NEWS & ANALYSIS FMJ.CO.UK
FACILITIES SHOW CONNECT 2021
FACILITIES SHOW CONNECT
In lieu of the live Facilities Show, there were opportunities to hear from some of the leading vendors
and experts in FM at Facilities Show Connect (8 -10 June)
This immersive digital
experience brought the
Facilities Management Community
together online with a range of
product demonstrations, insightful
webinars and opportunities to
network. The week featured a series
of tech talks from FM suppliers;
including ACCO, Denis Rawlins,
Zeelo, Planon, SWG, Elogbooks,
FSI @Yourservice, CADM and
Dutchview.
The programme’s online
demonstrations included the
opportunity to put questions to the
vendors following their presentations.
These sessions showcased how digital
solutions can allow FMs to monitor
and control assets more easily and use
the data gathered to improve business
processes that result in cost savings
based on real time facts and figures.
Discussions revolved around the
ways COVID has accelerated the tech
process, as people adapt to new ways
of working. For instance, we heard
about the use of smart solutions such
as mobile apps that allows users to
scan QR codes to get straight to the
information they require. This can
help FMs manage increasingly agile
10 JULY 2021
workplace environments; from visitor
and access management in buildings
to supporting workers based at home.
The demos also highlighted
the advantages of using smart
technologies which o er FMs the ability
to collect, store, analyse and distribute
vast amounts of data. For FMs going
forward, this kind of technology means
they can not only monitor and control
various processes but it can help them
improve business processes to make
cost savings based on real time facts
and figures.
WEBINAR PROGRAMME
All of these advantages were explored
in more depth in the series of panel
discussions that took place during the
week. These comprised insights into
‘The Future of the Workplace’, “How
Digital FM can Accelerate your Cost
Savings, Compliance and Engagement
Strategies’, and the ‘Benefits of Data
Driven Decision Making’.
The Future of the Workplace – A
Global Perspective, focused on
research by MRI SoŽ ware in partnership
with CoreNet Global. The research
found that tenants and landlords were
considering or implementing physical
changes in the o ice to address social
distancing and hygiene concerns and
both groups intended to increase their
usage of technology to help them
manage the changes.
According to Andy Birch of MRI Real
Estate SoŽ ware, what this suggests for
facilities managers is that what was
oŽ en seen as reactive position prior to
COVID is now a key strategic role.
“The challenge now for FMs is to
work out what is available in terms
of work spaces and make decisions
on how to get people to return to the
o ice. They’ve a wide remit around
the preparation of workplaces, from
the access to the o ice, i.e. entry and
exits, to issues such as staggering the
working day.”
The survey also revealed that
landlords do not expect remote work
to impact their business. This optimism
extends to landlords expecting tenants
back in the o ice
sooner than tenants
are reporting.
“We talk about return
to work, said Nicholas
Franks of MRI Real
Estate SoŽ ware, “but
what we’re seeing is
that businesses are
open but they aren’t
full. This is why over
the past year workplace
return solutions have been a focal
point for many organisations and why
MRI has been working to provide a
knowledge base on the future of the
workplace.”
During the session on digital FM,
Paul Bullard of FSI noted that when we
look at the latest tech it’s about taking
the data it provides and applying that
alongside ‘people’ factors. When we
consider the use of sensors he said,
we must be careful not to miss the
most important sensor - the person
who works in the building. Ultimately
it is occupants who keep FM informed
on what they like or don’t like, and
areas that may be problematic. He
concluded: “It’s about taking that data
and overlaying that with HR factors, to
produce some real outcomes.”
This view was echoed by Alan
Rose of CadM who advised that the
o ice needs to be repurposed as a
destination – where people visit to
do something specific. One of the
important things to consider when
repurposing the workplace, he said will
be adaptability, “and it is technology
that will help us understand whether
we’ve got the new look o ice right.”
During the FMJ hosted session,
Data Driven Decision Making, which
concentrated on how the data gathered
was used, Hazel Bedson, Strategy
Director of Service Works Group o ered
some valuable advice on getting buy-in
from the senior management team.
“This includes informing them
of the benefits, both operationally
and financially which means build
a business case and ideally include
a return on investment projection.
‘Ask, you’re making this investment
of X amount now but what will be the
savings in five or 10 years?’ A good
vendor will work with you to help make
that business case.”
Mark Gri iths, Founder & MD of
WMA Conultancy Sevices Ltd warned
that it’s important to consider that
organisations will use data in di erent
ways and the key is to determine
what works for you and not to be
overwhelmed with the choices on
hand.
And finally, o ering a valuable
snapshot of a real user experience,
Edward Payne Chief Engineer, Kettering
Hospital described how a series of
basic soŽ ware systems were upgraded
into one seamless data-based solution
which means that everyone utilising
the system has access to real time data.
CONNECT 2021
Facilities Show Connect was part of
a series of online events co-located
with IFSEC International, FIREX, Safety
& Health Expo, Intelligent Building
Europe and Workplace Wellbeing
Show that combined, o er delegates
the chance to learn from over 70
educational sessions, hear from over
100 speakers, and network with over
300 leading industry suppliers.
All of the sessions will be available
online until the end of July at: www.
facilitiesshow.com/en/connect-2021/
what-is-connect-2021.html
/what-is-connect-2021.html
