ROBOTICS & TECHNOLOGY


How the FM sector can innovate with minimal risk


John Norris, Head of Innovation for Samsic UK, discusses how an open approach with a clear evaluation process can keep the FM sector at the forefront of innovation post-pandemic.


Before March 2020, innovation within the facilities management sector was a slow and cumbersome beast. Progress was largely limited to variations on a theme upgrade to products, machinery and materials.


Then the COVID-19 pandemic struck and changed the landscape completely. Businesses across all sectors were suddenly forced to


reevaluate their entire approach.


For those of us trying to lead the way in facilities management there was plenty to consider. Would people be returning to workplaces, and if so, what would that look like? Were masks and hand sanitising stations here to stay? Would our entire operation have to change?


To cope with these unprecedented new challenges, we saw an explosion of activity that we’d not previously seen, both from the usual channels but also from new entrants to the sector. Difficult circumstances have led to exciting innovations that have changed the face of facilities management for the better.


We’ve seen major developments in internet of things (IoT) sensors and connected workspaces, and the large- scale introduction of cobotics – collaborative robots designed to work closely and safely alongside humans to improve efficiency.


Restrooms equipped with footfall and proximity technology, for example, utilise data to enable on-demand cleaning. Janitorial staff are then freed up to use their skills and resources on other duties, whilst maintaining a pristine workspace for customers regardless of use and time.


Using cobots such as the ICE Phantas, which provides automated hard and soft floor cleaning, allows cleaning staff to concentrate on more critical activities, with the added benefit of helping relieve pressures on staffing.


Sustainability has sprung to the forefront of people’s minds, leading to demand for new cleaning products and technologies with the environment at their heart. Many facilities management companies are reviewing their systems, processes and supply chains to minimise their carbon footprint, and Samsic is no different.


Chemical-free cleaning systems, cleaning products using natural resources and the use of probiotics – beneficial bacteria and yeasts – are now replacing traditional


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chemical cleaning. Products are becoming more concentrated, helping to reduce plastic and cardboard waste as well as CO2


emissions.


Artificial intelligence (AI) is now a major global talking point. AI technology is fast becoming a staple within facilities management and is increasing in its capability exponentially. AI is being used to predict and manage daily operational operations, and there’s significant potential across resource planning, building management systems, recruitment and selection.


The industry has also had to innovate to deal with new flexible and hybrid working patterns, both in terms of people’s locations and working hours. Wellbeing and social mobility have become big drivers of change, and we’re seeing more demand for smart buildings with efficiencies tied to increased use of data.


It’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of all this change, with shiny new products and advanced software systems making headlines, however it’s also important to ensure that any innovation is not only suitable for the needs of the provider, but also for the needs of the client and their people. Changes need to be tested and measured to ensure that whatever is introduced is achieving the right result for all parties.


At Samsic, our approach is one of ‘open innovation’. We work both internally with our own teams and externally with


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