Information technology has transformed facility management in the last few decades. In today’s fast-paced world, businesses need automated facility management for a sustainable future. This guide will describe the significance of IT in facility management.
What Is Facilities Management IT?
Facilities management IT is the implementation of IT in an organization’s everyday operations. Information technology has enabled adequate communication across the departments of an organization. Over the last few decades, several IT solutions for facility management have emerged. Such as facility management software and mobile applications.
Functions of Facility Management
Facilities management has several functions in business operations. Two types of facility management have two different functions such as,
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Hard Facility Management
Hard facility management involves the management of physical buildings and critical utility systems. For example, we may consider systems like lighting, electrical, or fire safety. Other operations, such as asset management and waste management, are also featured in this function. Hard facility management ensures the implementation of laws and regulations following building codes.
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Soft Facility Management
A soft facility management system focuses on making a productive working environment. It focuses on services like landscaping or interior decorating. Soft facility management helps an organization decide on areas for specific purposes. Office space planning or choosing retail locations are good examples of soft facility management.
How Is a Facilities Management Department Structured?
The facility management department may have three types of structures in general. In the section below, we have discussed these structures,
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Functional Structure
The functional structure is suitable for larger organizations. Especially the organizations with diversified and composite facilities. In a functional structure, specific teams are assigned for specific facility functions. For example, a team of electrical experts would be assigned for electrical work. This enables concentrated focus with specialized skill sets in a specific area.
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Integrated Structure
Integrated structure consolidates all facility management operations under a single management team. Eventually, creating a single reporting point. This management structure allows a facility to have a thoroughgoing view of teams, tasks, and maintenance. It optimizes the operating costs for different areas.
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Matrix Structure
The matrix structure suits larger organizations with multiple facilities across different locations. In this structure, different facility management teams are assigned to different facilities. There may be a central team providing support services to teams assigned to different contracts or business units.
The Importance of Facilities Management
Facility management ensures the proper functionality of an organization’s operations. The facility contributes to important aspects of an organization. In the section below, we have described the importance of FM in detail,
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Productivity
The productivity of an organization’s employees largely depends on how they are managed. Effective facility management ensures productivity by making a place ideal for working. It takes initiative, ranging from general cleaning to regular maintenance.
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Comfort and Safety
Hard facility management manages complex systems such as lighting, HVAC, and electrical systems. It ensures that workers can work comfortably with peace of mind. With functional fire safety systems and trained evacuation teams it enhances safety in a facility.
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Profitability
Facility management evaluates the operational expenses of an organization. With evaluated data, finance professionals lead the organization for maximum profitability.
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Scalability
As a business grows, it expands its assets. However, before any acquisition, the FM team evaluates the scaling plan, ensuring that it aligns with the goal behind scaling. It supervises the relocations or reduces the negative impacts. In any acquisition, you must ensure proper utility and a safe work environment. Facility managers take the lead in such scenarios and work from the front to keep the operations smoothly going in a new unit of an organization.
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Sustainability
A business’s sustainability largely depends on its profitability. No business will be sustained for a long time with financial setbacks. However, sustainability doesn’t depend only on profits. It depends on the ideal workplace, business scalability, and impactful investment plans. Facility management focuses on each of these as its core parts. All the initial steps taken to achieve these results in a sustainable foundation for a business.
Role of IT in Facilities Management
The significance of information technology in facilities management cannot be overemphasized. In today’s superfast business environment, technology is a crucial enabler. IT has completely transformed facility management with automation of business operations.
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Efficiency and Productivity
Technology has automated production processes and reduced manual efforts. Automated task allocation increases hourly production rates and efficiency. Analysis of real-time output data helps to find out bottle-necks in the production process. Both of these together can increase the overall efficiency of an organization. In addition, automated maintenance management systems ensure timely maintenance of equipment.
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Data-Driven Decision Making
Automated machines and systems interconnects with tracking devices and sensors. This sensor can provide real-time data at any given time. With the help of the data facility managers can make correct decisions in any situation.
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Predictive Maintenance
With accumulated data from an automated system, facility managers can predict a machine failure. Take a potato chip-making facility, for instance. Each time the room temperature crossed 32°C the hygrometer suggested the wrong humidity. An automated temperature control unit can provide updates on the temperature. This will help the facility manager prevent malfunctions in the hygrometer.
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Energy Efficiency and Sustainability
Modern building technologies and management systems reduce energy consumption notably. It takes initials such as reducing carbon emissions and creating sustainable energy solutions. Effective use of energy decreases the impacts on nature and promotes sustainability.
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Occupant Comfort and Experience
Information technology enables smart, human-friendly working environments. Automated weather control and smart detecting technology ensure the best environment for occupants. These automations improve the experience of visitors. It saves energy by detecting the absence of occupants and controlling the room temperature.
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Remote Monitoring and Management
Remote facility management software has enabled remote monitoring and management of distant facilities. Remote facilities managers have access to real-time data to respond to any emergency from their workplace. It ensures the continuity of remote business operations.
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Compliance and Safety
Imagine the days when, during fire accidents, a person would rush to the alarm bell. Then, he would ring it with all his powers to save the occupants from fire accidents. In today’s date, facilities have automated fire alarm systems. As soon as a smoke detector senses any danger, the central alarm system informs the employees at once. IT has converted facilities across the world by promoting 100% compliance in workplaces.
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Space Utilization Optimization
Information technology has developed paperless management systems. With the use of cloud computing, organizations have saved space for gigantic servers. Internet has given access to online directories replacing the thick tome directory.
Conclusion
It’s evident that in today’s superfast business environment, facility management services are crucial for amplified productivity. Implementation of IT makes facility management even more effective and realistic.
Crown Computers offers San Diego businesses comprehensive IT support and services. Call us today at (858) 483-8770 to schedule an IT facility management consultation.