As campus buildings age, facilities leaders in higher education face mounting pressure: balancing limited budgets, aging infrastructure, and growing expectations from stakeholders. The real challenge? Creating capital improvement plans that are data-driven, defensible, and future-focused.
This is where Facility Condition Assessment (FCA) software comes in—and why institutions across the country are turning to Solutions for Higher Education, such as the FOUNDATION Solution from Intellis, to modernize how they assess, plan, and invest in their facilities.
Smarter Capital Planning for Colleges and Universities Starts Here
In this blog, we'll explore five key ways FCA software transforms how colleges and universities manage capital planning.
Centralize Inspection Data and Ditch the Spreadsheets
Facility managers at colleges often juggle multiple campuses, hundreds of buildings, and an overwhelming amount of condition data—usually tracked in static spreadsheets. This outdated method makes it hard to analyze trends, justify investments, or even locate essential data.
With the FOUNDATION Solution, your team gains a centralized, cloud-based platform for inputting, accessing, and updating facility data in real-time. Our mobile-ready software streamlines inspections with dynamic digital checklists, enabling faster and more accurate data capture—whether you're in the office or out in the field.
Build Data-Backed, Defensible Capital Plans
Securing funding for capital projects often requires making a compelling case to a board, state agency, or financial planner. With FOUNDATION, you can create scenario-based funding models that show exactly how much to invest, where to invest it, and what happens if you delay.
The system's advanced algorithms help you:
- Forecast long-term needs
- Prioritize based on criticality and risk
- Maintain a healthy Facility Condition Index (FCI)
- Align capital improvement plans with institutional goals
You'll have the data and documentation to support every funding request confidently.
Automate Preventive Maintenance and Extend Asset Life
Routine maintenance is often one of the first things to fall through the cracks—yet it's the key to avoiding costly surprises.
FOUNDATION enables you to automate preventive maintenance schedules, track asset performance, and monitor useful life across your entire portfolio. From HVAC systems in science labs to roofs on residence halls, your team will know what needs attention before failure occurs.
Bonus: Technicians can use mobile devices to upload images, update condition scores, and close work orders on the spot—no more juggling cameras, notebooks, or spreadsheets.
Empower On-the-Go Facility Teams with Mobile Tech
On a college campus, facility managers can't always afford to be stuck at their desks. FOUNDATION was built mobile-first, giving your team access to inspection tools, asset data, and reporting features from any device.
Whether walking through a dormitory or reviewing lab equipment, staff can:
- Capture and upload photos
- Score asset conditions on the spot
- Update deficiencies
- Sync everything to the cloud instantly
This mobile-first approach enhances efficiency, minimizes downtime, and enables accurate on-the-go facility intelligence.
Make Data the Foundation of Every Capital Decision
With FOUNDATION, your institution can transition from reactive maintenance and siloed data to strategic, data-driven capital planning. You'll gain visibility into your full asset lifecycle—helping you:
- Justify major investments
- Identify cost-saving opportunities
- Plan with confidence, even under budget constraints
Your facilities team can deliver more accurate, timely, and strategic plans that align with academic and operational goals.
Why Intellis?
At Intellis, we understand the complexities of managing higher education facilities. That's why our FOUNDATION Solution is designed to support your team every step of the way—from assessment to funding approval to execution.
Want to learn more? Listen to our CEO discuss the power of justifiable capital plans on the Intellis Podcast.
Ready to Transform Your Capital Planning Process?
Let us show you how FOUNDATION can simplify your assessments, improve your maintenance strategy, and empower smarter decisions.
--
Additional Resources
- How to Improve Your Preventive Maintenance Program
- Strategic Facility Planning for Colleges and Universities
- Trends Impacting Higher Education
- Challenges in Higher Education Facilities Management
- [Coming Soon] Understanding the Facility Condition Index (FCI)
