Integrated Facilities Management (IFM) has evolved significantly over the last decade and transformed itself into a stable, lean and flexible model catering to the changing client requirements. Today IFM plays an integral role in ensuring long term sustainability of operations and optimising the value of the asset.
Apart from offering the advantages of regularly outsourced activities, IFM addresses the need of the hour by recommending predictive measures to avert any impending crisis. Today with the advancement in technology front IFM has expanded its basket of services and offers critical solutions like with waste management, sanitation, water, air quality control and employee retention activities.
Outsourcing IFM services to expert firms allows clients to focus on their core business services without compromising on the social responsibility or the service quality. Moreover, efficient IFM services play an important role in extending the lifespan of the real estate asset. IFM offers modern measures like Thermography test, asset longevity test, transformer performance check etc. which ensure unhindered business continuity and avert impending crisis. Going beyond the obvious domain, IFM is proving to be advantageous for companies as it brings in the following critical solutions which are integral to CRE operations:
Sustainable waste management
In urban centres, waste management is a critical issue and it is a major concern for most of the companies. With environmental sustainability becoming a core CRE objective, occupiers are looking for efficient and sustainable waste management solutions. Apart from the food and hard waste, sanitation waste is a major challenge for many and IFM provides an efficient solution for the same. However, in many developing nations, companies are still hesitant to invest in sanitation management as it requires high capex. But it could get a lot more focus, if Government allows firms to include it in their planned Corporate Social Responsibility activities.
Efficient water conservation
Water is now precious more than ever as there is an increased level of awareness about water scarcity across the globe. Facilities management understands the corporate responsibility towards water conservation and the modern FM offers several measures that can reduce water wastage and conserve water.
Enhancing employee wellness
With corporates focusing on employee wellness as a core objective, IFM services have evolved to offer strategies and techniques that ensure employee wellness activities on behalf of the firms. Apart from looking at physical wellness, safety and security, IFM is playing an important role in rolling out initiatives that foster collaboration, teamwork and increases emotional wellbeing. With advanced robotics and artificial intelligence IFM is also offering value added services to their clients with internal air quality checks (IAQ) without any added cost and recommending solutions to maintain overall workspace hygiene. Companies are also outsourcing their 24 -hour customer support system especially out -of- hour support with the help of IFM.
In India, IFM industry has thus witnessed an annual growth rate of almost 12% driven by a sharp focus on the client requirements and continuous attempt for excellence. From the maintenance services, IFM has evolved into an essential services line that help balancing commitment to operational sustainability and
social responsibility.
