With ever changing priorities, our industry has needed to continually pivot to meet client needs. Technology is how we can achieve these changing needs. The adoption of advanced technologies has streamlined operations, enhanced efficiency, and contributed to the overall effectiveness of facility management. The key places technology can impact facility management are system automations, integrations, and communication both internal and external.
Automations
Automations are a great way to increase productivity and efficiency. They help to improve workflow by reducing steps to get from point A to point B. They also allow us to seamlessly update our clients and even provide a model for us to produce updates in real time. As the industry evolves, we rely on our employees to provide feedback on which technology automations would greatly benefit their day-to-day operations. This gives us invaluable information that helps us shape our systems and further our growth as a company.
Integrations
Integration has been essential in our productivity as it allows our system to communicate with the third-party systems. This results in less hands-on time for the work order management team. When we update our native system, our clients’ systems are updated as well. We have also designed our system to auto generate notes when work is scheduled so that clients are always updated when a project is set to begin.
Integration also plays a role in IVR management. When our crews check into our system, the integration updates our clients’ system in real time. This way the client has access to data directly from our system. This results in improved coordination, faster issue resolution, and enhanced overall productivity.
Mobile Application
Our company also uses a mobile application for our managers in the field. This allows them to quickly provide updates on a site’s condition, perform surveys, and supply photos directly from their cell phone. It also allows them to check into the location using IVR that is GPS enabled. All tasks completed on the application automatically integrate into our main system. This allows employees in the office to provide complete updates to the client by including all of the field provided information.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, technology has become an indispensable asset in the realm of facility management. From automating routine tasks to enabling real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance, technology enhances efficiency, reduces costs, and improves overall operational effectiveness. To stay ahead of the curve in the facility management world, we must continue to evolve using technology as a critical tool in our success.
Author: Carolynn Koller, Director IT & Program Training
