CAFM & IT
In the 21st century, it’s hard to ignore the possibilities that technology offers the world of FM. Facilities management providers are constantly striving to offer the best possible service to clients, so it’s unsurprising that a large number of us are looking to technology to allow us to enhance our service provision.
Clients and facilities management professionals access much of their information and manage their workloads remotely on their smartphones and tablets while on the move – often travelling between different sites around the country. It’s only logical that creating an app specifically for the needs of Facilities Managers will be highly beneficial.
There are already a large number of time management, scheduling and organiser apps on the market. However, developing technology specifically tailored to the needs of the sector is crucial to capitalise on all benefits.
FUTURE OF FM A Facilities Manager at a major
shopping centre or manufacturing site has a wide variety of tasks; ranging from staff management to dealing with any incidents and ensuring all services are operating correctly. It’s increasingly vital that facilities management providers are able to offer a joined up service to clients; with staff at FM companies and at partner sites across the country able to communicate instantly; allowing clients to easily schedule preventative maintenance, quickly highlight issues that require reactive maintenance and streamline all their employee activities.
A seamless experience for clients is significantly increased if they can manage all these things simply and quickly from their tablet or smartphone while they are on the go. At Oltec FM we’ve developed an app that can instantly be sent to any clients’ mobile device and acts as a communications forum, an information hub, a reporting aid and an on-site tracker – everything needed all in one place.
www.tomorrowsfm.com
OBVIOUS BENEFITS Security is a sector that clearly
demonstrates the benefits of app technology in facilities management. Security operatives often work alone, or at times when a premises is closed or has minimal staffing. They’re required to cover large areas of a site and responsible for ensuring the correct procedures are followed at all times but more often than not managers are not based at the same site or do not work the same hours.
By using an app, facilities management providers can offer clients an easy-to-use patrol monitoring system that connects managers and security operatives wherever they are.
The Oltec FM scanning and patrol system, ‘iCom’ allows Facilities Managers and Regional Managers to monitor security operatives on sites across the UK - linking up a security operatives’ smartphone using GPS tracking with geotags placed remotely around a client’s site. The app is only active when an officer is on-site and has logged in at the start of their shift.
It allows for ad-hoc scanning, so a security operative can scan a geotag at any time as they pass predefined patrols, so a client or manager can set a patrol in advance and know that a guard has completed it, as they’ve scanned in at every required geotag.
Apps allow managers and clients to predefine questions that guards have to answer during their shifts – i.e. is a door obstructed? Has a car park been closed? Using app technology to engage with security operatives during their shifts allows direct management from remote locations.
App technology is designed to be used on the go and is ideal for locations that require a high level of customer service, for example shopping centres, railway stations and museums. Security operatives in these destinations are highly visible and can often be the first port of call for customers with queries, including
people asking for directions to a particular shop or for train times. In an ideal world a security operative can double up and provide this information to a customer – something that is made much easier with an app that allows access to all this at the touch of a button. The Oltec FM app can have nine functions that are bespoke to each individual client, so Facilities Manager at a shopping centre can request a centre map be part of the app, while at a railway station, live train times can be accessed via the app.
COMPLETE CONTROL Smartphones and tablets have the
potential to allow Facilities Managers to do everything they can do using their computer and phone at the touch of a button whilst they are on the go. Having a central portal through which to manage all services can save significant time and money, allowing them to monitor supplier costs, allocate roles and most importantly ensure maximum efficiency.
In fact, good facilities management providers who see the benefits of app technology are investing in smartphones and tablets for all their staff so that they can access the technology 24/7 regardless of which partner site they’re working at.
Oltec FM, founded in 1974, provides integrated building and facilities management services across the UK. Customers include major partners in both the public and private sector, such as large retail and leisure destinations, high profile commercial buildings and sensitive industrial and manufacturing sites.
The business has launched two bespoke apps, designed in-house, that offer significant benefits to clients. The ‘yoo’ app allows clients to manage all their facilities management services in one portal and their in-house HR app enables Oltec FM to easily and efficiently manage their 1,000 strong workforce.
www.oltecgroup.com TOMORROW’S FM | 29
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