Facilities management can be a daunting task; the job can encompass many aspects of the business — communication processes and resource monitoring, to name a few. Part of being able to take these responsibilities head-on is the ability to understand the underpinnings of the workplace and any changes that may occur in the office.
Fortunately for the modern-day facilities manager there are plenty of tools at your disposal that can keep you up-to-date, informed and ahead of the curve, so you can oversee a more efficient and comfortable environment for your employees to enjoy.
- Energy monitoring systems
- Using an energy monitoring system allows you to quickly understand your office’s energy efficiency and resource use. You’ll also gain more insight into other systems in your building like HVAC and lighting use throughout the day. Having access to this information can help you identify which resources are bigger energy (and money) drains, so that you’ll know what adjustments to make to run a greener facility.
- Project management tools
- Project management tools like Asana or Wrike can keep your team on the same page with assigned deadlines and shared comments while giving you a high-level overview of all on-going office projects.
- An important consideration for facilities managers, should be your relationship with external contractors.
- Understanding how your contractors manage their tasks will be crucial in determining which tool you choose. Plus, by utilizing a PM tool, it will help you align with their needs and drive stronger and consistent communication with each project.
- Space management software
- When planning your facility’s layout and space allocation, you’ll need to be able to track data, visualize your space and manage any requests or resources that may come your way.
- Using a space management software solution, will allow you to make clear decisions about the layout of your environment and easily share information with contractors.
- This is especially useful when taking on particularly large or hectic projects, like planning a large move to a new building, as it will help save you time and avoid any conflicts.
- Security and safety systems
- With an automated security and safety system, you can monitor movement in and out of your office, allowing you to protect particularly expensive equipment like computers and other office machinery from theft.
- This type of system can also help you track workplace safety in your building, so that you can design more effective processes in the case of an emergency. Your employees and office space will remain safe from high-risk disasters and you’ll be able to meet safety compliance standards, depending on specific regulations for your region.
- Inventory tracking systems
- An inventory system enables you to track equipment, furniture and supplies in your facility like computer monitors or paper. You’ll be able to account for the location of all office items, and even more, you’ll avoid the misplacement of large expensive equipment. Having this data can also give you insight into any overspending (or underspending) in the budget.
- Keeping up with the various responsibilities of a facility manager can feel like a job for a whole team to handle. But using the right tools and systems means FM’s can make productive choices based on reliable evidence and data —ultimately resulting in a more effectively run workplace.