By Peter Costanzo, Director, Facilities Management Team
As most people are aware, real estate and facilities are often the second largest expense category for companies, second only to labor. As a result, facilities management is, or should be, top of mind for most executives. Facilities management covers a wide range of activities including:
- Space management. Facilities managers are responsible for the optimal operation of buildings. This requires space management, resource scheduling, security, facilities planning, and more. Effective use of existing space and planning for future needs can have significant impact on the bottom line.
- Maintenance and asset management. To keep buildings in top condition, facilities managers must perform both preventive and unplanned maintenance. Maintenance also includes work order administration, parts and inventory management, and building assessment.
- Sustainability and energy management. Organizations are becoming increasingly concerned with their buildings’ environmental impact. Facilities managers are responsible for energy management, cost savings, carbon credit calculation, energy efficiency reporting and Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED) certification.
Given the direct linkage between facilities management work and the organization’s bottom line, it’s not surprising that technology can play a central role in improving efficiency and minimizing unnecessary expenditures. Facilities management systems can help standardize processes, automate work, and generate analytics that can be used for decision support.
Technology trends affecting facilities management include integrated workplace management system (IWMS), facilities management systems, enterprise asset management, as well building information modeling (BIM). The key to effective facilities management is access to data at the right place and time. The intelligent use of technology enables facilities managers to track assets, streamline capital planning, forecast needs and expenses, generate reports needed for regulatory compliance, and reduce buildings’ carbon footprint. It’s important to remember, however, that data analysis, in conjunction with best practices and a deep understanding of business requirements, are the key to developing the best facilities management solutions.
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