Every year, the facilities management industry's limits shift noticeably. As new technologies develop, expectations shift, and working methods vary, this industry must adapt to meet these challenges. Facilities management software is rapidly becoming regarded as a vital business tool in organizations of all shapes and sizes, as the sector's digital transformation shows no signs of slowing. However, this software is just one part of FM that has evolved significantly over time and will continue to do so shortly. The demand for better, faster, and more secure facility maintenance management systems will never go away as long as these technologies continue to evolve and make facility management easier.
Here are some facilities management software trends to be aware of as you plan for the upcoming year.
Reducing real
estate footprints
Many organizations will want to shrink the size of their real estate in 2022, owing in part to the shift toward hybrid and remote working. Rather than paying exorbitant rates for pricey office space that is no longer needed due to a reduction in the number of employees on-site, initiatives will be taken to lower these costs.
These actions, however, will necessitate FM teams reviewing how their buildings are organized to adequately accommodate everyone on-site. Space and motion management will be prioritized, allowing smaller layouts to accommodate bigger groups of people when needed and creating surroundings more conducive to hot-desking and collaborative working.
Employee Health and
Safety in the Post-Pandemic Era
Whether or not there is an ongoing epidemic of COVID-19, employee health and safety protocols are likely to be a permanent fixture in the workplace. Facilities managers have a strong obligation to maintain workplaces cleaner, safer, and more resistant to viral outbreaks. Maintaining health and safety standards through measures such as social distance, cleanliness, and contact tracking is more vital than ever, putting the onus on facility managers to design new systems to meet these demands.
Mobile-based solutions can assist by providing real-time information into workspace utilization, such as what is available, what is in use, and what needs to be cleaned.
The entry of
Artificial Intelligence in the FM world
Artificial intelligence (AI) advancements are real and happening, with the technology finding extensive applications in the facilities management business. AI-powered facility maintenance management software can automate operations such as establishing maintenance schedules, repair reports, replacement requests, and assigning key duties to the relevant people. AI-based solutions can also function effectively outside of working hours, making them a viable option for monitoring assets, machinery, and equipment that are approaching critical thresholds.
Depending on the information gathered, a few organizations are also employing AI to make critical choices such as suspending operations. AI deployment has also increased production and efficiency, lowering organization maintenance expenses.
Companies will
outgrow their CMMS solutions.
CMMS technologies have long provided cost-effective solutions for controlling maintenance activities within facilities. However, they are frequently limited outside of that maintenance approach, necessitating the use of additional software to address the numerous difficulties that facilities teams encounter as their responsibilities expand. Many CMMS software suppliers often have antiquated software infrastructure, making integration with other systems challenging.
Data-driven decision-making is increasingly a prerequisite for facilities teams across industries. To deal with the pressures of 2021, facilities teams will need to empower themselves with the correct data. More precisely, facilities teams will demand software that can not only manage their maintenance but also assist them in dealing with other issues – all under one roof and in a system that can freely interact with BMS, BAS, and other building systems. As Baby Boomers retire and a digital-first generation enters the facilities workforce, there will be a demand for simple-to-use technology.
Mobile Apps for
Employers
Aside from hot-desking and health and safety features, mobile-first employee apps can provide a variety of other services and capabilities that facilities managers can use to improve employee engagement and experience.
Employer mobile apps provide features like SSO (Single Sign-On), live employee directories, meeting and booking software, space occupancy tools, location services, and much more. An employer mobile platform’s open partner ecosystem can also streamline apps used by your employees, merging them into a single, easy-to-access site, reducing app overhead and system maintenance.
Investing in smart
building technology
The use of Internet of Things (IoT) devices continues to grow, with IDC forecasting that there will be over 41.6 billion linked devices by 2025. Smart building technology is already assisting facilities managers in creating a more comfortable, energy-efficient environment, managing building systems and assets, and planning for future demands in the workplace.
