Unified Data: The Secret Weapon of Successful Buildings and Facilities Managers

Businesses around the world are progressing on the journey to a more digitally connected workplace by connecting their buildings, assets, and people; where they aren’t slowed down or held back by a lack of visibility or context because they can confidently manage all of their operations from one unified solution. They are exploring the potential of integrated worktech to completely transform how their workplaces operate and mapping out the best path forward. In fact, research shows that more than 50% of businesses surveyed have implemented—or are moving toward implementing—an integrated platform.

Integrated Platforms Solve Bigger Problems Across a Wider Range of Use Cases Than Single Solutions

Even though the adoption of integrated solutions is on the rise, a sizeable percentage of companies are struggling to get there. Some are still digitizing manual processes. Others are combatting the challenges associated with complex tech stacks.

Despite generating more enterprise data than ever before, the adoption of multiple, standalone systems means that their information is coming from multiple sources, resulting in sectioned-off visibility and limited accessibility. This can either leave buildings and facilities managers in the dark and prevent cross-functional teams from taking full advantage of their operational data, or at the very least, greatly slow down their turn-around time. In fact, one survey found that 80% of businesses had departments that were operating in silos.

And that’s a big problem for today’s buildings and facilities managers, who are deeply focused on bringing value to every part of their operations, from asset management to the built environment to the workplace experience.

To address this, businesses are moving away from standalone software and closed-off datasets, investing instead in a comprehensive suite of asset and workplace solutions.

Interoperability and Cross-functional Benefits

Enterprises are looking to significantly improve communication and collaboration among different departments and teams. To do so, everyone—maintenance technicians, workplace planners, finance leaders, on-site employees, and building and asset managers—needs to be able to access and contribute to the same database.

Unifying building and asset management data helps streamline many operational processes, minimize errors and delays, and delivers down-stream value to end-users. For example, connecting the front-of-house workspace and meeting room booking app with the back-of-house maintenance work order system automates the process of creating work order tickets, making it seamless and efficient. This allows technicians to easily access information about enterprise assets across different locations—floors, sites, or global portfolios—using digital maps and floorplans. As a result, technicians can optimize their time for servicing and repairing tasks by quickly identifying the precise location of assets. This interoperability and tailored experience will drive adoption, and all of the valuable information that’s captured will allow decision-makers to track performance, control costs, and make progress on sustainability initiatives.

Mobility is one vital aspect of enterprise maintenance, accommodating the on-the-go nature of technicians, employees, and maintenance managers. Integrated solutions that match the mobility of the team’s needs will offer immediate work documentation, enhance real-time data precision, and boost operational efficiency. According to IDC, mobile work applications that connect with scheduling and assignment systems help minimize lag time between assignments and ensure that work assignments are prioritized in the right order.

Integrating asset operations with workplace data enables real-time monitoring and tracking of asset performance, so building and asset managers can quickly identify and address problems before they escalate, which reduces asset downtime and associated costs. Not only does this efficiency and productivity, but also ensures compliance with regulations and improves asset reliability and availability. For asset-heavy enterprises—which face complex regulations, facility security, and sustainability targets—access to up-to-date information about asset conditions and performance is crucial.

Facilities managers can use integrated solutions to capture a comprehensive list of assets, set up tasks based on manufacturers' recommendations and historical data, delegate tasks according to skill sets, and track progress using key performance indicators. Effective inventory management is another benefit, with modern cloud-based platforms providing accurate inventory data across multiple locations.

Linking Facilities and Maintenance Functions to Broader Business Objectives

Governments and markets worldwide are intensifying pressure on companies to adopt greener practices, yet around 40% of businesses are struggling with competing priorities due to economic climate or with the costs of sustainable technology and solutions. A study on sustainability and employment revealed that 71% of prospective employees prefer environmentally friendly employers, with 67% more likely to apply to sustainable companies.

Integrated solutions provide businesses with valuable information and context about the state of their assets, enabling better tracking of asset performance, maintenance schedules, and data-driven decision-making.

Leaders benefit from more advanced reporting and data analytics capabilities with an integrated platform. For example, receiving insights into asset performance and usage, which can be used to optimize asset utilization and identify cost-saving opportunities. With detailed information on costs, downtime, parts, materials, and labor, companies are better prepared to make informed decisions about asset procurement, maintenance, and replacement.

The shift towards integrated platforms is also driven by the search for advanced data strategies and deeper business insights to address the complex challenges enterprises are facing while meeting their sustainability targets.

Buildings are responsible for a large part of an organization’s footprint. They account for 39% of global carbon emissions. Integrated platforms can help leaders optimize the energy profile, health profile, and occupancy profile of their buildings and facilities. Occupancy data can be used to adjust heating, cooling, lighting, and cleaning based on actual needs, cutting energy consumption. And preventive maintenance programs supported by these platforms extend asset life, reduce material and part usage, and minimize waste, which lowers carbon emissions.

Buildings and facilities managers can greatly improve their building and asset management by connecting all of their data into a unified platform that provides real-time access to the information they need. This modern approach helps connect facility operations to bigger business goals, including helping with sustainability efforts and capitalizing on the many opportunities ahead.