Impact of IoT on Facility Management

The Internet of Things has the potential to transform facility management by allowing for more efficient resource use and increased productivity. This includes the ability to lower energy costs, optimize workplace capacity and utilization, respond to service requests more quickly, and improve employee quality of life.

 

The process of managing a company's real estate, including buildings, grounds, and other properties, is known as facility management. Facility managers' responsibilities can range from building maintenance to project planning.

 

Today's facilities managers must be able to react quickly to changes in technology and industry trends more than ever before. That is exactly what the new and improved IoT-enabled facility management system can help you with!

 

 

Facility Management Software Trends

 

The tools and services that support the functionality, safety, and sustainability of buildings, grounds, infrastructure, and real estate are referred to as facilities management. Lease management, including lease administration and accounting, is part of facilities management.

 

Given the variety of tasks that a facility manager must complete or supervise on a daily basis, most businesses rely on technology to provide exceptional service to customers or guests.

 

FM software becomes more complex and multi-functional as new innovations and devices emerge. To remain at the forefront of digital transformation, these are some of the trends of facility management system :

 

1. Mobile Compatibility

 

Developing custom mobile apps to access facility-related data is critical for flexibility and response time. The ability to monitor the status of all critical operations at the facility at any time increases workplace flexibility and productivity while also assisting managers in decision-making.

 

Managers can better control the communication process, multitask, and manage complex workloads this way.

 

2. Integrations with third-party services

 

Businesses are looking for the most cost-effective ways to integrate facility management systems into their infrastructure. They are looking for adaptable systems that can be linked to all of the existing tools on site. 

 

Integrations are extremely convenient, cost-effective, and resource-efficient because they allow for the addition of new functionality without jeopardizing the integrity of existing infrastructure and data systems. Furthermore, integrated applications reduce employee training time and the learning curve.

 

3. Tools for AI and Predictive Analytics

 

Technology and data assist facility managers in making critical decisions. Companies can plan for the long term, replace dysfunctional equipment without causing bottlenecks or downtime at the facility, and eliminate human error from the decision-making process thanks to predictive analytics.

 

Supply chain managers can gather employee performance, resource usage, customer satisfaction, and other important metrics and derive important insights by combining the IoT for facilities monitoring and AI for IoT data analytics. As a result, decision-making is no longer a trial-and-error process, but rather a calculated one.

 

4. Enhanced Security

 

Given the tightening grip on data protection and security, failure to comply with regulations can expose businesses to massive fines. Companies use advanced security protocols to ensure complete protection against data leaks.

 

A functional smart facility software should include: 

 

• Authentication layers that aid in determining the identity of users who log into the system;

 

• Customizable data access permissions: a manager can grant selective permission to view data entries.

 

• A system for detecting and flagging security threats, such as blocking unauthorized users and noticing suspicious behavior patterns.

 

 

5. Cloud Computing

 

It is estimated that cloud computing reduces facility operating costs by 40% on average. Cloud-based applications give facility managers more flexibility by enabling them to access work-related data, monitor, and manage processes while away from the office. 

 

Because all data is stored on remote servers that can be accessed from any device, cloud applications provide scalability and reliability while lowering potential costs associated with data loss and system failures.

 

 

How the IoT and the digital revolution can improve Facility Management

 

The ability to do more with less is one of the numerous advantages of IoT in facility management. Many businesses are increasing their use of IoT and analytics to improve operations and save money. 

 

There are numerous concrete ways in which IoT can improve facility management. They are as follows:

 

1. Intellectual problem detection and resolution

 

Many people, more often than not, wait until something is broken before attempting to repair it. This reactive approach can be extremely costly. Facility management teams can now be proactive and more efficient by detecting problems early on before they become costly to repair or replace.

 

Almost every system, product, and machine generates data. Monitoring this data in real-time will alert management if something is wrong – or about to go wrong – so that the problem can be addressed immediately. Real-time contextual data assists in troubleshooting potentially costly issues so that they can be addressed as soon as possible.

 

For example, if there is an energy spike in a room, Facilio's machine learning module will detect it and immediately notify the manager, providing enough insight to determine the root cause. They can then quickly dispatch technicians to resolve the issue. This quick action can save thousands of dollars.

 

2. Decisions based on data and automated analysis

 

Building automation systems generate massive amounts of data. When assessed and analyzed, this data can provide transparency and assist management in making more informed decisions.

 

Property managers can gain a complete picture of what is going on in their buildings and make evidence-based decisions. Information is a powerful tool that, when used correctly, can boost productivity and ROI, and assist management in making better decisions faster.

 

3. Optimization of Predictive and Preventive Maintenance

 

All building equipment and machinery wears out and becomes less efficient over time. Predictive analytics and machine learning can assist in the maintenance of these high-value assets, extending their life and improving their performance throughout their lifecycle. 

 

By anticipating when assets and systems require attention, IoT can assist facility managers in implementing predictive maintenance. By predicting when assets and systems are likely to fail, this process can even prevent costly repairs from occurring in the first place. 

 

Predictive algorithms and machine learning techniques use historical data to predict when a specific asset will require maintenance, such as a tune-up, recalibration, or a major overhaul. IoT assists in optimizing the smooth operation of a building's operating systems, preventing breakdowns, and maintaining operational efficiency.

