According to the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) facilities management (FM) is investing more time and resources into digital tech and mobile device apps.
The RICS survey indicates an increasing demand for FM services across various sectors. These include healthcare, manufacturing and education.
Partly in response to this demand, FM providers are looking for digital solutions to streamline processes, which will increase efficiency and productivity.
So, in what ways can FM use technology to improve systems and processes
Opportunities and Challenges
Digital technology (apps) can make the life of a facilities manager that much easier. Carrying out asset inspections using a mobile device, retiring the paper – based process completely.
Streamlining operations helps you win back valuable time, which can be diverted to more critical, strategic activities.
Technology gives you better access to improved data. This helps with decision-making, providing accurate insights into customers’ needs and pain points.
These opportunities present a future that transforms the role of facilities manager and the scope of this whole area of work.
The challenges come with how willing and well, facilities managers adapt to change and adopt technology to help them with this.
As new technology becomes more widespread, so there will be greater connectivity between buildings, infrastructure and crucial job roles.
At the same time, shifts in the workplace towards concepts such as hybrid working will put new pressures on facilities management. Technology can alleviate these pressures.
What are the Broad Types of Digital Technology Impacting FM?
There are gateway technologies that are already in use in the sector.
These include:
BMS control things like a building’s ventilation, heating and lighting. CAFM enable facilities managers to get an overview of systems and processes. BIM is used at the construction and refurbishment phase in a building’s lifespan to plan its infrastructure. IWMS help companies optimise their workplace resources.
In addition, increasing automation enables facilities managers to carry out tasks more consistently, cheaply, safely and accurately.
Artificial intelligence (AI) goes hand in hand with this, taking automation into new areas of activity.
Some of these involve soft automation, where the interface with customers is increasingly technology-led.
Another vital aspect of the tech revolution in FM is the use of analytics. Analytics provides visibility and clarity around patterns in datasets and relationships between different things. They provide insights that help people make informed decisions.
Practical Technology on the Job
Technology can only transform FM if it is practical. It needs to be user-friendly, with functions that enhance and support how people work.
One such example is the Inspection Manager app. TIM lets out-in-the-field workers complete inspections in real – time and report back to colleagues and clients within minutes of completing the inspection — streamlines operations, takes paperwork out of the equation and drives efficiency and safety in FM.
Many professionals working in FM, property and construction have already discovered the benefits of the Inspection Manager app. You can too, by trying it out for yourself with our FREE 30-day trial.
https://www.theinspectionmanager.co.uk/free-trial/
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Data standardisation refers to using consistent methods for collecting data, although this is a very basic and somewhat generic description of what it truly is. If we delve in deeper, data standardisation is the process used for transforming data to fit a constrained and predefined set of values – ultimately, relying on uniformity to improve efficiencies.
Data standardisation refers to using consistent methods for collecting data, although this is a very basic and somewhat generic description of what it truly is. If we delve in deeper, data standardisation is the process used for transforming data to fit a constrained and predefined set of values – ultimately, relying on uniformity to improve efficiencies.
The previous year was a roller coaster for the commercial property sector, with both landlords and tenants facing unique challenges. It looks like 2023 is also going to be a challenging year for landlords – with the higher increased rates and Section 21 changes, for instance – and for tenants as well, who are finding it to keep up with rental demands owing to the inflation and the current cost-of-living crisis.
When an economic shock or recession hits, all properties are impacted. However, commercial properties must bear most of the brunt because a lower demand in the building, sale, and letting of commercial properties means that businesses cannot function as effectively and contribute to the economy as they normally would.
There’s no escaping technology and the impact it has had on our lives, making everything from ordering something online to power up our home appliances from several miles away really easy. Technology has also fundamentally changed how landlords and letting agencies, for example, buy, manage, and operate spaces – making lives easier for tech-savvy homeowners and demanding tenants alike.
The public at large believes that housing inspections should be in the hands of local councils – at least, according to this survey. Conducted by the APSE (Association for Public Service Excellence) reported that 59% of the public are in favour of Building Inspections by local councils, while 23.4% support private inspections.
In 2021, UK commercial properties contributed on average, 20% of carbon emissions, according to a report published by the Committee on Climate Change. Furthermore, in larger cities, including London, commercial buildings were responsible for more than 70% of the city’s emissions on a whole.
The UK happens to be the most influential property technology or ‘PropTech’ hub in the world, despite Brexit-related problems and uncertainty. As well as the global pandemic, which hit the UK just as hard as some of the worst-hit countries.
The commercial property sector has an important role to play in the UK economy, not only in terms of a direct and indirect output generator, but also in terms of helping retailers, financial services and other businesses boost production.
Technology can transform facilities management (FM), helping you save on costs and drive efficiencies. For many businesses and organisations, their three main expenses are: Employees, Technology, Facilities. However, in the rush to recruit talent and keep up with new technology, organisations can end up overlooking their facilities.
