These are the five trends that will transform Facility Planning in 2022
Over the past two years, the COVID-19 pandemic altered the world's workings. It accelerated remote work while emphasizing flexibility, the employee experience, and physical and mental health. Digital transformation dominated the Facilities Management sector in 2021.
When it comes to improvements around quality, production, and longevity of physical assets, digital transformation is an unfolding revolution set to continue throughout 2022. As a result, technology and information management play an increasingly important role in facility planning. Accordingly, the newest trends in facility planning echo these shifts.
Here we discuss the top 5 technology trends you need to know about to prepare for the next big wave of digital transformation in facility planning.
1. Intelligent building technology
IoT, or the Internet of Things, collects and exchanges data between physical devices connected via internet protocol. More simply put, it refers to connecting things (machinery, sensors) to the internet.
Sensors are now more affordable, and internet connectivity is faster and more reliable than ever, making the IoT sufficiently accessible that industry experts at Manufacturing Automation predict that the number of connected devices will top 50 billion worldwide.
Additionally, intelligent building technology helps facility managers establish a more habitable, energy-efficient environment, manage building systems and assets, and plan for future needs of the built environment. Further, a recent Forbes report anticipates over 41.6 billion connected devices by 2025.
2. Emerging technologies enhance productivity and collaboration
As we move into a world where everything is connected, this new "smart infrastructure" will need to be equipped with asset and facility management tools capable of dealing with the scale and lifecycle of dispersed, yet connected, physical assets.
In the metaverse, technologies that use artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and augmented reality will help to bridge the gap between the virtual and the physical workplace.
Using Artificial Intelligence to monitor physical assets and gather data makes it easier for Facility Managers to predict the proper lifecycle of capital investments before their performance is affected or before the asset fails. In addition, having this type of data enables facility management teams to perform preventive maintenance more effectively and address possible issues before they become problems.
While we're still years away from this reality, companies are already investing in the technologies that will make it possible — and intelligent leaders are paying attention.
3. Data analytics drive decisions
As innovative building technology rises to the forefront of the latest trends in facilities planning, data analytics will play a more significant role in decision-making.
With the proliferation of the Internet of Things comes a necessity for more innovative analytics, such as Big Data. Advanced analytics with Big Data allows facility planners to gain meaningful takeaways from the constantly collecting information from machinery. The significant benefit is that facility management teams can mine these data sets and easily detect deterioration before it becomes a real problem.
With more accurate data about average occupancy, peak occupancy, and space usage, This data will empower facility planners for corporate real estate to make more strategic decisions about how much space to lease and adjust floor plans to support various scenarios.
4. Expanded building information modeling
Building information modeling (BIM) software maps a physical asset throughout its functional lifecycle, from design and construction to ongoing maintenance. Accordingly, BIM enables architects and facility executives to plan more innovative buildings from the ground up and take a more proactive approach to repairs.
BIM offers massive opportunities for radically improving collaboration and communication for facility managers. Traditionally used by contractors and architects, Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a tool for developing and scaling virtual models of building projects.
Discover more about developing Digital Twins for facility management and capital planning.
While BIM is not a new technology, it is increasingly commonplace in the facility management sector. BIM offers Facility Managers the complete visual model of facilities, physical assets, and infrastructure. As a result, facility professionals are harnessing the power of these tools for project management, delivery, and data accessibility.
When integrated with existing work order programs or facility maintenance software, facility teams realize an improved ability to retrieve accurate asset information and insights.
With data from BIM software, it is possible to reduce costs, improve efficiency, reduce safety risks, and enhance facilities management. In the UK, all public sector projects must implement BIM. More organizations will likely adopt this policy globally in the coming year.
5. The consolidation of workplace technology
Companies will continue to simplify their software and technology as mergers and acquisitions occur. This consolidation will streamline processes and reduce the size of workplace technology stacks.
Rather than implementing dozens of single solutions, facility leaders will examine integrated facility and capital planning solutions that connect many different data sources for a seamless and holistic reporting and planning process.
Conclusion
Facility planning focuses on connecting those who work in the industry and those impacted. These facility management trends demonstrate that employers and service providers are transitioning from transactional to experiential.
These technologies are transforming the facility management industry in significant ways, and it will be exciting to see how these will grow. When it comes to improvements around quality, production, and longevity of physical assets, digital transformation is an unfolding revolution. The FOUNDATION software platform is part of this revolution, and these exciting new developments will change the facility management industry. With FOUNDATION, you will be well-equipped to be at the forefront of this wave of digital transformation.
At Intellis, we keep a sharp eye on technological developments that redefine the future of Facilities Planning. Our mission is to harness the latest advancements with our mobile enterprise solutions, such as FOUNDATION, to provide our clients with the best software solutions to ensure healthy buildings and infrastructure while reducing costs, improving productivity, and boosting sustainability.
