The new job of Facility Managers becomes smarter and smarter.

The workplace world is constantly evolving, environments are changing and even jobs take on hybrid characteristics. In many enterprises, the role of the Facility Manager is first-hand experiencing these changes.

Who is and what is the perimeter of this role which isn’t new but becoming increasingly important? According to the definition of the International Facility Management Association (IFMA),

the FM is the one who has the task of ensuring “functionality, comfort, safety, security and efficiency of the environment by integrating people, place, process and technology”. In practice, the FM defines the times and methods of structures maintenance, coordinates the service staff, manages the budget dedicated to the latter, and in short, he/she has to meet the efficiency required by the work environment. The services are related to utilities, physical infrastructures and whatever improves the workplace conditions.

The first step towards the digital world, in the Facility Management and Real Estate field in general, is connected to energy efficiency; this theme has facilitated the first digitalization wave and it has highlighted the benefits in terms of efficiency. In the new buildings, the implementation of smart solutions is often mandatory and the areas destinated to offices are equipped to become intelligent, and moreover scalable and designed for the new way of working, since organizations aim to flexibility.

Consequentially, the role of the FM is also involved following the current digitalization processes and it is increasingly related to services based on software solutions, cloud, Internet of Things and Artificial Intelligence. Today, this role should be more properly defined as Smart Facility Manager.

The new SFM, through the use of software and intelligent solutions, is engaged in optimizing management and maintenance costs, in reducing risks and generating innovation and value, as well as in creating a more performing environment.

In fact, these smart places allow the constant monitoring of systems and data, so as to promptly intervene in the face of failures or problems or even to prevent them.

An example of energy efficiency is the smart meeting room that can pre-arrange the space to accommodate people, by managing the lights, activating the air conditioning system in advance and turning it off at the end of the meeting or by warning participants of upcoming meetings, but also by sending automatic alarms to the FM if any extraordinary maintenance is required.

Hot Desking and Hoteling concepts are practical and functional examples of the digital revolution in the workplace, in particular when linked to the smart lockers usage in this environment. Many companies are adopting a coworking similar structure in terms of the agile way in which they are managing and using the spaces: thanks to an internet connected smartphone, an employee can book/use workstations and lockers only on the days he/she is present in the office.

The focus is always on “resources efficiency improvement”, or in this case, the efficiency of square meters and the reduction of the associated fixed costs.