With the ongoing rise of technology and innovation, new opportunities are presented to advance the Facility Management Industry! As new facility management trends continue to emerge, it is important for facility managers to stay on top of these trends and implement them into your business models. Embracing fresh trends can unlock potential for greater operational efficiency and position your business with a competitive advantage as industry leaders.
Keeping Current with Facility Management (FM) Trends
Let’s begin by exploring why awareness and implementation of new trends is beneficial. Simply put, adopting emerging facility management trends can reduce total operational costs and improve productivity. This enhances strategic sales, communication, and marketing plans which benefit the landscape of the future of facilities management! It’s vital for facility managers to do research and be knowledgeable on current FM trends so you can optimize your business and provide the best facilities services to your clients.
But when looking at all the new technologies and innovations out there, it can be overwhelming to know where to begin. So, what are the major trends in facilities management? Let’s break down the following 5 facility management trends you should be aware of, including the pros and cons for each of them.
Top 5 Innovative Facility Management Trends
Eco-Friendly Cleaning Practices
A survey conducted across 2,000 office workers in the U.S found that 75% of employees wanted more environmentally friendly offices. A good cleaning program helps remove germs, dust, allergens and infectious agents. Many cleaning products contain harsh chemicals that may present health and environmental concerns which has led to an increased awareness and higher expectation for eco-friendly practices in the workplace.
Drone Technology
A drone is a term that refers to an aircraft that operates autonomously with minimal human assistance. Robotics, specifically drones, are no longer reserved for science fiction. They’re quickly proving to be game changers from the future! They allow building owners and facility managers opportunities to reshape facility management practices with precision and safety like never before. This new facility management technology may be the solution to reducing manual operations and enhancing productivity.
Autonomous Equipment
RPA, or autonomous equipment can be used for a variety of tasks to manage a facility and requires minimal supervision. It has proven to be beneficial for facility management because these types of equipment can roam completely wirelessly and independently. This can result in higher productivity for human workers and potential cost savings over time.
Data Analytics & AI
A survey conducted with 500 U.S facility decision makers from various industries showed that 78% deployed smart building technology, and the same percentage (78%) saw an increase in energy efficiency and cost reduction. Data analytics and AI can complement each other to deliver real-time data for insights into how various systems within a facility are optimizing performance while lowering their carbon footprint. Identifying trends and behaviors in energy usage and operations can help facilities generate solutions to improve productivity.
Integrated Mobile Cloud & Smart IoT Devices
Integrated mobile cloud solutions allow operations to collect, integrate and view data in one centralized system to ensure a seamless workflow. Smart IoT devices allow facilities to automate systems and sense energy usage in buildings. These smart building automation systems can reduce energy usage in commercial buildings by up to 30%! Implementing an IoT solution can help facility managers scale their businesses efficiently, maintain a closer pulse on the safety and environment of their space, reduce operating costs, and create an overall agile working environment.
Which FM trend is best for your business?
As facility management best practices and trends continue to emerge, unique opportunities are presented to adapt, innovate, and thrive in this evolving industry. Selecting the right solution for your facility and industry can be a complex task. Before implementing any new trend or solution, it’s important to thoroughly research its pros and cons to ensure you’re choosing the best fit for your business.
The key takeaway? Embrace new changes and opportunities as we navigate the future of facilities management.
At Dexterra, we follow new trends closely and identify areas of improvement within our operations to determine the most productive solutions for our clients. Connect with us today to discuss how we can implement these new FM trends!
