If there’s one field that’s evolving rapidly but quietly, it’s Facility Management (FM).
However, new technologies, training developments and general professionalism are extraordinary assets that enable us to meet ever more numerous and ambitious challenges, whether in terms of customer and user requirements, legal constraints or certification programs in all fields.
As the saying goes, “there’s no such thing as a train that arrives on time”. In this respect, the FM professions are extraordinary, but also frustrating: thousands of operations are carried out day after day without a hitch, and without the users even noticing the ins and outs; on the other hand, at the slightest breakdown or error, FM is singled out for criticism. Perhaps that’s the price of fame…
On a more serious note, over the last 10-15 years, the world of FM has become much more sophisticated and professional in terms of quality and traceability, but it has also become much more complex with the introduction of a whole range of technologies, from IT programs such as BIS, BIM, CMMS, etc., to “intelligent” detectors and sensors, enabling us to achieve unprecedented levels of service quality.
The great difficulty lies in finding the right level of technicality and information that is necessary or useful to the company. If we exaggerate a little, today it’s possible to anticipate, trace, correct and measure just about anything and everything in a building or at user level. The question is “to do what?
It’s important to be able to differentiate the “showcase” effect from the useful and/or necessary service required for the proper operation of a site and its users. Some tools, while very well suited to highly technical and demanding spaces, are not at all suitable for most medium-sized offices, technical rooms, etc. It is therefore essential to clearly define the purpose of each tool.
So, it’s vital to know exactly what you need, and if necessary to call on “neutral” specialists who can judge whether an application, tool or process will bring real added value to the company.
For example, you need to be able to make an informed decision as to whether a high-performance operational BIM or CMMS (computer-aided maintenance management system), which requires specialized training for an entire team, is more advantageous than a more traditional solution offering “easy-to-manage” information.
There are no right or wrong answers. You simply must weigh up the cost of acquiring the tools, their maintenance, the training and time required, against the benefits you can derive from such solutions. In certain cases, such as sustainability certifications, the use of “automatic” technologies becomes a necessity, as the search for “a posteriori” information can become complicated without the tools…
As you can see, FM has undergone its own revolution, and continues to do so at the cost of considerable human effort and technological investment, but it has gained in maturity, respectability and, above all, is becoming a contributor to the company’s business.
The process is not yet complete, but thanks to miniaturization, automation, the many tools on the market and the training of young teams, FM is now considered a pillar of business, and richly deserved.
Enjoy your reading and see you soon.