Technology transforming facility management sector. Enhancing efficiency, sustainability, and operational performance

Effective communication and the flow of information are crucial for fulfilling the strategic objectives of Facility Management. They are interdisciplinary practices focused on managing buildings and facilities for the benefit of building users. The main goal of Facility Management is to alleviate building occupants from issues that are not directly related to their core business.

Efficient information management and integration of various actions of the Facilities Management, and technology tools play a crucial role. These tools offer numerous solutions that facilitate the acquisition, processing, redundancy, and analytics of information about in-use buildings. Several technology-based Facility Management systems have been developed, such as CAFM (Computer Enabled Facility Management system), CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management system), BAS (Building Automation System), and EMS (Environmental Management System). These systems deliver successfully in building management, but often their functionality is limited due to a lack of interoperability. While they work smoothly as separate systems or silos, they cannot communicate externally, resulting in a lack of an information exchange platform.

Facility Management performance relies on effective communication and information management among large teams of technicians, managers, and third-party companies. These entities collaborate on tasks aided by technology applications. The technology that significantly impacted Facility Management is the Internet of Things (IoT). IoT involves connecting devices, sensors, and equipment to the internet, enabling them to collect and share real-time data to facilitate optimum space usage. For example, an occupancy sensor, an IoT-enabled device, can be installed throughout a facility to detect and monitor occupancy levels in different areas. By collecting data on patterns of space utilization, facility managers can gain insights into how to make informed decisions about space planning and allocation. With the data collected from occupancy sensors, facility managers can regulate various systems within the facility, such as HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) and lighting.

For example: After detecting occupancy in a specific area, the HVAC system can automatically adjust temperature and ventilation settings to ensure optimal comfort for occupants. Similarly, while planning and installing lighting systems to provide adequate illumination exclusively when and where it is needed, reducing energy waste and cost.

Furthermore, the real-time data collected through IoT devices can enable proactive maintenance and asset management.

Connected equipment and sensors can continuously monitor critical systems, allowing facility managers to detect issues or anomalies in real-time. This data-driven approach enables predictive maintenance, where maintenance activities are performed based on actual equipment conditions rather than predetermined schedules. By addressing maintenance needs before they escalate into costly breakdowns, facility managers can enhance equipment reliability, reduce downtime, and extend asset life cycles.

Another technology that has had a significant impact on the facilities management sector is Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS). BEMS plays a crucial role in enhancing sustainability and energy efficiency within facilities. BEMS enables a Centralized Monitoring System and control of energy-related systems within buildings. They help track energy consumption, identify areas of improvement, and implement energy-saving measures. By optimal energy usage, BEMS contribute to cost reduction.

Adopting Smart Building Systems is another area where technology is transforming facilities management. These systems integrate multiple functions, such as HVAC, lighting, security, and access control, into single platforms. Facilities managers can remotely monitor and control these systems, ensuring efficient management of various building operations. Smart Building Systems leverage data and automation to regulate energy usage, improve occupant comfort, and enhance security measures.

So, here’s the way forward. The purpose of Facility Management is to create value for companies and reduce costs by implementing processes that support the enterprise’s core business. These include applying innovative technology to reduce indirect costs, implementing standards, automating processes, gathering data for operational safety analysis, estimating reliability measures, performing probabilistic risk assessments, inspecting potential system failures, and assessing relevance and uncertainty.

With increasing concerns about environmental impact, ESG governance, and net-zero targets, facility management must prioritize sustainability and energy efficiency. Embracing green building practices, like renewable energy sources, energy-efficient systems, and waste reduction strategies, must become the norm. Technology-enabled regulatory compliances and optimizing resource consumption can help facility managers implement these sustainable practices. Additionally, advancements such as bio-luminescent lighting solutions can be an alternative to traditional lighting systems. These innovative lighting solutions use natural biological processes to produce light, offering energy savings and reduced environmental impact. Green roofs and vertical farming provide several benefits such as improved energy efficiency, reduced storm water runoff, enhanced insulation, biological waste management, indoor air quality enhancement through bio filters and bio remediation techniques which utilize living organisms or microbial processes to purify the air, reducing the reliance on chemical-based air treatment methods, and alternate energy resources to contribute to these goals.

Technology has become a driving force in transforming the facilities management sector, improving efficiency, sustainability, and operational performance. Future requirements involve leveraging technology to envision a single platform where diverse vendors, service providers, services, individuals, and processes seamlessly converge as a unified entity, giving rise to a transformative concept of integrated facility management.

Integrating advanced technology into facilities management processes may initially come with substantial capital and operational expenses. Companies seeking to leverage technological advancements for managing their facilities may need to invest in areas like research and development, hardware and software acquisition, employee training, infrastructure upgrades, and ongoing maintenance. These costs can appear daunting to organizations considering the adoption of these technologies.

However, as more companies recognize the potential benefits and competitive advantages of employing technology in facilities management, the demand for these solutions is expected to grow. This increased demand paves the way for economies of scale to come into play. In summary, while integrating technology into facilities management initially involves significant expenses, the increasing adoption and market demand for these solutions create an environment that supports economies of scale. As more organizations adopt these technologies to enhance their facility management processes, the cost per unit decreases due to efficiencies gained through larger-scale adoption, improved supply chain relationships, and advancements in the technology itself. Over time, this trend will reduce the overall cost of adopting and implementing technology for facilities management, making it more viable and beneficial for businesses in this domain.