Are you still using spreadsheets and manual processes to manage work orders and facility data? Are you bogged down by menial tasks that could be automated? Are you tired of sifting through incomplete data?
If you answered yes to any (or all) of the above, you should know that there’s a better way.
The future of facilities management is upon us, and that means one thing: digital transformation. From automation to AI, there’s no shortage of solutions that can help simplify, streamline, and optimize maintenance management. But how do you know which maintenance management trends are right for your facility?
If you’re ready to leave outdated processes in the past and start planning for the future, we’re here to help. This guide examines actionable digital transformation strategies for facilities, the challenges of antiquated systems, and the benefits of implementing facility management software so you can take the right steps forward for your facility.
Digital transformation might sound like a buzzword, but the truth is, everything is digital in this day and age—including facility management.
Now, we know what you’re thinking: Taking the leap from manual processes to software, or even switching from one software to another, is incredibly overwhelming. It takes time to implement a new system and get buy-in from your team. Choosing not to upgrade, however, comes with its own set of challenges that should be considered.
Ahh, the spreadsheet. This trusty method of tracking has long been used by facilities managers to track work orders and organize data. But this type of manual, outdated tracking is riddled with risks and challenges, including:
Now, let’s say you already have a CMMS in place, but it’s not serving you well. You may run into additional issues, such as:
See more on the most common facility management roadblocks and how you can avoid them.
Those challenges can quickly become yesterday’s news when you adopt an effective FM software that can take your organization to the next level. The right maintenance management system can make processes seamless and your organization more nimble when it comes to adapting over time.
As the built environment continues to expand and become more intricate with different technology integrations and human movement patterns, having a comprehensive software to best equip facility managers and their employees or vendors will be crucial to effectively maintaining all the moving parts within an organization.
When conceptualized, a facility’s ecosystem can best be seen as an complex network with operational value - the more automated manual, tedious tasks are and more consolidated data is to make smarter business decisions, the higher a facility’s operational value is. Increasing the overall operational value and efficiency of your organization with a facility management software that has a singular, comprehensive view into all the moving parts is key to achieving success for both employees and end-users.
There are many specific benefits of upgrading, many of which you’ll notice almost immediately. Here’s more -
After considering the benefits of implementing facilities management software, you’ll need to consider which type is right for your facility.
There are quite a few acronyms to know when it comes to facility management software: CAFM, CMMS, EAM, and beyond. But, what’s far more important than what these acronyms stand for is what each of these systems does.
Computer-Aided Facility Management software is a broad category that includes software solutions that help facility operators manage all aspects of the built environment. This is essentially the support of facility management through information technology. An effective CAFM software centralizes a facility’s systems, data, and tools in a single platform with the aim of accurately tracking data and processes to better serve the organization’s strategic business goals.
A Computerized Maintenance Management System is software that helps facilities manage assets, track inventory, schedule maintenance, and monitor work orders. Incorporating a CMMS is one step you can take to modernize your facility’s maintenance repair operations, and we’d go as far as saying a solid CMMS is essential for facilities in industries where physical infrastructure is critical, such as manufacturing, power generation, construction, and transportation. Central to any CMMS is its database, which organizes information regarding assets, equipment, materials, and other resources that need to be tracked in order to ensure a smooth operation.
Enterprise Asset Management is a combination of software, systems, and services used to manage asset lifecycles. The main focus of EAMs is centralizing information to facilitate and automate maintenance management. EAM and CMMS are often confused, but they are not the same—a CMMS (like FlowPath) can be one aspect of an EAM. Enterprise asset management is important for organizations that have to manage a large number of assets, as it helps organizations track, assess, manage, and optimize asset quality.
When choosing a facility management software, you’ll want to consider the benefits and drawbacks of each. Want to learn more about how to choose the right facilities management software? Check out our blog, Uncomplicating CAFM Software: How to Choose the Best FM Software.
When it comes to the future, there’s one software to rule them all: FlowPath! Our facility management software is unlike anything else on the market because it was designed with you—facility managers—in mind.
The remarkable thing about FlowPath is that it eliminates the need for all of those confusing acronyms mentioned above. Our platform does it all—it’s like the operating system of facilities management software because it truly increases your facility’s operational value, encompassing everything from work order, equipment, and inventory management to maintenance schedules and automated reporting. And, as your facility continues to grow and evolve, our software can scale right along with you. Our ultimate purpose is to lighten your load so you have more time to focus on big-picture items without getting bogged down by the basics.
The better question might be, “What can’t FlowPath do?” Our versatile, comprehensive software was designed to make your life as a facility manager easier. Because when you increase operational efficiency, you create operational value—which includes more intangible benefits like increased team happiness, trust, transparency, and tenure throughout the organization. Call it a win-win-win.
Here’s how FlowPath works to help you accomplish all of the above:
While FlowPath’s features are certainly compelling, what really sets our software apart is the team behind it. Our founders set out to create “a facility management product hyper-focused on changing the way people were able to manage their facilities and operations, in turn making their work lives a whole lot better and more approachable.” And so FlowPath was born in January of 2020 to accomplish exactly that.
Our team is incredibly passionate about innovation, and we’re dedicated to always improving, updating, and optimizing the FlowPath experience. This is one of the reasons why we prioritize customer service—and also why our customers love us.
“The software is intuitive and very user-friendly. Customer service is top-notch. An absolute must for anyone who is looking for a Work Order Management system.” – Brooke V., Operations Manager Physical Plant, Education
We can’t predict the future of facility management, but we can help modernize your facility’s processes so you can work more efficiently. Take your facility to the next level today, tomorrow, and beyond with FlowPath.
Schedule a demo today and see what FlowPath can do for you.