FEATURE SURVEY
CHANGING LANDSCAPE
Research by Idox, a leading provider of CAFM software, into how COVID-19 has impacted FMs
working in the UK and across the world illustrates a shift in priorities for the profession
Idox questioned FM professionals across
a diverse range of industry sectors about
their views, priorities and experiences. Survey
responses included those working in energy,
leisure, health and social care, retail, education,
housing, financial services, local government and
media.
While more than 90 per cent of respondents’
organisations operate in the UK, there is also
representation in Western Europe (26 per cent) and
North America (21 per cent), with further operations
in the Middle East, Central and Eastern Europe, South
America and Africa.
The sizes of organisations in the survey were
equally diverse, ranging from 1-49 employees (18
per cent) to 5,000+ employees (26 per cent), while
over a third (36 per cent) have between 50-999
employees. As for FM teams themselves, the survey
shows around half of respondents work in teams of
one-ten people, while 21 per cent have more than 51
FM colleagues.
Managing property portfolios is still a
substantial part of the job, with around 23
per cent of respondents managing between
100-500 thousand sq. „ . of space, while 20
per cent manage up to 20,000 sq. „ . and a
smaller number (eight per cent) manage
more than five million sq. „ . of space.
BUDGETARY CONSTRAINTS AND A
REDEFINED WORKPLACE
Budget constraints was the number one
concern among respondents (62 per cent),
with over half of respondents also concerned
about changes in work patterns, and a further
third about reduced demand for space. Asked to
select the current trends that could have the greatest
impact on FM within their organisations, most
respondents chose “changes in frequency/density
of o’ ice use” (25 per cent), followed by “increased
use of smart and touchless technology to manage
physical spaces” (22 per cent) and “improving the
workplace experience and company culture” (22 per
cent). Reduced budgets for o’ ices (19 per cent) and
use of technology to manage property (17 per cent)
are also expected to impact FM professionals in the
coming year. However, only four per cent of facilities
managers selected the use of robots and automation
as something likely to have the greatest impact on
FM in their organisation in the next 12 months.
CHANGING PRIORITIES
Asked to select which of their roles are most helpful
in delivering their organisations’ strategic goals,
almost 75 per cent of respondents chose “increasing
employee satisfaction and wellbeing” – A growing
38 OCTOBER 2021
emphasis on meeting sustainability targets is also
reflected in the survey results, with respondents
placing “improving the energy e’ iciency of
buildings” (72 per cent), “reducing waste and
promoting recycling” (70 per cent) and “supporting
social value strategies” (56 per cent) high on their list
of strategically important responsibilities.
From a selection of nine priority areas, 64 per cent
of respondents chose “flexible working”, followed by
“supporting sustainability” (61 per cent) and “asset
tracking and management” (46 per cent). However,
many are conscious of the need to prioritise
workplace and relocation management (39 per
cent), facilities management so„ ware (39 per cent)
and real-time occupancy monitoring and building
controls (37 per cent).
THE TECHNOLOGY IMPERATIVE
The majority of respondents put three issues at the
top: driving e’ iciency (68 per cent); digital innovation
(43 per cent); and ensuring safety (40 per cent). Other
issues also scoring highly included saving money (39
per cent), working more collaboratively (34 per cent)
and being able to adapt faster (20 per cent).
In addition, some respondents identified further
matters for consideration, including improved
accessibility and management, the quality,
functionality and interconnectivity of FM so„ ware,
connecting a dispersed workforce, and financial
constraints. Mobile working and cloud computing
o’ er facilities managers greater flexibility and
response speeds, and can substantially reduce
operating costs. Mobile working is regarded as
either essential or a high priority by 68 per cent
of respondents, while cloud-based solutions are
regarded as essential or a high priority by 60 per
cent.
But the most important technology issue for
respondents is security, with almost 80 per cent of
respondents ranking it as essential or a high priority.
Almost half of the survey respondents ranked the
integration of CAFM technology with Internet of
Things (IoT) assets as essential or high priorities. It’s
becoming clear to FM professionals that integrating
CAFM and IoT applications can help to connect all
the sectors of a business, simultaneously monitor
multiple operations and harness new insights from
the data provided by sensors.
At the other end of the scale, FM professionals
seem to regard automation as one of the least
important considerations. Fewer than a third of
respondents identified automation as either an
essential or a high priority. This is significant, as
automated facilities management has enormous
potential for improving facilities maintenance and
supporting productivity.
EXISTING SOFTWARE SYSTEMS
A large number (62 per cent) are still using
spreadsheets to manage their facilities,
although this may be alongside other
systems. Spreadsheets are helpful for
managing a relatively low number of tasks,
but as the FM portfolio grows, the need to
coordinate multiple issues require a more
sophisticated solution.
The survey found that over half of
respondents (53 per cent) are using CAFM
so„ ware.
In addition, 30 per cent are using asset
management so„ ware, while a small number of
respondents have installed other systems, such as
building information management (BIM) systems,
in-house platforms, space booking systems, and
Microso„ SharePoint.
Maintenance management (81 per cent), planned
preventative maintenance (73 per cent) and
reporting (60 per cent) are the most commonly used
CAFM applications, with work planning and mobile
workforce management solutions also supporting
FM operations.
The results suggest existing CAFM so„ ware has
risen to the challenges of the past year, as 55 per
cent of respondents haven’t changed the way they
use this so„ ware in the past 12 months, and over
60 per cent have some level of confidence that their
current FM so„ ware will meet present and future
organisational needs.
Visit www.idoxgroup.com/facilities-managementtechnology
survey/ to read the full whitepaper.
/
