Internet of Things: Shaping the Future of Facilities Management
IoT technology is becoming a common tool in the pursuit of better performance, efficiency and cost savings in facilities management. With solutions that monitor systems and address proactive maintenance schedules, optimize energy usage, manage assets, and emphasize tenant satisfaction, the future of facilities management is looking easier, more comfortable, and economical than ever before.
Smart buildings are on the rise
The challenge is, at least in terms of building and facilities management, is to apply the right solutions – ones that will deliver the data and the efficiencies that are going to make a difference, both in the present and in the future. Though older buildings may not be tech-ready, smart commercial buildings are on the rise. New builds are designed with IoT functionality in mind, making it easy to implement proactive management and maintenance strategies as soon as the building is up and running.
In terms of building management, the kind of data required is very specific:
Comfort and systems optimization
Temperature is the arbiter of comfort for your tenants, but it can also be an indicator of something amiss. This information, delivered in a timely fashion, can prompt action before systems go past the point of correction. Put simply, this means that having some foresight into a looming issue may prevent damage and discomfort, and it may save the building owner a lot of money in the long run.
Preventative maintenance
In a break-fix environment, problems are often costly to fix because they are not addressed until the damage has already been done. Sensors that can detect leaks or other abnormalities contribute to proactive building management and maintenance.
Security
Keeping a building, its contents, and its tenants secure is of prime importance to building owners. Beacons that transmit data via a Bluetooth connection can be used both inside and outside the location, monitoring the area and delivering detailed insights to security personnel. Beacons can be highly personalized as well, meaning that management can know decisively who is in the building and where they are at any given time. Beacons can also keep tabs on security and cleaning personnel, monitoring exactly where they went over the course of their shift. This removes the onus of the facilities manager to keep eyes on staff, as all the information they need is at their fingertips.
Extend the range of facilities management
While a large, multi-tenant building can be a daunting task to manage, a connected building offers the opportunity to extend the expertise of the facilities manager. Since systems can be managed remotely, it offers the possibility of overseeing several buildings rather than just one – which is a realistic way of being in many places at once. This can both improve consistency in management style and save money on payroll costs.
An easier way to manage assets
Asset management is a time-consuming and largely inefficient process. With IoT enabled asset management, a great deal of time is saved as the manager does not have to be present in order to manage inventory. Information such as inspection data, maintenance schedules, asset location and more can be managed from a device interface, freeing up management time to devote to higher-value tasks.
While these are just some of the ways smart buildings can support more efficient facilities management, the technology is cost-effective and well within reach. To help manage assets like elevators, HVAC systems, electricity, building security, parking allocation, and more, the possibilities are well worth exploring.
To learn more about how IoT can improve your facilities management, drop us a line today.
