Maximize efficiencies, overall experience, sustainability, performance and much more
Samar Kawar serves as UG2’s Senior Vice President of Information Technology. In Facility Executive’s recent article, she highlights the numerous benefits Facility Managers can reap by utilizing The Internet of Things (IoT).
In “The Cost of NOT Investing In IoT”, Samar explains that too few facilities are using IoT to its fullest potential. With the data, insights, and automation it offers, it should be the obvious choice. But, in many cases, managers are intimidated by the concept of rapidly changing technology and the cost of implementing it. But, in reality, NOT investing in IoT can create much more damage than any potential costs or risks.
START WITH THE STRATEGY
IoT can be used in many different ways, so it’s important to establish which areas are most aligned with your facility’s goals. Samar breaks down some common IoT uses:
1. OCCUPANT EXPERIENCE: COMFORT AND SAFETY
It’s not surprising that Covid-19 has affected how comfortable occupants feel about returning to office spaces on a regular basis. One study showed 87% of employees don’t want to return to their workplace full-time. Samar highlights that facility management must do everything possible to make spaces more inviting to occupants.
With fewer people occupying facilities, technologies like sensors and QR codes can help minimize the possibility of risks. Samar provides some examples:
- Automatically alerting janitorial staff about restocking needs
- Triggering heating and cooling systems
- Controlling lighting based on occupancy
- Detecting air quality levels
- Submitting service request tickets via cellphones
- Requiring QR codes to access specific areas
2. ENERGY SAVINGS AND SUSTAINABILITY
Not only does 35% of electricity used in the U.S. go towards commercial buildings, but roughly 30% of the energy buildings use goes to waste. Samar explains that IoT can help eliminate waste and costs.
- Smart thermostats can control temperature and lighting based on occupancy and trends.
- Internet-connected window shades can be triggered by light levels to open or close.
- Sensors can help regulate indoor climate control in order to lessen power consumption.
Reducing emissions both helps the planet and marketability since many tenants consider sustainability to be an extremely important factor when leasing space.
3. WORKFORCE ALLOCATION AND PERFORMANCE
The daily occupancy of a facility can be unpredictable. Because of this, facility managers need to be able to make efficient decisions about workforce allocation. In today’s world, workforce shortages are prevalent, so making the best use of talent is key.
Samar tells us that IoT allows facilities to adjust to real-time needs and enhance performance. An example of this is sensing the occupancy of areas to ensure janitors are not over or under-cleaning. Also, when equipment is connected to the internet, it can be monitored remotely so engineers can report to more urgent needs.
When in-person attention is required, janitors and engineers can use Near Field Communications (NFC) tags that time/date stamp and log their location into a system so managers can track it. NFC tags can also track employee movement to measure productivity.
4. PROLONGING EQUIPMENT LIFE
Samar explains that preventative maintenance is fundamental to minimize costs and keep equipment healthy for as long as possible. IoT helps monitor equipment, analyze trends, predict when components need replacing, and send alerts to technicians.
Partner With an Innovative Facility Services Provider
With more extensive use of IoT comes a larger set of data which poses the risk of information overload. AI tools can sort through data to locate relevant points and generate suggestions. Data analysts or facility service partners can also assist in managing the data.
All in all, Samar reiterates that the smartest choice for facility management is to invest in IoT in order to lower costs, increase efficiency, and attract/retain tenants. Finding the right service partner with IoT knowledge and experience is the first step in creating a successful plan for your facility.
For more information about how technology plays a crucial role in facility management, read the full article at Facility Executive, or get in touch with TeamUG2.
Resources
rs.ivanti.com/reports/ivi-2663-everywhere-workplace-report-2022.pdf
www.energy.gov/eere/buildings/about-commercial-buildings-integration-program