5 Latest Trends in Facilities Management

 

The facility management and maintenance industry is continuously embracing new and sophisticated technologies. The advancement drives the industry forward and leads to optimistic projections. The industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of more than 14% by 2025. This advancement would not have been possible without an increase in smart technologies such as cloud computing and the internet of things (IoT).

Modern occupants are attracted to digital solutions that offer comfort and convenience. New trends, when combined with the ongoing demand for cost and energy efficiency in facilities management, can provide insights and ideas to help you achieve your goals. 

Let's take a look at five of the top facilities management trends for the modern-day world:

1. Cloud-Based Data Gathering: We anticipate having 24/7 access to data and information from anywhere in today’s world. This is also true in the commercial-built environment. Using cloud-based services considerably simplifies data gathering since facility managers and service providers do not need to figure out how to collect and store data. The expectation is to plug in the equipment and have the data ready for productive use. Only cloud-based services can provide this experience.  

Cloud-based solutions will provide precise and customized data access. A site manager may not need the same level of access to building data as an estate manager. Multi-tenant platforms, as well as project-based access management to specific building assets, are essential aspects of any modern cloud-based system. 

Another area that cloud-based services address with unprecedented elegance and simplicity is data loss risk reduction. There is no need to be concerned about failures or backups because data is gathered and saved for you.

2. IoT Integration: This is a natural tendency since a central control system is required for all devices and systems to function. Sensor technology is an example of IoT in action. It enables the assets of a building to communicate their operating and health status without the need for human intervention. Sensor and battery technology advancements have resulted in wireless devices that require little or no configuration and maintenance and may be deployed in minutes.

The size of a sensor is important; it should not be too visible to renters or occupiers. While any size sensor may be easily installed in a newly constructed property, smaller sensors are preferable for retrofitting existing assets, furnishings, pipes, and plant room equipment.

3. Robotics and the future: Many people are concerned about robots taking over employment, yet robotics technology has the potential to substantially help the business. There are already several instances of robotics applications, such as electronic vacuum cleaners, self-cleaning windows, and drones that survey a building and detect faults. 

When robotized equipment and systems are coupled with artificial intelligence and other technologies, they can provide a more comprehensive and customized service. Simultaneously, machine learning aids in disaster prevention and control. Sensors can detect even the smallest changes in the environment, allowing them to predict leaks, bad installations, and so on.

4. Collaborate for a Better World: Integration with other software means that data may be exchanged directly across systems or that the systems can operate together in some way. Microsoft Office is a good example: Office, Excel, Outlook, and Word all function together and link to form a bigger, interconnected network. This interoperability will be one of the primary paths for advancement in the future of facilities management.

HVAC and plumbing are intimately connected to facility maintenance activities. They used to operate independently, but in today's market, it's inevitable to receive all of these services from a single supplier. Combining a wide range of services enables businesses to provide more adaptable and inclusive solutions, resulting in higher customer satisfaction. It removes the need for consumers to transfer providers, which improves building management efficiency and service quality substantially.

5. Focus on Flexible Workplaces: With many organizations making the permanent shift to flexible working, an increasing number of enterprises are looking for flexible workplaces. This, however, necessitates more effort on the part of facility managers. Flexible workplaces include activity-based workstations, hot desks, agile spaces, and distinct co-working areas located outside of the main office. They provide space savings at the expense of centralized administration.

Facilities managers are transforming into workplace administrators, and they see contemporary IWMS systems as critical success instruments. Every aspect of the workplace, from workstations to collaborative, personal, and recreational areas, must benefit employees in some manner. Workers who feel accommodated and respected are more likely to give their all and build loyalty to their business, making it simpler to attract and retain top talent.

To Sum it up, these top five building management trends for 2021 underscore the ever-increasing need to cooperate, keep impacted persons informed, and alter plans as new information becomes available. Regardless of the obstacles posed by the worldwide pandemic, facilities management assists organizations in navigating these unusual times. With access to high-quality outside services, organizations may concentrate their efforts on the parts of the facilities that require the greatest attention.