 

4. Increased labour productivity

 

Prompting a significant boost in workforce productivity, there is an integral impact of IoT in the workforce. This boost in productivity often leads to higher labor ROI and employee satisfaction. 

 

Buildings that use IoT, whether an industrial unit, a manufacturing facility, or an office space, can improve the work environment and increase employee engagement and happiness. A happy worker is a productive worker, as the saying goes.

 

Advanced infrastructures that use asset tracking technology with real-time data can manage HVAC systems more effectively, resulting in more comfortable workers and less money spent. Furthermore, IoT-enabled buildings can provide real-time access to employee locations, occupancy data, workflows, and worker inefficiencies.

 

5. Energy consumption has been reduced

 

Buildings consume a large portion of the world's energy resources, and governments are tightening regulations and increasing oversight of energy consumption. 

 

Building portfolios enabled by IoT can capture and analyze energy usage and provide actionable solutions that significantly improve energy efficiency. By analyzing local weather patterns and employee usage data, building managers can optimize a building's lighting, temperature, ventilation, and HVAC systems.

 

As a result, energy consumption is reduced, costs are saved, and the workplace environment is improved. Furthermore, by tracking energy consumption and usage on a granular level in real-time, management can reduce their carbon footprint and actively work toward energy sustainability.

 

Also Read | Uses of IoT in Energy Sector

 

The use of IoT in Facility Management

 

Below are some of the applications of IoT in facility management :

 

1. Embedded sensors in devices and buildings

 

The deployment of embedded sensors in devices and buildings is one of the most useful applications of IoT in facility management. These smart sensors can be connected to doors, lights, windows, and buildings, and they can monitor certain aspects of HVAC systems as well as a variety of other critical assets.

 

This way, users can be optimized, resulting in energy savings that can help a company achieve carbon neutrality. Similarly, sensors embedded in entrance areas and doors can assist in determining the total number of people inside the building at any given time.

 

2. Room Scheduling and Reservations

 

Another popular IoT application is room reservations, which aid in the optimal utilization of indoor spaces through the use of intelligent scheduling tools known as occupancy management.

 

With the help of a scheduling calendar and a visual floor plan depicting free spaces throughout the workplace, employees can now see which rooms are booked or available in real-time. This type of occupancy management also provides useful data, providing employers with an accurate picture of how their facility is being used.

 

3. Inventory tracking and utilization

 

Having an overview of stock levels for units and parts is critical for service companies to provide quick service. This knowledge helps to maintain SLAs, keep clients happy, and build trust. 

 

Companies can use CMMS systems like Azolla to tag assets into specific locations by using technologies like NFC (Near Field Connectivity) or QR Codes. This location can be designated as storage and scanned and allocated to parent assets and/or work schedules as needed.

 

4. System of Safety

 

Finally, when it comes to IoT, safety and security systems are another useful application. It is useful for remote monitoring of smoke detectors, alarms, and other life-safety systems. It transmits real-time information about an emergency, a fire, or a crisis, as well as other safety devices.

 

As a result, these applications are extremely beneficial in remote facilities, particularly in manufacturing and high-risk environments.

 

Also Read | IoT in Traffic Management

 

 

Challenges of IoT in Facility Management

 

While IoT and automation have many benefits and are opening up many new possibilities, facilities managers should be aware of the specific barriers and challenges that come with them. Below are some of the challenges faced by IoT in facility management.

 

1. Device compatibility: In order to be successful, IoT requires a complex and diverse set of technology partners to collaborate. 

 

Connecting useful legacy HVAC equipment to smart thermostats, data centers, and other mobile networks can be difficult before seeing proper ROI and improved performance. 

 

As a result, it is critical to work on testing, testing, and testing. Interoperability tests can determine whether or not devices can communicate with one another while also identifying performance issues and security vulnerabilities.

 

2. Initial cost implications: As FM requirements evolve, there will be a greater need for advanced technologies and digital solutions. Given the additional technology involved with IoT devices, the high initial costs can be a barrier for many facilities on a tight budget. 

 

Fire extinguishers with smart sensors, for example, are more expensive than conventional extinguishers. As a result, facilities managers need options at various price points and packages to implement IoT and automation solutions and scale them up as their budgets grow and they see more ROI from them.

 

3. Security flaws: The increased adoption of IoT, automation, and other technologies introduces a new challenge: security threats. The more intelligent a building becomes, the more vulnerable it becomes. 

 

Data security is a major challenge for facility managers as they become more reliant on IoT and related technologies and applications, especially in the face of sophisticated attacks. 

 

As a result, close collaboration between facilities managers and IT professionals is essential for developing and implementing comprehensive cybersecurity strategies, which are becoming increasingly important as information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) merge (OT). 

 

In today's world, it is not necessary to have an Oz-like figure behind a curtain to create and manage a fully integrated and digitized IoT smart building. Instead, it calls for a concerted effort by management to set clear and actionable goals.

 

IoT can dramatically improve operating systems that were previously time consuming and inefficient to operate, whether it's a small facility or multiple buildings. When done correctly, facilities management can be transformed into a highly automated, integrated system that benefits tenants, management, and the owner.