Innovations in Facilities Management Technology

With the development of technology making innovation faster and more easily accessible than ever before, the world of facilities management and building management technology revolves around keeping up with the latest trends and updates. Facility management trends to look for in the coming month incorporate software and physical equipment powered by artificial intelligence and smart technology to work hand in hand. With advancements occurring at breakneck speed, the focus is squarely on efficiency, integration, and staying ahead of the curve.

Gone are the days of disparate systems struggling to communicate. Today’s facilities management is akin to a symphony, where every instrument, from software to physical equipment, harmonizes seamlessly to create a masterpiece of functionality. Here are a few key trends poised to elevate your building maintenance game.

Integrated Workplace Management Systems (IWMS)

Picture a symphony where every instrument—from software to equipment—plays in perfect harmony. That's what today's Integrated Workplace Management Systems (IWMS) are all about. These systems bring together tools like Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) for work order tracking and Building Information Modeling (BIM) for creating digital twins of your facility. The result? A seamless, efficient operation that makes facility managers' lives a whole lot easier.

Cloud-Based Solutions for Facilities Managers

Cloud-based solutions are revolutionizing data management for facility managers. By centralizing data in the cloud, these solutions make it accessible from anywhere, enabling better collaboration and more informed decision-making. Plus, with enhanced data security and quick disaster recovery, facilities managers can breathe easily knowing their data is safe. Cloud-based solutions offer more flexibility, and scalability, which is crucial for growing teams.

One of the significant advantages of cloud-based solutions is enhanced data security. Storing information outside the organization’s IT network aids in quick disaster recovery, ensuring that critical data is protected and accessible during emergencies. Using cloud-based data management solutions enables any facility manager to make data-driven decisions and manage operations more effectively.

With the ability to analyze vast amounts of data quickly, cloud-based solutions enable facilities managers and facilities leaders to optimize their operations and enhance overall efficiency. These solutions are essential for organizations looking to stay ahead in the competitive landscape of facilities management.

Your Ultimate Integrated Workplace Management System

A CMMS is your go-to for scheduling, work order tracking, storeroom and inventory management, and other maintenance team tasks. A great example of this is the Maintenance Care work order management suite. Giving staff the ability to submit work orders from anywhere in your facility, as well as prioritize tasks by location or priority, saves time and optimizes their efforts.

Manages: People/Staff & Tasks

Building Information Modeling (BIM) Software uses technology such as digital twins to create and manage digital representations of the physical and functional aspects of your facility. Managers use BIM software to plan efficient and functional spaces, guide the construction of new facilities, and look for deficiencies in maintenance operations to achieve operational efficiencies.

Manages: Space & Operations

Asset Management Software tracks your physical equipment and machinery. This stores data on details such as preventative maintenance schedules, manufacturer guideline manuals, work history, and lifecycle stages for individual assets – from trucks in your fleet to the brand-new copier in reception.

Manages: Equipment

Visitor Management Software is an important facilities management technology tool from a safety and wellness perspective, especially in a post-pandemic world. A visitor management software solution allows facilities to streamline and organize visitor registration, vetting, and check-in. It also is helpful for monitoring capacity when dealing with space management.

Manages: People & Spaces

Synergistic software solutions combine various functions, such as facility management and energy management into one streamlined platform. This provides a large-scale wealth of data in real-time, encompassing different aspects of your business and operations to give decision-makers a full picture from which to take action.

AI and Machine Learning for Facilities Management

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning are revolutionizing facilities management by analyzing large data sets from various sources to provide actionable insights. AI-driven analytics can also optimize the utilization of office space, enhancing employee experiences and productivity. This capability enables facilities managers to make faster, more informed decisions through dashboards, analytics, and prescriptive recommendations. AI-driven business intelligence not only enhances operational efficiency but also optimizes space management and asset utilization.

Enter the era of intelligent facilities, where artificial intelligence (AI) reigns supreme. Smart buildings, woven with the intricate threads of the Internet of Things, transform mere structures into sentient entities. Sensors monitor occupancy patterns, temperature fluctuations, and energy consumption, all seamlessly integrated with management software for optimal performance and cost savings. But the AI revolution doesn’t stop there.

Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) redefine employee training, bridging the gap between physical and remote workspaces with immersive experiences. Predictive maintenance algorithms anticipate equipment failures before they occur, ensuring uninterrupted operations and extended asset lifecycles. And with biometric access control systems safeguarding entrances, security reaches unprecedented levels of sophistication and convenience.

AR and VR are making significant strides in facilities management. AR assists in training maintenance technicians by simulating maintenance problems and providing step-by-step resolutions, merging the digital and physical worlds with superimposed 3-D imagery. This technology enhances the efficiency of facility management by allowing maintenance personnel to access equipment and technical specifications at a glance, without the need for blueprints.

When it comes to improving employee performance, education continues to play a large role. A building management technology trend is to integrate augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) into your training. With some current research showing that 81% of employees work in a hybrid schedule, both from home and on-site, the ability to use artificial intelligence technologies to make training and team building feel as in-person and hands-on as possible cuts down on onboarding processes and implementation times for new processes.

AI algorithms can also analyze data from any smart sensors and generate self-developing predictions regarding maintenance timelines. This takes the idea of preventative maintenance to a new level, where facilities managers and their teams can set and forget when it comes to building a preventive maintenance schedule, and use that time and energy to focus on other projects. This also leads to more efficient preventative maintenance schedules, which reduces downtime and extends asset lifecycles.

A facilities management trend that is proving its staying power is the use of AI technology and “smart buildings”. A smart building uses the Internet of Things to create interconnected sensors and systems throughout your building or buildings, which then connect to your different software solutions. Smart sensors such as thermostats, lighting, occupancy sensors, and automated building management systems track and retail information on occupancy patterns and facility environment. These sensors then use the parameters set in your management software solutions to optimize performance to save energy (and therefore money) while also creating ideal occupant comfort and wellness.

Though it may feel like it belongs in a sci-fi movie from 20 years ago, the use of artificial intelligence in biometric access control systems is very much of the present. Using biometrics increases security and convenience in building management. Examples of biometric equipment include fingerprint scanners, facial recognition systems, and optical scanners.

Advanced Energy Management Systems

With the building sector responsible for 37% of global carbon emissions, the need for advanced energy management systems has never been more urgent. These systems enable organizations to adopt sustainable building practices, resulting in significant cost savings due to reduced energy and material consumption. Additionally, buildings with sustainability certifications often enjoy higher asset values and lower ESG risks.

The future of facilities management will include the use of systems such as:

• Energy-efficient HVAC systems that optimize energy usage

• "Green” or sustainable building materials such as recycled content flooring, low-emission paints and coatings, energy-efficient windows, and solar panels

• Water conservation tools such as low-flow toilets, sensor-operated faucets, and rainwater harvesting systems for cooling

• AI-equipped systems focused on energy management

Though these trends and others may seem overwhelming, the future of facilities management is one that is integrated and streamlined. Take some time to research which new tools and software solutions fit your needs, like starting with Maintenance Care’s facilities management CMMS.

As environmental consciousness takes center stage, facility managers are embracing eco-friendly technologies with gusto. From energy-efficient HVAC systems to sustainable building materials like recycled flooring and solar panels, every aspect of building design is scrutinized through a green lens. Water conservation tools, including sensor-operated faucets and rainwater harvesting systems, further reduce environmental impact. AI-equipped energy management systems optimize resource utilization, paving the way for a future of net-zero buildings. In a world of increasing regulations and environmental imperatives, sustainability isn't just a choice; it's a mission.

Over time, you’ll find that your facilities management practices will grow to emphasize integration and efficiency, smart technology, and environmental sustainability. 

Unleash the Power of Cutting-Edge Technology

The future of facilities management is integrated, streamlined, and sustainable. Maintenance Care is already embracing innovation by offering cloud-based facilities management solutions, practical VR for building maintenance, sensor data and much more.

In the symphony of facilities management, each trend plays a crucial role in composing a crescendo of efficiency, innovation, and sustainability. Embrace the future today, and witness your maintenance practices soar to new heights of integration and effectiveness. The journey may be thrilling, but the destination is nothing short of extraordinary.

Request a demo to see the latest technologies in a single platform designed for maintenance.