Analysis of emerging trends
We have identified six trends that today offer opportunities for cost savings or productivity improvements that could transform facility management over the next decade.
1. Management of outdoor units
Organizations evaluate their operating model to maximize value creation. Prior to outsourcing facility management, however, review the appropriate combination of internal and external outsourcing based on capacity, cost, and coverage. Several factors change the equation.
Development of outsourcing. Outsourcing now accounts for over 50% of the total facility management market in various regions, including Europe, the Middle East and North America.
Industry-based customization. In manufacturing, the preferred categories for outsourcing are soft services, such as landscaping and grooming. Hard services, such as the maintenance of utility equipment, usually remain unaffected. Meanwhile, the retail, banking and other non-manufacturing industries are first trying to optimize their operating model by balancing input and outsourcing. If the benefits achieved are not significant, some of these industries have chosen to outsource the management of the facility.
Penetration of Integrated Facility Management (IFM). IFMs have an increased market share in outsourcing, especially in North America, where IFMs approach 20% of the outsourced category.
2. Integrated value and related services
Companies are exploring the integration of facility management and related services in an effort to streamline management and improve efficiency. This offer may include the following features:
Example of a case
Real estate. This category includes all services related to transaction management, project management and other services.
Facility management. All tasks related to the maintenance of a facility, such as equipment maintenance and building services.
Energy management. Activities focus on energy conservation, including remodeling and procedural changes.
Production maintenance. Production equipment maintenance includes facilities such as assembly stations, process equipment, and test stations.
Employee services. Services for employees could include mail order, gym, cafeteria and catering services.
3. Workplace strategy
Workplace strategy is becoming a key tool for improving employee engagement and retention. It includes several categories:
Modular workplace. Workplaces can be made more modular and activity-based, to increase flexibility and flexibility by changing the workforce while reducing overall square footage.
Collaborators. Coworking provides flexibility in choosing the type of space and the period of occupation, which can offer cost savings.
Lifestyle Equipments. Lifestyle amenities such as yoga, meditation, childcare, recreation areas and sleeping areas have become common features to enhance the employee experience.
Wellness plans. Companies can invest in workplaces with attractive acoustics, lighting, furniture and flooring, among other features.
Together, these categories are choices along with space conditions and prosperity (Par. 3).
In particular, trends in this category can increase facility management costs (for companies that choose to invest more in workplace design), but they can also indirectly offset these costs with higher employee productivity.
4. The evolution of the Internet of Things (IoT)
Some developments and developments promote the adoption of equipment using IoT by facility management in a number of applications.
Energy efficiency. The application of IoT devices, such as motion sensors for lights and automated temperature controls, allowing greater visibility in the use and management of energy.
Holder experience. This factor could contribute to the adoption of the Internet.
Calculation. Data transmission costs determine whether edge, cloud, or hybrid computing will prevail.
Stack property. Companies are trying to own multiple layers of the IoT stack. Hardware infrastructure and / or software appear as preferred ownership models.
IoT security. Security lags behind the development of IoT devices and platforms.
5. The appearance of robots
Robotic automation is suitable for undertaking repetitive and dangerous tasks. So far, Asian and European companies have pioneered the adoption of robotics for services such as cleaning and security. Widespread adoption could occur within the next decade.
Repetitive tasks. Activities that follow the same procedure each time, such as sweeping a floor, are primary opportunities to integrate robots into operations. Many companies design and build robots to automate repetitive tasks such as washing power and mowing the lawn.
Dangerous work. Using robots for certain tasks – for example, security patrol or HVAC pipeline cleaning – could allow companies to reduce costs and risk.
6. Augmented reality
Technology providers are developing integrated AR solutions that have the potential to transform facility management.
Utensils, accessories. Smartphones and tablets dominate the hardware market, while portable items are still low in the market.
Content source. The information is limited to the content pulled from the maintenance manuals and through user interaction. Content sources from Internet-based devices are also in the early stages and will ideally be further enhanced by data collected by IoT sensors.
Interaction. The information can be visual, didactic or interactive. Technologies are evolving in all areas, but visualization is now the most mature.
Mapping. While mapping is still limited to spatial monitoring, index and shape-based technologies are being developed.
Software development kit. SDKs are well-developed for consumer applications such as gambling, but are still in the early stages of facility management applications.
Actions that companies can take now
Facility managers can not simply turn a switch to take advantage of these trends. Some companies will have to adapt their strategy, organizational capabilities and culture. And given that some of these trends are still in their infancy, executives need to focus on positioning the foundation. Assisted by Manifest Services various actions can help you.