Digitaliación en Facility Management Misión imposible

Digitalization in Facility Management: Mission Impossible

The term “digitalization” is often mentioned, but we must endow it with practicality and, above all, be able to apply it to the real needs of every role.

Confinement at an international level has brought about changes in the behaviour of people and business activity, but there are not only drawbacks: essentially, it has revolutionized the use of technology. According to different sources, we have advanced digitalization processes by approximately 5 to 10 years. We will have to wait and see how digitalization translates into the Facility Management discipline, which seems like mission impossible, depending on who you ask.

The 3 layers of digitalization in FM

In order to speak about digitalization in FM, we must understand the previous degree of digitalization, the buildings where it operates and, finally, the Facility Management department. Once we are acquainted with each individually, we must establish the type of relationship that exists and lay out a common strategy. There can be no free spirits, they are all mutually dependent.

In order to measure the degree of digitalization of the company, which we must never forget is the actual client of FM, we must see how the company works and their main processes. This is a complex evaluation exercise, which we will summarize in two key points: paper and data. The more documentation that is handled physically and the less centralized and accessible all necessary information is, all the more complicated it will be. It sounds simple, but it’s extremely effective. Regarding buildings, depending on when they were built, they will have systems with integrated technology, which generate a certain amount of data. Digitalization means not only having that data “handy” but using the information that is being generated. In order to do this, we must decide what is registered, classified and filtered into data that we can interpret and use to guide our decisions. Besides the buildings’ own systems, there are others that depend on the capacity and activity of the company. Thus, there are indoor positioning systems or devices of biometrical detection.

The department of FM will be a mix and match of the former: using physical paper and handling digital data, always depending on the activity under demand. In this sense, we can speak of real time, or automatic updates, according to various factors. That is how blockchain or decision-making artificial intelligence systems where adopted. We could speak of a fourth layer of digitalization related to service providers. It will depend on the provisioning model adopted, and on the relationship with the internal or external business partner, which is not always stable, and that is why we include it in the outer, more general layer.

Where is Digital Transformation?

Almost every single business has a webpage, nowadays, which was not the case 15 years ago. However, the growing trend is that new businesses grant it very little attention and opt for social network spaces or blogs, instead of the typical webpage. And the same principle applies to mail. Who does not have an e-mail address nowadays? However, for years it has been deemed to not be the most productive option, and has been substituted by systems of instant messaging, which even allow for attachments, or by the messaging platforms of project management tools, which are now digital. We must constantly re-evaluate whether what we have in place is optimal: when changes come by imposition, it is already too late.

We must be aware of trends and know what is more convenient at any single moment. Being outdated has an impact on productivity, performance and, consequently, on the bottom line generated.

In only 4 minutes, you will get familiarized with the technologies that will change Facility Management digitalization, while forming an opinion on the degree of maturity of your position and country. Collaborate with the project FMgoesDIGI, with European funding, and anticipate the future of our profession. Results will be published openly in the form of national and regional reports.

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Participate in the Observatorio FM

You can choose between these 3 options to participate:





How to participate?

Collaborating with the Observatorio FM is a personal and voluntary decision, and there is no contractual obligation or economic retribution for it.

Any interested person can apply to participate as a leader of a new project, or apply as a collaborator in an existing one.

A technical committee will evaluate the subject matter of the proposed projects and the applications of the participants, deciding which ones are carried out and by whom.

Each person decides how much they want to dedicate, depending on their availability or type of project. The aim is for it to be an altruistic activity and not an additional workload.

What does it consist of?

To promote and publish studies that help professionals in the sector and to help others understand our profession and discipline.

The results and deliverables are shared openly, always acknowledging the contributions of all authors and contributors.

The Observatorio FM’s activity will respect the objectivity, ethics, rigour and good practices that govern our Research area.

Contributors have access to the best collaborative tools, sectoral information and contacts, as well as the assistance of expert consultants and researchers at international level.

Research

FM Observatory

FM Observatory is a platform which develops and disseminates Facility Management information. It’s accessible to all those who’d genuinely like to participate. Ethical use and objectivity are essential, and all results must be shared. You decide how long you devote to it and what you want to achieve.

You can participate as:

We will provide:

All contributions will be given credit in completed projects.

Research

Projects

We are part of the European research group and we work in international teams to develop different types of initiatives:

We also work for service providers who require support with decisions linked to:

Research

Standardisation

As accredited experts in the drafting processes of European and International standards on Asset and Facility Management, we are the perfect partner to assist you with:

FMHOUSE is the only Spanish-speaking consulting firm that participates in these processes.

Research

Publications

At FMHOUSE we think that progress made in Facility Management should be shared, so we strive to produce and publish the following material:

The “FM Observatory” is open, should you like to contribute with a publication.

Consultancy

Workplace

Our view of spaces or workplaces from a Facility Management perspective leads to a better understanding of such a need as a service, as it is essential to apply the same logic and methodology.

Generally we offer:

We apply our knowledge and experience to offices, learning spaces, shopping centres and the industrial environment.

Consultancy

Benchmarking

In order to make the right decisions, clear accurate market data as well as facts about the organisation itself is essential. In the Facility Management environment, this is even more critical due to the impact it has on business.

Examples of benchmarks:

These services are requested mainly by end users, but also by service providers.

Consultancy

Customer Experience

Facility Management’s overarching goal is customer satisfaction, whether they are internal or external. Understanding their feelings and needs is the key to offering a good service.

Our support is based on:

We strive to understand and get to know our clients’ customers, in all sectors and types of businesses.

Consultancy

Digital Transformation

The Facility Management world is experiencing a major transition to digital environments. We help our clients understand how it impacts them and assist them throughout the change.

Our areas of support are:

We operate as independent advisers, not as brand vendors.

We advise end-users and service providers.

Consultancy

Service Design

All kinds of companies need to define or improve the way in which it structures supporting activities provided by Facility Management.

Our main products are:

Our proposals are structured according to individual requirements.

We help end customers and also service providers.

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