Technology offers long-term savings

While uncertainty continues to shadow the decision of working from home/office, these decisions  often made at global levels  will have thorough implications on the budgets being allocated for FM in India

Many have found success in the work-from-home culture which allows for reduction of overheads, but many have also realized that the office space cannot be replaced as it contributes to a plethora of needs beyond just supporting infrastructure. If the latter prevails, increased frequency of housekeeping and sanitisation procedures, heightened security and surveillance protocols, contactless machinery, fumigation & deep cleaning, and use of specialized chemicals are a few areas that will increase FM expenses at future workplaces. If the former prevails, we will see a reduction in the need for housekeeping manpower which will allow for redirection of budgets toward the following aspects:

“The pandemic has allowed most to realize the need for remote access and cloud-integrated technology. Especially for a complex role like FM that involves multiple geographies and an abundance of paperwork, having a centralized team equipped with technology is the future of proficient FM.”

Pradeep Lala
MD & CEO, Embassy Services

Technology

The pandemic has allowed most to realize the need for remote access and cloud-integrated technology. Especially for a complex role like FM that involves multiple geographies and an abundance of paperwork, having a centralized team equipped with technology is the future of proficient FM.

There has to be a good budget set aside to integrate customised technology tools bolstered by the use of IoT-based sensors and Cloud technology. These will allow organisations to pursue a transparent, data-centric, and highly efficient style of facility management. When analysed in the long-term with aspects to equipment life cycle and AMC expenses, it leads to more savings for organisations.

Compliance

The strict and ever-changing laws and protocols established by government bodies require organizations to spend more time and effort on being compliant. While most organizations use in-house teams and resources to run their FM ops, the dynamic changes of the function might require these firms to look at outsourcing the process to a professional team with dedicated expertise.

Sustainability

Good organizations find immense value in being ‘green.’ There will have to be more spend incurred towards the procurement of environmental certifications, which will require new technologies and practices that enable them to qualify for these global standards of space management.