FMJ.CO.UK CAFM FOCUS
MARCH 2022 33
doesn’t mean the extensive level of deep
cleaning employed by the NHS & Care
sectors but does raise the issue of whether
health and safety standards need to go
beyond just using the appropriate cleaning
materials and chemicals.”
As we move on from the pandemic,
Whitwham sees FM departments
across all sectors looking
for a more sustainable
and hybrid way of
working. Paperbased
checklists,
task lists, work
orders etc., are
starting to transfer
to digital options.
Digitising these
processes provides
an online audit trail
of accountability and
can help organisations
demonstrate they are
meeting required compliance
standards. And while digitising
processes provide accessible evidence
that compliance standards are met, it
also allows for organisations to meet their
sustainability goals.
Says Whitwham: “For years CAFM
soª ware has been helping the FM industry
with more eœ icient task and asset
management. However, we are also seeing
it being used as a tool to help organisations
meet sustainability objectives. Aª er all,
buildings oª en represent one of the most
significant contributors to an organisation’s
carbon footprint.
“CAFM soª ware is an incredibly large
data resource, managing tasks, assets and
everything in between. Not only can it help
organisations to evidence that compliance
standards are met, but it can also help to
eœ ectively manage maintenance tasks that
can support and improve an asset’s lifespan.
As a result, CAFM soª ware can help reduce
waste and remove the need for unnecessary
replacements. Well-maintained assets use
less energy and therefore have a big impact
on meeting sustainability goals.”
DATA POWER
Access to growing amounts of data
across numerous functions and
purposes is a game changer for
FMs says Idox’ Bryan.
“The analysis and insight from
that data can provide powerful
tools for facilities managers, enabling
them to translate that insight into
automated processes and work orders
which in turn create significant operational
savings.
“IoT sensor technology can enhance data
analysis further, as assets can communicate
their status with no human interaction
required. As this technology has rapidly
advanced, discrete wireless sensors can
now be deployed quickly with minimal
configuration and maintenance. Data points
such as temperature, space occupancy,
sanitiser fill levels, cleaning status, CO2
levels can all be collected and analysed to
inform management decisions and future
strategy – all empowering FMs with the tools
to remotely optimise working environments
to suit user needs, keep them safe and
compliant.”
The use of data extends beyond oœ ice
fully-fledged IOT integrated FM. The data
held within CAFM such as running costs
(planned, reactive, energy), back log
maintenance, occupancy levels and space
utilisation will help customers make strategic
decisions about which properties to invest
in and which should be disposed of as it is
economically advantageous to do so.
SPACE MANAGEMENT
Dave Bryan, Product Manager at Idox says
space management will continue to be
an important requirement for facilities
managers. It is this which is enabling them
to redesign work spaces to allow for social
distancing, one-way routes and breakout
areas that they may not have previously
needed.
He says: “With the tools and insight
provided by a CAFM system, any spare square
footage can be optimised or reallocated to
provide value to the business. Using the
enhanced strategic oversight of facilities
enabled by CAFM, facilities teams can benefit
from a smart response to fluctuating energy
and occupancy levels. Through the use of
sensors, it is clear which rooms are in use
and therefore require heating and lighting,
instead of wasting resources on unused
areas. With eœ icient use of space informed
by insight into usage patterns, oœ ice spaces
can be redesigned accordingly, tracking or
restricting use of indoor space, adjusting the
oœ ice configuration to accommodate hot
desking, collaborative working and group
meetings.”
For Bullard, facility booking systems have
also become integral in people and space
management, not only to prevent double
booking or unsafe levels of occupancy, but
to align cleaning schedules to desk and
space use. Traditionally, cleaning had been
an overnight task, but due to heightened
safety requirements, cleaners are now oª en
assigned aª er each use prior to the next
arrival.
“This adaptability is something that has
always been made possible by CAFM, but
it’s now much more widely used with the
changing events around the world. Having
a mobile CAFM solution in place allows
managers and engineers to eœ ortlessly
prioritise, allocate and complete jobs from
their devices on-the-go.”
SAFE AND SECURE
Rebecca Whitwham, Marketing Manager at
Asckey argues that safety and security will
also be a focus, for as well as the running of
the estate, organisations in every sector need
to rethink how they create and maintain a
safe, hygienic working environment.
She explains: “For most organisations, this
CAFM software is an incredibly
large data resource, managing tasks,
assets and everything in between. 1ot
only can it help organisations to evidence
that compliance standards are met, but
it can also help to eff ectively manage
maintenance tasks that can support
and improve an asset’s
lifespan.”