FM 4.0

Top tools and technologies shaping the future of FM

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In today’s world, facilities managers can no longer rely on obsolete processes and legacy technologies. Maintenance backlog, poor customer satisfaction, equipment failure, and higher operating expenses, are some of the outcomes of resistance to change and an overdependence on outdated systems.

With growing demands for higher efficiency, cost savings and user comfort, it is imperative that facilities managers adapt accordingly. Those looking to become value-driven partners for their clients and organisations need to adopt tools and technologies that help integrate siloed building management systems, monitor critical issues in real-time, and leverage the huge amounts of valuable data gathered on energy and assets.

Due to the ongoing pandemic, the use of technologies will assist facilities managers in abiding to the requirement of local authorities, by remote monitoring of assets; securely transfer and store data in the cloud; and make use of data analytics and artificial intelligence to act on the data collected.

Dr Ryad Soobhany, assistant professor and director of MSc Research Projects from the School of Mathematical and Computer Sciences at Heriot-Watt University Dubai, shares his recommendations on future-oriented tools and technologies that facilities managers should embrace to transform the sector as a whole.

• Big Data and Data Analytics

Facilities management provide vast amount of data that are often underutilised. Big data can create numerous opportunities, in the form of complete energy solutions, added business value, and higher customer service satisfaction in any facility, when the data is collected judiciously.