Did you know there is a small world in our corporate ecosystem where efficiency meets innovation? Well, it’s facility management (FM)! The support of every great company.
From just the maintenance to the green buildings! It’s an amazing combination of art and science to create wonderful workspaces with technology and productivity. Let’s together discover the power of FM and its major role in creating innovative spaces of tomorrow.
In this blog, we take a journey into the evolution of FM. Where we experience FM becoming an important part of organizational planning, ensuring the efficiency in operations and the well-being of the employee.
So, let’s get started!
Facility Management
Facility Management is a profession that supports the well-being of the people in the office area.
This team makes sure that the functionality of the company, the comfort of the people working in the firm, safety concerns including emergency protocol, and efficiency of business operations like resource usage, energy consumption, and space utilization within the offices are all taken care of.
Well let’s know about the types of Facility Management:
Hard Facilities Management also known as ‘Hard FM’, deals with the issues of physical assets of the company like plumbing, wiring, elevators, and heating or cooling systems.
Soft Facilities Management also known as ‘Soft FM’ looks into the matters relating to the works performed by people, such as custodial services, security, catering, and lease accounting.
History of Facility Management
Facility management has covered an interesting journey ever since the early 1900s. In the start, it only focused on building maintenance and cleaning. However, when computers entered the corporate world in the 1960s, facility management started gaining importance.
Ross Perot, an IBM graduate and the founder of Electronic Data Systems invented the term “Facility Management”. Initially, it was mainly related to the network management of IT systems only, and later it was expanded to include the services of all aspects of commercial space management.
In the 1970s and the 1980s, the outsourcing of non-core services such as lighting, heating, and plumbing to professional facility management companies started taking place.
The establishment of The National Facility Management Association (NFMA) in the year 1980 which later developed into the International Facility Management Association (IFMA), undoubtedly played an important role in the growth of facility management.
In the 2000s, facility management gained global fame when it started solving issues related to security threats, risk management, corporate social responsibility, and financial instability.
The Pan-European and global FM started supporting the increasing use of technologies on all sides of facility management.
Ever since then, FM has played a great role in managing modern workplaces and their journey to reaching great heights.
11 Facility Management Trends in 2024
Let’s explore the trends that are framing businesses in today’s world!
1. Sustainability of Business
As we know, sustainability is gaining importance these days. The facility management teams in the companies are focusing more on improving profitability, effectiveness in overall operations, and team efficiency without impacting the office environment.
2. Digitalization and Energy Efficiency
The aim will be to reduce carbon footprints and save energy. And, digitalization, including IoT (Internet of Things) and data-driven functioning, will play a very important role in these energy-saving goals.
3. Machine Learning and AI
Machine learning and Artificial intelligence (AI) are enhancing facility maintenance, improving resource management, and improving decision-making in FM.
4. Predictive and Preventative Maintenance
Facility managers are using smarter ways to keep equipment in good shape. They are finding and fixing problems early so that machines work without interruption for a longer time.
5. Smart Buildings
The high demand for smart buildings keeps rising this year. These intelligent structures make the best use of the technology for better efficiency and resident experience.
6. Better Security Measures
The advancement of technology including AI-driven observations and access-controlled systems will be a priority for many Facility Management professionals.
7. CMMS
Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) fit smoothly into the other processes of the business. This makes work easier and helps everything run more efficiently.
8. Setting the Construction Standards high
As new buildings appear, facility managers are concentrating on making sure they meet better construction standards.
This means using materials that are good for the environment, designing buildings that use less energy, and making sure people who live or work there are healthy and comfortable.
9. Sustainability and ESG Reporting
Reporting on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) matters are becoming more important. Companies are focusing on being open about their efforts to be sustainable and leave a mark on the hearts of people.
10. Critical Environments
Facility managers play a crucial role in taking care of important places like data centers, hospitals, and labs. Their top priorities are keeping things running smoothly, ensuring everyone is safe, and following the rules.
11. Balancing Processes with Harmony
With new technology, facility management is making sure their processes work well together. The ones who adjust quickly will be the most successful in this ever-changing field.
Facilities management is constantly evolving. Not just by improving technology but by taking steps towards sustainability to create efficient and smart spaces to work in.
Future of Facility Management
Facility management is becoming a massive concept of business. They are like secret superheroes who make sure everything in the company’s building works well. In the future, FM will be even more important than it is today. Let’s know why!
- Growth in Businesses: The facility management industry is expected to see great growth in the coming years. It is estimated to reach a value of USD 1856.44 billion by 2029. This shows that a lot of companies will increase the use of FM to help them grow.
- Smart Technology: With fancy technology like AI and the Internet Of Things (IoT), buildings are getting smarter these days. Well, this means the buildings of today can almost think for themselves. By using sensors and smart systems to save energy to make things run smoothly without human presence.
- Energy Saving: Facility management helps reduce the use of power in the business and be kind to the planet. Not only is it good for nature but also saves money.
- Stay Ahead: The companies that use good facility management will do better than the companies that don’t. These companies will not only save money but will also have happier workers and will be future-ready for the world.
So, as we know, FM is not just fixing problems of today but is also making businesses better and ready for a brighter tomorrow. Facility management will surely help companies be more efficient and successful in the green future.
End Note
As we concluded our exploration into the concept of facility management, we realized that it is not just about changing bulbs and fixing leaks! But it’s about creating an innovative environment and increasing productivity.
This field in business is continuously evolving, practicing sustainability and adapting new technologies for a brighter future for the company. FM is simply about making sure that the people in the company have a great place to work.
So, are you ready to take your facilities to new heights?
Let’s together start our journey towards a space that is not only great to work in but is also smarter and greener for a better tomorrow. Craft your workspace that’s not only efficient but extraordinary today!
