Can Facilities Management Software Really Help Enhance Jobs and Businesses?

Posted on Oct 31 2013 - 12:15am by Adam Shrum

Management

What exactly is facilities management software? You may have heard the term, but why would someone need software to manage a non-moving building? Simply put, FM software is reinforcing the management of facilities through the use of information technology. The main goal of an FM application is to turn the information from the facility into a resource. Even though a building itself is stationary, the parts and people that make it operate have many different functions that need to be tracked.

For business owners who are looking to boost their output, they can consider facilities management software as one of the finest presents they can get. The biggest benefit of an FM solution is that it helps improve relationships between building managers and process owners by providing access to records of their building transactions through the web. It’s also wise to speak with a professional facility manager before embarking on any software solution selection to find out exactly what your company might need.

In all industries related to FM, using facility management applications has indeed become the latest proven approach when it comes to incorporating, comprehending, and adjusting building assets and procedures by senior administrations and company directors.

For any specific time, FM software allows you real time access and entry to all building information including building assets, expenditures, workers, and contracts. Furthermore, it helps in preparing the basic workroom and workers about the responsibilities they need to perform. Interactive skillsets along with planning, business management and engineering are employed. Over time, FM requirements have progressed and a cloud based application running from any web browser has emerged as a stand out feature through compatibility and enhancement.

Other standard features include easy access to reports and configurability to meet the needs of any business model. Like other enterprise level applications the needs analysis, design, beginning of installation, and all the way to first accessing the application are all a long and detailed process. Some FM software has more user friendly interfaces, but less functionality and vice versa. Data associated with an FM system includes HR, Project Management, Building Operations, Finance/Accounting, and other essential departments and process owners. Typically data can be viewed thoroughly with panels which can be modified. A quick menu is also usually made available for fast access to all information.

With facility management software, information along with data files can be easily gathered including extensive files from all throughout the company; making order, planning and preparation, and coming up with reports much easier. Business owners should be able to access this info through their smartphones which makes going through information and relevant details possible both in and out of the office premises.

Dealer and client connections can also be modernized and even better systematized with the use of FM software, as long as partners can view the history of transactions from the internet. This helps businesspeople become more efficient and waste less time. Weariness for staff and colleagues will be reduced while still being able to carry out good relations, have a good reputation, and be one of the skilled and leading companies in the field.

Upon selecting a facilities management application, both parties especially the clients should consider the IT potential of the corporation and if it can successfully handle servicing for the software along with its proper setup.

Managers should also bear in mind how the team will deal with and take care of the function of the software. FM Software can actually be a bit on the expensive side and the clients should also pay attention to possible expenditures and gains since this software, in the long run, can indeed be helpful to businesses and enhance job functions.

Photo Credit: Flickr/Dmitry Barsky

About the Author

By Adam Shrum, IT Manager and analyst at Dynamic CAFM, a Texas based facilities management software provider.