What does a Facility Management Company Do?
Today, organisations are increasingly becoming more specialised by taking strategic calls to focus on their core capabilities, while outsourcing other activities. They are doing this to ensure that they become generally more efficient and profitable by investing more resources on their areas of strength, while letting other important areas be handled by experts who specialise in those areas. One such area that is peripheral yet essential for many organisations is facility management.
• What is Facility Management?
Facility management is an integrated approach to managing an organisation’s physical assets, such as buildings and equipment, as well as other similar resources. It involves planning, organising and controlling the use of such resources in order to ensure efficient and cost-effective operations. Facility managers must maintain a balance between making the physical environment more functional and making it safer and more comfortable for the people who use it.
A key goal of facility management is to ensure that the organisation’s buildings, facilities and equipment are maintained in good condition and are used in a way that effectively supports their core operations. This includes optimising the use of resources, minimising the cost of operations and maintaining the organisation’s operations in accordance with legal and regulatory requirements.
• Services Offered by Facility Management Companies
Facility management companies provide a variety of services, depending on the needs of the organisation. These services can include:
- Building maintenance and repairs
- Security and safety services
- Energy management
- Housekeeping services
- Waste management
- Landscaping and grounds maintenance
- Supply chain and logistics management
- Asset management
Certain facility management companies also provide integrated facility management services, which involve the coordination of all of the above services. This can include the management of multiple service activities, such as security, cleaning and waste management.
• The Role of a Facility Manager
The role of a facility manager is to ensure that the organisation’s physical assets are well-maintained and used efficiently. To do so, a facility manager must have a wide range of knowledge and skills, including an understanding of building systems, maintenance and safety regulations.
A facility manager must be able to develop and implement plans for the maintenance and improvement of the organisation’s buildings, facilities and equipment. They must also be able to assess the organisation’s needs and identify potential problems. A facility manager must also be able to manage and coordinate the activities of multiple service providers, such as security and cleaning services.
• Qualities of a Successful Facility Management Company
An effective facility management company must have a deep understanding of the organisation’s needs and goals as well as the workings of the facility’s subsystems. They must be able to develop and implement plans to maintain and improve facilities by enabling a proactive and efficient approach. They must also have a strong knowledge of the laws and regulations related to the organisation’s operations.
In addition, a successful facility management team possesses strong interpersonal and communication skills. They must be able to communicate effectively with the organisation’s stakeholders, including employees, vendors and customers. They must also be able to manage and coordinate the activities of multiple service providers.
Finally, a successful facility management company must be able to provide a high level of customer service. It must be responsive to the organisation’s needs and be able to provide prompt and effective solutions.
• Benefits of Integrated Facility Management
Integrated Facility Management (IFM) offers a variety of benefits for organisations that implement it. Some of the most significant benefits include:
Increased efficiency: IFM streamlines the management of multiple facilities and services, which can lead to more efficient use of resources and lower costs.
Improved communication: IFM often involves the use of a centralised system for managing facilities, which can improve communication between different departments and stakeholders.
Increased flexibility: IFM allows organisations to easily adapt to changing needs and priorities, as well as to respond quickly to unexpected events or emergencies.
Better use of data: With IFM, organisations can collect, analyse and use data more effectively to make informed decisions about their facilities and services.
Better Quality of Service: IFM allows organisations to provide a better quality of service to their customers, tenants, and employees.
Better Compliance: IFM can help organisations meet regulatory requirements and industry standards.
Better sustainability: IFM can help organisations to implement sustainable practices, reduce their environmental impact and meet their sustainability goals.
• Bottomline
A successful facility management company must possess a deep understanding of the organisation’s needs, an array of facility management tools, and the ability to provide a high level of customer service. Hiring an integrated facility management company can prove to be beneficial for organisations wanting to streamline their operations and maximise efficiency at the workplace, without having to coordinate with multiple service providers.
If your organisation is in need of facility management services, reach out to Unify, a reputable and experienced facility management company, to reap the benefits of outsourcing your IFM activities. We can provide you with the services that ensure the efficient and effective operation of your facilities.