Cypress College, located in North Orange County, is renowned for its academic excellence and its expansive campus footprint. The college has recently expanded its infrastructure with the addition of a new Science, Engineering, and Math building, along with a state-of-the-art Veterans Resource Center that provides vital services to the veteran community in the region. These developments are part of Cypress College's commitment to creating an inclusive and technologically advanced environment.
Philip Fleming, Director of Physical Plant & Facilities, has seen significant changes in the industry over the years. Reflecting on these transformations, he noted, “A lot of things have changed since I first started in this business. The ability and capability to electronically access information via mobile devices that was previously available only in old paper formats is so helpful to us because it speeds up the accessing of the information, which ultimately helps with diagnosis and then repairs.”
One common challenge faced by the facilities team at Cypress College involves responding to complaints of discomfort, such as when students or staff report that a building is too hot. To address these issues, the team often needs to inspect the chilled water propulsion system to ensure it meets the required temperature differentials. The ability to access detailed information electronically allows them to quickly assess the situation, dispatch field technicians, and make necessary adjustments. This efficient process improves the comfort of students and staff and enhances overall satisfaction.
The implementation of software from ARC Facilities has been pivotal in streamlining operations. As A.D. Fowler, Facility Manager, explained, “It is very important to see what’s going on, to see where items are. It curates positive communication back and forth.”
This capability is further echoed by Aaron Pickley, an HVAC Mechanic at the college, who appreciates the convenience of accessing digital blueprints. “I don’t have to carry large blueprints. I can zoom in and find details quickly,” he said. This ease of access saves time and reduces the physical burden of handling large and delicate paper documents.
The transition from paper-based to digital systems has revolutionized the way the facilities team operates, allowing them to address issues more swiftly and accurately.
Jim Madrid, who works in Electric Communication, highlighted the efficiency gains from using digital as-builts. “If I had to find a map or an as-built, it could take an hour. Right there, time is money,” Madrid emphasized.
Phil Fleming encourages other facilities managers to embrace digital transformation.
“For those who are stuck in the old way of looking at as-builts, turning page after page, that works, yes, but you’re wasting an awful lot of time, energy, and effort your man-hours and staff hours. What I would suggest for those who are on the fence or skeptical, just take a look at this technology from ARC Facilities and see what it can do for you. Bring a couple of your key trades in, have them take a look, and then make your decision accordingly. It will make you a better facilities director, and more operationally efficient.”
Cypress College's adoption of ARC Facilities has significantly enhanced the efficiency and effectiveness of its facilities management. This technological integration optimizes resource utilization and ensures a comfortable and supportive environment for students and staff.
The success story of Cypress College serves as an inspiring example for other institutions considering a similar digital transformation in their facilities management practices.
Cypress College
It's hard to respond quickly to service calls when the building and equipment information you need is buried in paper. The facilities team at Cypress College has accelerated their diagnosis and repairs by moving their critical documentation to the ARC Facilities platform. With building plans now accessible on their mobile devices, there’s no need to carry paper, and technicians can zoom in to see more details. The ability to see exactly what’s happening with a particular piece of equipment, make adjustments, and accommodate student and staff requests makes the facilities team at Cypress College more efficient. Watch the video to see how the team is benefitting from using the ARC Facilities software platform.