FOCUS
SOFTWARE
READY FOR THE
REVOLUTION Facilities, property, and workplace management software provider, Service Works Global (SWG) has partnered with FMJ to discover how FMs are using technology. Hazel Bedson, Director, Service Works Global surveys the results
L
ike so many other industries, facilities management is having to react and adapt to significant socio-economic trends. From the boom in hybrid working and its implications for workplace strategy to the net-zero commitments and a need to decarbonise the built environment, the role of the facilities manager feels increasingly complex. Against this backdrop is an ongoing digital transformation and the potential for it to make organisations both smarter and more efficient. But it can be tricky to know how far facilities management is on this particular journey and where it might be ultimately heading. The range of technologies at FMs disposal is growing all the time, including long-established software such as CAFM and ‘newer’ solutions such as building information modelling (BIM). Each year for the last 12, Service Works Global has sought to learn more about how facilities practitioners are using technology through an industry survey. In March 2024, we partnered with FMJ to survey respondents on several key issues, including their views on AI, other smart technology such as IoT sensors, BIM and digital twins, and the challenges they face in applying many of these solutions. This research has allowed us to identify many of the current trends and create a clearer picture of how technology is shaping the delivery of FM services.
IS FM READY FOR THE AI REVOLUTION? AI has dominated the headlines since the launch of the generative AI tool ChatGPT in 2022. Historically, a substantial amount of fear has surrounded the technology regarding its threat in replacing human workers, but views are changing. As the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) wrote earlier this year: “While AI may reshape certain aspects of the jobs, the focus should be on augmenting human expertise rather than replacing it entirely. By equipping oneself with AI skills, facilities managers can not only adapt to the changing environment but also mentor and guide the next generation, ensuring that the integration of AI enhances rather than diminishes the profession.” The potential of AI lies in its ability to automate processes as well as crunch large datasets to improve decision-making and solve complex problems. In theory, AI could support FM professionals in maintenance, space management, compliance, energy efficiency, stakeholder relations, workflow automation, and more. There are several examples where AI is already making 28
AUGUST 2024