The spread of COVID-19 across the globe and its repercussions within our country itself stands testament to the severity of the crisis. Post the pandemic, once we move in the normalcy period, it will radically alter the ethos of business functionality.
The COVID-19 pandemic has put the spotlight on the facility management (FM) services, with a focus on cleaning, disinfecting and sanitisation. Facility management companies are implementing the learning from other Asian and European countries, ahead of the curve in handling COVID situation by introducing best practices, technology and innovative solutions at competitive prices to meet the current and future workplace challenges.
The FM industry is a perfect example of identifying bottle necks and creating solutions in response to this crisis. Recently, there has been considerable speculation about the future of the facilities management industry. With scores of commercial real estate enterprises active across global markets, the need to manage and maintain buildings has never been a more pressing concern.
An innovation-driven approach to FM
A value driven FM operation requires a change in approach that includes the convergence of the right tools and technology that can empower facilities in achieving optimal performance.
The global FM industry is displaying considerable enthusiasm in adopting IoT, AI, Saas and connectivity-based approach to manage buildings. Companies are embracing the internet of things (IoT) and the sensors, beacons and programming that come with it. From digital twins to smart sensors, digitization is among the most popular initiatives in facilities management. A consensus is emerging for technology to lead a shift to value driven FM that delivers faster response, smarter solutions and better visibility to drive a rise in commercial value of properties. Every stakeholder in commercial real estate stands to benefit. Occupants and tenants will get unprecedented services and experiences, owners will achieve greater profits and facilities managers will emerge as key enablers.
Digitization inevitably leads to automation with integrating all the elements of the workplace and automating essential tasks and optimizing costs.
End-to-end digital services
The internet of things (IoT), robotic process automation (RPA), artificial intelligence (AI), smart building/smart workplace sensors and monitoring and digitization are dramatically changing where and how people work. These technological advances are also changing the way we develop, plan, and manage facilities.
Sensors can now detect everything from burned-out light bulbs to air turnover in a room. Employees can receive real-time information about when they need to leave the office to arrive on time for an appointment, where to park and how to report building issues through online systems that can instantly trigger a repair. Cloud-based management systems can collate building data across multiple facilities and equipment to flag and prioritise system responses and repairs. Ultimately, these new technologies can minimize the mundane tasks while focusing on strategic role within the organisation.
Operations can be further optimised during performance data to obtain information such as when and how many employees are in the office. This allows to capture and analyse data that was previously tracked manually and can help in reducing cost and generate new revenue streams.
Digitalisation for workplace productivity
An attractive workplace with flexibility is essential for employee motivation and productivity and FM is the business function to fulfil this strategic advantage. Facilities manager can advise C-Suites on the right facilities needed to create new levels of space personalisation through an app or cloud-based facilities, which allows the employees to work and collaborate efficiently.
Energy and sustainability
With smart building technology, facility managers can take energy efficiency and sustainability to new levels. High energy management systems can detect complex usage patterns and adapt energy usage precisely for specific occupants.
Compliance
One of the main aspect of the FM is compliance, which involves ensuring that everything in-and- around the building and offices adheres to government regulations and relevant security standards. Before digitalisation a facilities manager would have to personally close a work order once an inspection was complete. Now accurate verification can be confirmed with a few clicks. Through digital systems, facility managers can see vendor relationships across different properties at the same time and access real-time data that helps FM team to track expenses against budgeted ones.
At Colliers, we have introduced My Gate App for our clients, which is a visitor management system. It helps in managing a gated community security needs like entry and exit of visitors, vendors, domestic help and online delivery personnel. It also helps in managing gated community needs like clubhouse and amenities management, complaint management, accounting and billing and more.
Besides this, we are also using Asset Infinity, which is one of the leading asset tracking and management software. It facilitates with asset tracking, inventory management, preventive maintenance, complaints/ticketing/breakdown maintenance, depreciation management and resource allocation management to replace old ways with a new experience.
We also use society connect, which is a technology mapped platform for society management. It is a single software for a host of services such as accounting ,facility management, security, maintenance requests, communication and visitor management requests that enhance the living experience in societies.
We also use Secure Parking, which focuses in providing holistic end-to-end solution for traffic and parking management in malls, commercial buildings.
Post-Covid19, Colliers’ FM team have taken several precautionary steps and initiatives to prevent the spread of the coronavirus and avoid disruption in business & operations. By embracing the latest technologies, Colliers is working together with the clients to improve workplace experience while focusing on health and wellness.
Facility managers have an opportunity to be critical influencers in how the workplace of the future will look like. The human experience and digital drive are two critical key dimensions of corporate real estate that organisations must address to become agile and stay ahead of the competition. Operational excellence, continuous innovation and financial performance are other key dimensions of the future of work. By embracing new technologies and building new competencies, employees are in a better position to advice organisation on corporate real estate strategies and solutions that can improve employee experience and enable new operating models while focusing on core areas of business.
