Facilities management encompasses multiple disciplines to ensure the functionality of the built environment by integrating people, place, process and technology. The FM sector acts as an umbrella to a horizontally oriented market, and currently represents about 5% of the global GDP (namely $3,25 trillion). Van der Merwe said that FM's relationship to HR, real estate and IT functions of an enterprise has increased.
According to van der Merwe, the relevance of FM to telecom operators is that it enables them through space enablement and subsequent lease management through integrated FM services, such as supporting infrastructure design and development; maintenance, all hours support for infrastructure and networking equipment support services; smart equipment, systems, building and monitoring; integrated systems and tools; and statutory compliance and governance, to name a few.
Equally important, said van der Merwe, are trained and knowledgeable people to deploy all these specialised services. "Innovation using systems and technology choices", commented van der Merwe," brings the entire FM value chain together creating synergy between all the different activities and disciplines, creating value unchallenged by individual management approaches."
Van der Merwe refers to this as Smart FM, where intelligence, information and equipment converge. "We use an advanced monitoring platform to create smart buildings to monitor, manage and control all facilities from one place in real-time either automatically or by means of a web browser, converting facilities into smart buildings that are eco-friendly, cost effective, and a pleasure to work in and manage."
He says that innovative technology places control at your fingertips. "You can, for example, manage your lighting and create a 28% saving in electricity costs; manage your energy utilisation; interface with your elevator systems for remote management; manage your HVAC systems in real-time, and integrate all exterior systems into the main platform. The list of powerful features and capabilities are endless," he said.
Van der Merwe commented that although the industry has far to go, it is totally realisable considering the availability of innovative technology and systems. "Our vision is to provide platforms and equipment that enable customers to be their most efficient and effective at the least cost. The key is to create smart facilities that are never stagnant and that continuously improve in terms of space, energy and other resource utilisation, as well as workflow innovation. By providing smart FM, we can then support the growth of the telecoms industry in a meaningful way that adds tremendous value," he concluded.
