FEATURE
space available on quieter days. Adopting this approach can save energy costs on for example, heating and lighting as well as reducing maintenance costs.
Not only is optimising the physical space important, but it is just as crucial to understand the demographics and needs of the people that will be using it. With this in mind, FMs can use data insights to understand how colleagues are using workspaces and tailor technology accordingly. Workplace sentiment surveys are a great way of doing this, as we’ve found through using our own solution, Sphere, which uses detailed analysis to generate insights on employees’ experiences in the workplace and their physical, emotional, and sensory needs. Using this rich data can help FMs understand what colleagues want or need, leading to improvements in design, comfort, safety, efficiency, and sustainability, as well as colleague wellbeing and productivity. For example, there are several different technologies which automatically regulate environmental aspects like air temperature and light brightness to ensure the office is at optimal comfort levels for colleagues.
How can tech make common processes
more efficient? Technologies should be chosen depending on both the company’s strategic aims and individual colleague requirements. However, there are some common issues facing FMs which we must find solutions to as an industry.
Physical building maintenance is of course a key element of the role for many FMs. Whether it is retrofitting older estates
“Not only is optimising the physical space important, but it is just as crucial to understand the demographics and needs of the people that will be using it.”
to meet emission reduction targets or deploying engineering services to fix faults, making these processes more efficient is a focus. Here, technology and data are playing a huge role, especially through predictive maintenance. Taking this one step further, remote diagnostics, predictive analytics, AI and machine learning can also help cut downtime of vital equipment. By monitoring the status of high priority areas via IoT, potential issues are flagged ahead of any problems. This means FMs can use this technology to be far more proactive in the delivery of services.
We’ve also seen huge benefits in connecting workplaces and people. For larger organisations especially, communication and co-ordination are extremely important. We’ve found that by bringing technologies together, we can improve FM services. For instance, our workplace app, Aria brings together several solutions, so that room bookings, helpdesk, and alerts for things like incident responses are all together in one place, with a feed of useful information tailored to the individual’s user experience. Aria was designed to prevent FMs from needing multiple software programmes and instead introduce
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one platform that pops in a pocket so it can be used anywhere, any time.
So, whilst a number of different factors have to be considered for FMs implementing new tech, asking the right questions at the outset will ensure best value from any investment. With a clear strategy and a thorough understanding of their workspaces, as well as the wider industry megatrends, FMs will have the best idea of which technologies can make a real impact, ensuring tech is an effective tool, and not just a toy.
www.mitie.com Tomorrow’s FM Yearbook 2023/24
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