As our world becomes increasingly digitized and automated, the need for facility management professionals who can manage and operate advanced building systems continues to grow.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss seven of the most current facility management trends that you should be aware of to stay ahead of the curve in 2022 and beyond.
Facility Management Trends in 2022
As the world moves towards mid-2022, the following current trends are observed in the facility management industry:
- The growing importance of predictive maintenance
- Mobile applications gain in focus
- Increasing responsibility for the environment and society
- Making the most of IoT, AI, and connected devices
- More advanced data analytics and cloud-based data collection
- Remote monitoring of FM
- Further search for new technologies
#1 The Growing Importance of Predictive Maintenance
The first current trend in facilities management is predictive maintenance. It is a method for reducing costs and improving efficiency. Taking steps toward sustainability will make this trend more prevalent.
Even though it is a trend in facility management that has seen growth in recent years, too many organizations still follow reactive maintenance practices, which are more costly and inefficient than planning work in advance.
When teams use FM software in place that understands how an asset is performing, maintenance can be predicted to keep it operating optimally.
In the event of asset failure, replacement is required - this consumes a greater amount of resources both to manufacture new replacements and to dispose of old ones efficiently. With predictive maintenance, this waste can be significantly minimized.
#2 Mobile Applications Gain In Focus
The application of mobile technology to facility management is not a new development, but it has become very important in FM. A visible trend is a need for apps that provide all-in-one CAFM and CMMS capabilities, enabling more comprehensive facilities management. It is predicted that the use of mobile apps will increase this year, as well as the innovation in how they're equipped.
One of the biggest benefits of mobile apps for facility managers, maintenance employees, or vendors are especially:
• Faster and more efficient facility management processes,
• Less manual work or time-consuming phone calls,
• Streamlined communication between the team,
• Increased productivity - all at the fingertips of FM teams
Facility managers know the benefits a mobile application can provide: fewer time-consuming phone calls, better communication between team members, and faster and more efficient facility management processes. That’s why 83% of FMs say mobile technology increases productivity.
Mobile solutions provide FM and maintenance teams with much quicker response times, better insight into their schedules, a real-time update on work orders, and a greater ability to communicate with each other.
Consider only these real estate software vendors that over CAFM and CMMS solutions with easy-to-use mobile apps.
#3 Increasing Responsibility for the Environment and Society
Unlike any year before, environmental issues and climate change are prominent these days. A growing awareness of the need to protect the health of our planet is leading to regulations being introduced, and this process will continue.
Nowadays, facility managers should be aware of how sustainability can reduce costs, increase the marketability of their facilities, improve health and safety for the occupiers, and also will enhance your facility’s reputation.
Buildings and organizations will need to decrease their carbon footprints as a result of these regulations. It is anticipated that more and more FM organizations will move in this direction starting in 2022, with a significant role in ESG strategies. These companies will take advantage of software solutions to address, for example, energy consumption issues. There will be a growing need of implementing technology for real estate such as IoT, AI, or Connected Devices.
#4 Making the Most of IoT, AI, and Connected Devices
Investing in the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and connected technologies will become even more prominent in 2022. As you probably already know, the Internet of Things or IoT refers to the billions of physical devices around the world that are now connected to the internet, collecting, and sharing data.
The technology is being utilized by many industries, including facilities management. FM departments can leverage a variety of IoT-connected devices and sensors to, for example:
• Automate operations,
• Improve building energy efficiency,
• Support better maintenance practices.
As well as presenting a wealth of opportunities for optimization and efficiency improvements, implementing these tools can also help FM teams significantly reduce their carbon footprint and environmental impact. To achieve this goal in 2022:
• You should consider using intelligent IoT sensors to determine when rooms are occupied so that lighting, heating, and other climate control systems will only be activated when people are present
• It would be beneficial to implement an energy management software that allows you to track energy consumption in real-time and identify ways to reduce it
• It is recommended that you consider asset management software for extending component lifetimes and reducing the need to manufacture and acquire replacement parts
#5 More Advanced Data Analytics and Cloud-Based Data Collection
Cloud computing has grown tremendously in the past few years, and it is transforming industries across the globe. It allows employees to work from anywhere with an internet connection, making remote work more convenient. Cloud-based applications also allow for faster mobile communication, collaboration, and decision-making.
Such applications are invaluable to facility management professionals because they have to coordinate maintenance of facilities with other business functions. For example, if a piece of equipment malfunctions, submitting a request for service using a cloud application would immediately send a notification to the appropriate people so that someone could address the issue.
Data analytics is becoming essential as we continue to generate vast amounts of data. This trend presents several opportunities for facility managers:
• Data analytics can help you streamline business processes and efficiency efforts throughout your facilities portfolio by translating data into actionable insights that can be used in decision-making or preventative maintenance
• The cloud makes it possible for you to analyze large amounts of data gathered over time across different locations and platforms
• If you are managing a portfolio of buildings, you will be able to use data from one building to make decisions in others; this could also lead toward AI-based predictive maintenance solutions
#6 Remote Monitoring of FM
Since remote monitoring has become easier, more accessible, and more affordable in recent years, many organizations have taken advantage of this technology (additionally impacted by COVID-19)
From a single location, using wireless sensors, cameras, and other technologies, it is possible to monitor various systems such as water consumption, building security, air quality, temperature, and more. Remote FM monitoring will be even more prominent in the case of dispersed real estate portfolios.
Utilizing this data will help organizations to determine how space is used and optimize the utilization for better management of assets. It will be easier to identify patterns that allow asset management to be more efficient, plan maintenance following actual needs instead of following a fixed schedule, and measure environmental impacts to support sustainability programs.
#7 Further Search for New Technologies
Facilities teams that are facing labor shortages or wishing to further improve service quality will be more likely to consider investing in new technology solutions.
Thanks to new IT solutions, you can manage the labor shortage in your organization and still deliver excellent service with fewer employees.
It goes without saying that technology can help streamline workflows and boost teams’ productivity. To make the most of your facility operation, make sure you research the latest technologies and train your staff to use them. To be able to do that, consider looking for experienced software vendors with the right support and implementation teams that can help with instructional materials to easily understand the software solutions.
Final Thoughts
Facility management is an important but often overlooked part of running a business. It encompasses all aspects of creating and maintaining a safe and productive work environment, from overseeing the building maintenance and groundskeeping to managing the office equipment and supplies. In recent years, there have been several changes in the field of facility management that businesses should be aware of.
This article looked at some of the latest trends in facility management. It explored how technology is changing the way facilities are run and how managers can stay ahead of the curve. If you are interested in learning more about facility management, or if you would like to try our software, contact us.
