Having entered into the new year, we have come to rely on technology more than ever for an increased standard of living: from solutions which make our jobs more rewarding to innovations enhancing our personal lives.
The modern tenant has come to rely increasingly on digital solutions offering both comfort and convenience. Combined with stable demand for efficiency in both energy and cost in managing facilities, fresh ideas can be offered through new trends.
This Blog will highlight and discuss some of the most important trends in Facilities Management for 2022
1-Sensor Technology
Today, both real estate service providers and facilities managers are resorting more to sensor technology deployment to deliver measurable operational benefits.
Being IoT (Internet of Things) put in action, it enables the assets of a building to communicate their operational and health status without human intervention. Owing to developments in both sensor and battery technology, easily deployable wireless devices with hardly any configuration or maintenance effort, were introduced.
In 2022, this technology is used to collect data for many commercial aspects of any given commercial building. Also, tenants can express satisfaction and request support using features such as wireless click and feedback panels.
2- Data Analytics
Although facilities managers have access to large amounts of data which can be gathered for numerous purposes and by different systems, making decisions leading to operational savings based on this data alone can be very time consuming.
As a solution, facilities management systems are being deployed by facilities managers where data is translated into work orders or automated actions.
For example, using new sensor-based occupancy data points for monitoring the space occupancy in a building, the building management systems will adjust lights, temperature and ventilation based on the number of people present at any given time, leading to a major reduction in energy speed. Hence, a major benefit is that through sensor driven building optimization, major savings between 15-40% of the total energy spent, will be achieved.
Another advantage of data analytics is that when managing a large number of buildings, data can be used from one building to make decisions in others. Here, data analytics will assist in determining why the energy usage in one building is more efficient than in another, thus simplifying efficiency efforts.
3-Cloud Based Data Collection
Cloud based services simplify data collection to a large extent, since both facility managers and service providers do not need finding ways for data collection and storage. Hence, only cloud based services can deliver the expected experience of plugging the equipment and having the data available for production.
In addition, these solutions offer customized data access, with multi-tenant platforms including project based access control to individual building assets being key expected features of this solution.
Further, there is no need to worry about backups since the risk of losing data is greatly reduced when using cloud based solutions.
4-Remote Monitoring
With remote property and asset monitoring becoming one of the biggest drivers in facility management, the trends discussed in the previous sections provide the framework for the remote monitoring of your building.
Using smart sensors, data analytics and cloud technology, a complete overview of key assets and environmental parameters within a building can be gained. Further and through sensor based condition monitoring, dispatching on-site engineers can be reduced greatly by service providers.
Also, insights from buildings vacant from virus outbreaks can increase energy savings beyond the rate of 15% which can be expected when a building is fully occupied.
5-Digital Workplace Services
Digital workplaces have become key in the office environment of a modern company.
Hence until recently, these workspaces were centered mostly around the comfort of tenants and employees. Companies want to be sure to deliver an outstanding workplace experience especially in a global labor market characterized by intense competition for talent.
Examples of services powered by sensors, analytics and digital signage include desk availability and way finding, meeting room availability, office temperature and the status of washroom cleaning, among many others.
Ever since the pandemic however, a major turn has occurred with digital workplaces switching from being experience driven to being vital for health and safety. Here, sensors and data analytics will again play an important role in enabling decisions on distancing measures and hygiene.
It should be noted that new apps, signage screens and analytics platforms which are being developed very rapidly, are powered to achieve the new goal of maintaining the safety and attractiveness of our workspaces.