of all, the uniqueness of the technology. We can design and/or customize solutions that require internet without internet. It’s our advantage over competitors. There is no issue with the location or a certain infrastructure, as we can install it anywhere.
When talking about myself, I would say my biggest strength is that I am a fighter and never give up. I am not the one to quit; whenever something arises, I seek more. All people who work with me know that I am not a money-oriented person. I don’t intend to make my company grow faster or succeed for a profit-motive. Instead, I enjoy creating solutions, coming up with scalable ideas, and seeing them live and see and people leveraging the same, then money will follow.
What was the path you/your company took to get to where you are today?
It’s all about passion. Since the beginning of my career, I have been looking for something unique to represent. I had different attempts before, and it didn’t work well, but that’s normal. Whenever we fail in our life, we understand better.
So far, I think it seems like it’s going in the right direction. Still, it’s very far from where we are, compared to our goals. So, we will keep moving forward, Inshallah.
To present something unique that people will talk about drives me to keep moving forward toward my goals and helps me continue on this path.
What have been the biggest challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Challenges are everywhere. The challenge we faced was the uniqueness or newness of our technology. Customers were afraid of trying it out.
In the beginning, we faced rejections. Our area was very limited till we got to a point where we became stable. We started with one solution (locker rental system) to provide lockers to universities and schools. In a revenue-sharing scheme, we started expanding our services for attractions and festivals. When Covid came, and everything was blocked, no schools, universities, or physical presence, and everything went digital.
During the lockdown in 2020, I was looking forward to alternative business models, so I was working continuously to utilize our algorithm on other solutions and convert the struggle into a benefit. So we designed solutions for delivery. We started DROPOX, the first delivery station for houses to receive any kind of package without the need to meet the driver at the same time and to eliminate the interaction, and at the same time, it’s convenient.
However, I am not expecting the challenges to end here. It’s because challenges come with opportunities.
Give us one word that describes you the best.
Fighter. In terms of “I never quit my dreams, and I keep trying.” Whenever there’s something in my mind I want to achieve, I like that about myself. Sometimes I look in the mirror and say to myself, “come on, there’s an easy path. Why are you taking the harder one.” But as I said, I will never quit.
What do you value most about your culture and vision?
As I mentioned before, as much as we come up with more ideas and solutions for different sectors, the system’s uniqueness is that we don’t have any limitations. Our slogan is limitless, which I think can be a one-word vision.
I’m not the kind of person who speaks about visions. Well done is better than well said. I work with my team instead of creating visions and quotes. Whenever I think of something, I want to make it happen.
Tell us something about your memorable incident in your leadership.
Whenever you start a new venture, the hardships you face in the beginning will put you in many situations. It will later come to you as memories.
I always remember all the tough and good times I spent with my team members. Another thing about me is that I am not someone who sits behind the desk and sets orders. You would find me working with the workers at sites on big projects. It’s not only getting projects through meetings. I remember one time when my team and I worked 36 hours straight on a last-minute project. So we installed everything in place for those hours.
How do you see the company changing in two years, and how do you see yourself creating that change?
Of course, technology is an industry that changes continuously. I always say to my team members that technology will change. It’s very unique now, but maybe in 2,3, or 5 years, things will change, and I want us to be the first ones to bring a unique change in our field. I have some plans and ideas on how to enhance what we are doing in a better way. Of course, it will require more time in order to achieve that.
Connect with Muneer Ayaad on LinkedIn.