How Tech Is Modernizing Facilities Management

Real-world examples of how facilities are using tech to streamline and improve facilities management were shared in Facility Insights: Lessons Learned and Winning Strategies, a recent webinar led by David Trask from ARC Facilities.

Discussing how technology is transforming facilities management with stakeholders in higher education, K-12 schools, healthcare, airports, and mixed-use facilities is crucial because these sectors face unique challenges that advanced technology can address effectively. Here's why it's important:

Sector-Specific Demands

• Higher Education & K-12 Schools: These environments must balance the need for safety, energy efficiency, and creating optimal learning environments.
• Healthcare: Compliance with stringent regulations, maintaining critical equipment, and ensuring a sterile environment make technology essential. Solutions like predictive maintenance and real-time tracking of assets improve operational reliability.
• Airports: High foot traffic, strict security requirements, and operational complexity demand technologies such as AI-driven monitoring, automated maintenance scheduling, and smart energy systems to streamline processes and enhance passenger experience.
• Mixed-Use Facilities: With diverse spaces like residential, retail, and commercial areas, these facilities benefit from integrated systems for energy management, occupancy tracking, and security.

Enhancing User Experience

• For stakeholders like students, patients, travelers, or tenants, a well-maintained facility ensures comfort, safety, and satisfaction. For instance, HVAC systems with occupancy sensors ensure optimal indoor conditions, while enhanced lighting boosts safety.

Future-Proofing Operations

• As technology evolves, facilities that adopt innovations early are better positioned to adapt to changing demands, regulations, and user expectations.

By engaging these sectors in discussions about technology, facilities managers can help them leverage the right tools to address their specific needs, improve operational efficiency, and deliver long-term value.

Technology in Action: Practical Applications

David discussed insights about boosting efficiency and saving time.

• Emergency Preparedness and Technician Onboarding: He recounted how a school district improved its emergency responsiveness and streamlined the onboarding process for new technicians by mapping out all its assets.
• Enhancing Processes with Mobile Tech: David highlighted how mobile technology and QR codes can make facilities management more seamless and efficient.
• Defining Project Deliverables: He emphasized the importance of clearly defining project deliverables. For example, a healthcare institution was able to hit the ground running with new buildings by ensuring vendors clearly understood what was expected as part of the deliverables.
• Round-the-Clock Access: David examined how one organization significantly improved its ability to respond quickly and update information within days by transitioning to a system that maps assets with precision. "Their previous system could only show general areas, but now they can pinpoint exact locations," he noted.
• Streamlined Workflows for Mixed-Use Facilities: He also discussed how technology helped a mixed-use facility enhance workflows and respond to tenant needs faster than ever before.

Session Insights:

• Mobile technology and QR codes can greatly improve facilities management by providing instant access to information and streamlining processes.
• Technology can empower facility teams to operate independently and respond faster to issues.
• It's crucial to clearly define project deliverables upfront to ensure accurate and timely information is received.
• Technology is not a replacement for team members but a tool that supports them and increases their performance.

"Everybody's resources are stretched thin. Everybody's down headcount. It’s time to adopt modern, streamlined approaches to maintenance.”