Technology Trends in Facilities Management

Facilities management ensures that every detail surrounding the comfort, functionality, safety, and efficiency of a building works harmoniously together and technology works to tie all these aspects together.

Staying up to date with the latest FM technologies allows companies to progress. The Internet of Things, robot automation, and building information modelling are only a few of the main trends that are disrupting facilities management for the better. The rise of such developed technologies has shaped this industry by reducing costs, improving sustainability, and boosting productivity.

Here, we will take a look at some of the most powerful and popular trends in facilities management as well as explore their capabilities.

The Internet of Things (IoT)

This new technology has the capacity to make everything “smart” by connecting items to the internet. In terms of facilities management, this would mostly concern lighting, temperature, and energy usage. All of these have a direct impact on improving energy efficiency.

The lighting sensors ensure that no lights are on when there is no one in the room, which is a common occurrence when people use a normal switch. The temperature and humidity sensors adjust automatically according to environmental changes. They ensure that the room temperature is always comfortable for the people inside, without them having to control the thermostat.

The Internet of things is also a powerful tool for collecting data. It can tell what places are not being used and the overall energy usage. The vibration detection sensors can be a valuable asset when it comes to collecting data. IoT is a suitable approach for organisations that want to reduce energy costs. It also positively impacts the employees’ health and safety as well as the upkeep of the facility.

Building Information Modelling (BIM)

While some technologies can be implemented at any given time, BIM is the foundation of planning and building design. This is a digital tool that enables contractors, architects, construction workers, and other facility teams to view a 3D model of the building, including all the assets within it. This process is extremely data-rich, it creates fast sharing of information and it provides an in-depth visualisation of the plan.

The BIM design is increasingly used due to the ease of planning, as 3D schemes manage to capture information in a much clearer way for every party involved in the construction process. Energy efficiency is also improved, as BIM’s data collects information from the larger ecosystem. Due to its perfectly maintained data, all records are up to date which reduces time spent searching for information when it comes to access, organisation, or even building remodelling.

Biometric technology

Many would agree with the common saying “safety first”. When it comes to this, biometric technologies go above and beyond to bring all the safety and security features of a building to a new level. Authentication has never been easier, simply by scanning a finger, a palm, or the face, you can get instant access into a room.

These security-systems no longer feel like science-fiction. Relying on the identity of each individual through measures such as voice or eye sensors, biometrics are almost impossible to duplicate which improves the security of the organisation. Hence, it comes as no surprise that more and more businesses incorporate face recognition and other biometric measures to ensure that access is granted in the most accurate and safe ways. 

Use of Robots

AI and the use of robots have been a hot topic for a long time. Currently, Europe and Asia are the leading continents in adopting robotic automation and it is predicted that they will continue to spread at an increasing rate in the next ten years.

Robots are particularly well-suited for repetitive tasks such as cleaning, sweeping the floor, or lawn mowing. They are not only more cost-efficient for organisations, but they also reduce the risk for individuals if they are placed in jobs that involve security patrol or duct cleaning.

The only considerations that companies should take into account regarding the use of robots, are whether the costs and quality of performance are improved in the long run compared to the current situation.

From a technological perspective, we are living the most exciting times yet. It’s fascinating to witness the new high-tech solutions emerging and brainstorm new ways of incorporating them into facilities management to boost efficiency on every level of business. At MSL, we put together carefully thought-out strategies to offer you the most comprehensive facilities management services tailored perfectly around your organisation’s needs.