i-FM: The online resource for facilities professionals

 

As end users become more closely involved in the CAFM solution procurement process, their expectations will have a greater influence on system developments.  Business drivers

such as lower cost of ownership and ease of deployment and access will put vendors under increasing pressure to provide web-enabled systems and to make them more accessible and deliverable across the full spectrum of communications technologies.

 

At present, the software solutions from some CAFM suppliers are only web-based for key parts of the system. However, end users should now consider buying from a supplier that has, as part of its offering, a completely web-enabled solution, built with the needs of non-specialist users in mind. While it is readily accepted that it can never offer the same level of rich user experience as a good-quality win product, a true web-enabled CAFM solution allows centralised deployment and control, thus providing cost benefits in terms of infrastructure and IT maintenance, while allowing users the flexibility of access from any web-enabled computer.

 

As working practices evolve, an increasingly influential element of the Facilities management (FM) sector is staffed by remote and mobile workers, who depend on flexible and instant access to information held on the CAFM solution, wherever they are, including at home. They will expect to be able to find this information from their portable devices and mobile handsets via a web browser as a matter of course.

 

CAFM solutions will have a cultural impact on the FM operation, and should remove the need for constant referral, and even physical visits, to head office, and thanks to automated helpdesks, for liberating support staff to focus on more productive activities while addressing the increasing importance of a good work-life balance.

 

Concept Evolution™ from FSI is a web-enabled, complete CAFM solution, retaining the key features, functionality and crucially, compatibility, with previous generations of Concept™ solutions. Concept Evolution™ merges powerful functionality with sophisticated technology to extend facilities management across borders, and optimises process efficiency, accuracy and productivity throughout the FM life-cycle.

 

Easily accessed through a standard web browser, Concept Evolution™ offers an extremely powerful, flexible and easy-to-use software platform that leverages the web to provide a single, integrated view of facilities and maintenance activities across an entire property portfolio.  By centralising data and processes throughout the facility management life-cycle, Concept Evolution™ provides a secure, seamless flow of information across locations, divisions, operations, people and projects.

 

Concept Evolution™ makes critical operational data available on-demand to users in any location. If offers a single, holistic view of all facilities and maintenance activities, and can easily track every location, asset and person: analyse the processes, costs and efforts required for optimal operations, and understand the impact of acquisitions, utilisation, maintenance, improvements, service provision and expenditures.

 

Designed with scalability in mind, Concept Evolution™ functionality is offered through a number of application packs suitable for standalone use through multi-user deployment across a diverse property portfolio. Application packs include: Helpdesk only, Asset Management, Cyclical Maintenance and Facilities Booking.

 

Concept Evolution™ is equally suited to organisations that manage single facility through to a global property portfolio, and for those who focus on a singular aspect of facilities operations or multi-service delivery, for example a PFI project. Concept Evolution™ allows organisations to deliver service on time and on budget, driving significant cost savings that translate to long-term profitability.

 

Key features include: reduced cost of deployment, advanced audit functionality, improved multi-lingual capability, enhanced data segregation, and increased user control and personalisation. 

 

As a fully web-enabled CAFM solution, Concept Evolution™ enables Facilities Managers to continue their journey from relative invisibility within the organisation to active participation in strategic management, often at the highest level. Additionally, web-enablement is also an important factor in the tighter integration of Concept Evolution™ with other key business systems such as buildings maintenance and estates management platforms. The benefits of system integration are already well understood, with close ties between HR and accountancy packages now commonplace, and we can expect to see Concept Evolution™ integration rise swiftly up the agenda as businesses look for more ways to capture and use information that now has a strategic imperative.

 

FM professionals have a far greater appreciation of the value of CAFM integration at a deeper level, and FSI has moved quickly to address this with their Workflow solutions, designed to enable systems to coexist and share information productively. This also helps FM professionals to address cost of ownership issues, which have historically been a topic for debate at board level. Concept Evolution™ can become a central repository for information gathered from a wide range of business systems, and this information is used on the business frontline to assess risk, manage cost and efficiency, and improve productivity. The potential return on investment therefore becomes extremely attractive.

 

As far as the bigger picture is concerned, the future of CAFM is increasingly driven by a more globalised view of the facilities management function and the services it provides. Innovative attitudes and expectations in international markets will be a positive influence on UK CAFM strategies. With Concept Evolution™, global organisations are able to deploy their CAFM solution throughout their infrastructure, regardless of international borders, rather than focusing on individual buildings or premises at a local level, and without any impact on the functionality of the solution.

 

Emerging markets in the world's construction hotspots, particularly Africa, China and the Middle East, are driving a new understanding of the importance of establishing the role of Asset Management at the earliest possible stage in a development. Concept Evolution™ can become an integrated part of the planning process for the way buildings will be used by their occupants.

 

FSI have, with Concept Evolution™, provided a fully web-enabled CAFM solution in response to the growing sophistication of the global market's requirements, bringing CAFM to the fore as the FM service delivery tool of choice around the world. CAFM is emerging as a crucial enabler of, and mechanism for, FM service delivery and excellence.

 

 

Founded in 1990, FSI has long been acknowledged as a leader in the development and delivery of Facilities Management software solutions. Our Concept™ range of CAFM solutions are wholly owned, developed, implemented and supported by FSI.

 

Concept Evolution™ provides clients with a total platform for the design, development and implementation of their rapidly evolving FM strategies, and delivers vital information to FM professionals and colleagues responsible for the provision of a wide variety of building services and asset management. Concept Evolution™ can be integrated with common business applications and provides complete control of FM functional requirements from within one solution.

 

FSI has developed in close parallel with the rise of FM as a core business function, keeping abreast of constantly changing requirements for new services, training and support. Indeed, our R&D team accounts for 25% of FSI personnel, ensuring we continue developing Concept Evolution™ to FM requirements. Concept Evolution™ unites the full spectrum of hard and soft services, from hard engineering through to soft services.

 

FSI has a reputation for forging strong, dynamic, long-term relationships with our clients which is evidenced through our extensive case study portfolio. The company also has a well-established network of FM and technological partners across the globe.

 

FSI was the first CAFM company to awarded Microsoft Gold status, in 1996.

 

 

+44 (0)1708 251900

info@fsi.co.uk

www.fsi.co.uk

 

Compton Darlington, Business Development Director, FSI (FM Solutions) Limited