Digesting the data

PRESENTATION IS KEY

With all this information at our fingertips, it’s important to remember that not everyone accessing it is a data scientist. Rather than simply collecting data, it needs to be easily digestible. We’ve integrated this into our ‘Mozaic’ MI Platform, which provides detailed workplace insight reports using real-time data at the click of a few buttons. With this information to hand, FMs can easily access the latest status for the entire property portfolio. Having surveyed our colleagues and customers using the system, we learnt that actually, providing an initial high-level overview and then having the ability to drill down into the more granular detail is the most effective way for them to access the insights they need.

The collection, processing and presentation of data all need to come together, to make sure that the insights provided bring actual value to colleagues both in the physical and digital workplace.

ALWAYS IN BETA MODE

Our most effective customers think of their buildings, workspaces, and technology solutions holistically – constantly evolving alongside the organisation. Though office workers were all thrust into a digital workplace and hybrid working with the onset of the pandemic, it is still a relatively new concept. Because it’s in its infancy, the tools and solutions that make up digital working are also new, with plenty of room for further optimisation. Taking a science-led approach, using data and analytics to guide this strategy is key to directing these improvements.

Whether it’s workplace apps that gives users a more seamless experience with the help of AI technology; using MI and data to give real-time analysis that can drive real-time cost efficiencies across a physical estate; connecting the building management system and incorporating 5G technology to connect it to an oT platform to provide live state on everything. By constantly reviewing the tech we have in place, analysing data (in real-time) to understand how it can be improved, and trialling new solutions, facilities managers can bring real value to businesses and their workforce.

When first rolling out any new tech, there will always be teething problems. For example, for both Aria (our workplace app) and Mozaic (our MI Platform), we focused on securing as much feedback as possible from colleagues and customers using these tools, working hard to address any common issues to make them the best they can be. By doing this, we made improvements to the user interface, the notification centres, the speed and navigation of the systems and more. But we were only able to do this by collecting data and focusing on the end users, to ensure that the upgrades to our tech gave our colleagues a frictionless experience. This dialogue is so vital and we work hard to ensure there is always a forum for users to share comments on how our tech solutions can be improved.

CONNECTING THE DOTS

As with our personal lives, there are countless apps that we can use to make our working lives much easier – be that enabling communication, logging tasks, highlighting broken equipment or even to order a cuppa from the coffee shop. However, it’s common for these apps to be unconnected, all requiring their own log-ins and navigation – making learning to use them all difficult for existing colleagues and confusing for new starters. People will only use tech if it genuinely makes their lives easier – by combining all these workplace needs into one ‘connected workspace’ and encouraging more colleagues to use it, we can support the drive to a digital FM service.

RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW

As a facilities management company ourselves, we can’t forget our own thousands of colleagues working up and down the country in the field – be that providing maintenance to a manufacturing site, climbing a telephone mast to complete essential works, or cleaning in a hospital. All of these colleagues will still access our workplaces, but in the digital sense. And for a business like ours, the ability to access it anytime, anywhere is the biggest benefit of the digitisation of our working lives. That’s why we’ve ensured all our workplace apps are also available on mobile, so our colleagues and customers can access the data and insights they need, whether at the office, home, or in the field.

We all know that tech is the future of every industry, and facilities management is no exception. Ensuring people are at the heart of this investment will be vital to ensuring that tech is not just adopted, but embraced by all. In the FM sector, this is our mission. The question is, do you choose to accept it?

(i) www.mitie.com/https-discover-mitie-com-digital-transformation/