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Technology is always changing our lives in at what seems like an ever-increasing pace. Looking back just a few years can show the great leaps that have been made in the fields of communication, social media, online retail, medical devices, and industrial manufacturing. Green tech in particular has seen a lot of mind-blowing developments in 2019; here are just a few of them.

Outsourcing Landscape Changes

While companies around the world continue to outsource their facility management needs, the reasons for that are swiftly changing. Instead of just thinking of their bottom line, companies are now privy to the fact that if they outsource their FM functions, their in-house staff can focus on the bigger picture. By using tools like facility management software, vital system and asset information can be relayed to a central hub, analyzed by the software system, then relayed directly to management staff using graphs and tables. With the right tools at her disposal, a savvy FM can identify problems before they occur, schedule needed preemptive maintenance, and save the company money.

Artificial Intelligence

Completely automated processes, instantly available information on any and all facility systems, a facility that schedules maintenance automatically, sends you alerts on your phone when there’s an issue, and even cleans itself—sounds like a dream, doesn’t it? But it isn’t! All of these technologies and more are now at your (and your budget’s) potential disposal. The Internet of Things (IoT) paired with AI technology will bring us many surprising and useful innovations in 2019 and beyond.

The healthcare industry has long been one of sporadic highs and lows. In fact, it’s one of the most difficult industries to accurately predict from year to year. While hugely important aspects of the healthcare industry are hotly debated in the halls of Congress, scientists around the world are making breakthrough discoveries in developing ground-breaking devices and medical methods.

Here are the biggest technology trends in healthcare to watch out for in 2019.

Electronic Medical Records or EMRs

Electronic Medical Records offer more than just convenience for medical staff. Although still slow to be comprehensively adopted in the country as a whole (largely due to for-profit hospitals’ distrust in each other when it comes to sharing patient data), through advances in technology and medical software databases it is now possible to share a patient’s medical records across many platforms instantly.

Blockchain Systems

Blockchain systems are another hot trend to look out for the medical industry. In a nutshell, blockchain technology allows large swaths of data to be stored in a tiny space. This technology is also at the heart of emerging cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Litecoin, Monero, Dash, and Dogecoin. Although these currencies have been existing in the Wild West of legitimacy, Bitcoin in particular has seen the widest level of acceptance. Many companies, including some coffee shop chains, now regularly accept Bitcoin as a payment method.

Smartphones in the Classroom

One of the most surprising trends in healthcare right now is the 180-degree turn that schools and universities are now making towards the acceptance and encouragement of use of smartphones in the classroom. Medical students aren’t hiding their phones underneath their desk anymore, and instead are encouraged to use their smart devices to aid in the learning process.

Want to know more about the biggest trends in healthcare? Call MaintenX today!

Technology is changing at breakneck speed in virtually every single aspect of our lives. Facility management is no exception to that trend. In order to keep up with the competition in this ever-changing environment, it’s important to know the newest and most innovative tools in the industry.

Facility Management Software

If you haven’t jumped on the Facility Management software train yet, you’ve already been left in the dust. Facility management software allows facility managers complete access to all relevant systems, assets, and equipment information. There are many programs available now, and almost all of them compile information in graphs, charts, and other visual aids that can help you get a better picture of the health and well-being of every part of your facility.

Motion Sensors

Motion sensors, when combined with a facility management software program, can give you indispensable information about the use and utility of every room in your facility. That means you can track how often, how much, and when different spaces within the building are being used. Some software suites also come with analytics tools that can help you strategically heat and cool rooms individually. AI technology even allows for facility management software to regulate processes and system function based on trends the software observes, like automating lights in a regularly-occupied conference room. This can add up to a lot of savings on your facility’s utility bills, which is the #1 expense for businesses worldwide.

Artificial intelligence (AI)

Artificial intelligence isn’t just for sci-fi movies anymore; many industries have been using AI programs for years. As the tech gets more advanced, it will only be adopted by more businesses. That also means these programs will soon be able to automate almost any process you give them permission to.

Want to know more about the newest FM tech trends? Call MaintenX today!

Once you’ve found a reliable independent contractor, building and maintaining a healthy, mutually-beneficial relationship is your next step. Managing and engaging with an independent contractor is quite different than supervising your regular employees.

An important thing to remember is that independent contractors are just that: independent. That means that they can work where they want, they can work with who they want, and they can work when and for as long as they want. That’s why it’s important to maintain friendly and open channels of communication at all times. Here are a few things to consider when hiring an independent contractor.

Define the Scope of Work Clearly

Make sure that you set boundaries, define tasks in a detailed but easily-digestible way, and provide full, comprehensive guidelines that include the metrics used to gauge their performance. When working with independent contractors make sure to have a well-made scope of work, statement of work, and/or a written agreement which clearly outlines the project and includes all relevant information.

Commit to Communication

Before the project even starts, establish a process for communicating with your contractor. Especially at the beginning of a long-lasting professional relationship, you need to create a system for letting the contractor know he or she is competing the tasks you need completed in the proper way. Also, make sure to have an “open door” policy with the contractor in which they can communicate positive or negative feedback to you.

Follow these simple rules, and you’re sure to get and keep the contractors you need.

There are many benefits of energy optimization that exist beyond the obvious. Here are the benefits that are creating the biggest positive impact on the economy and the world.

Increased Productivity

Energy optimization trends often lead to heightened production capacity, rate of output, and cycle times. Better efficiency also leads to a much healthier bottom line for many companies who choose to go green.

Higher Profit Margin

Products marketed as green or greener alternatives have seen a huge uptick in sales. The more green products that are developed and sold, the higher the demand for newer and more energy-efficient products including light bulbs, reusable air filters, recycled paper products, eco-friendly plastic alternatives, carbon neutral devices, and emission-free electric vehicles.

Each dollar saved through the use of energy optimization is one more dollar in operating profits. This makes energy management metrics and tracking statistics more transparent and persuasive to prospective clients and/or customers.

Reduced Energy Compliance Costs

Administrative costs and hefty government and regulator penalties related to carbon and other greenhouse gas emissions are now hurting companies who don’t comply. This has also led to a healthy uptick in companies that strictly comply with, and often exceed, regulator standards. This helps not only the companies’ bottom line, but also makes your business look greener to the public. This has swayed many a customer to the company who is more environmentally friendly.

Want to know more about energy optimization? Call MaintenX today!

To be successful, today’s businesses need access to important information. They also have to keep track of the innovations and tools being implemented by their competitors to stay relevant in an ever-changing landscape.

Staying ahead isn’t easy, though. Data is everywhere, cascading down on facility managers and business owners from a multitude of systems, divisions and regions in real time. That’s why companies need smart technology: so management can make the most-informed and carefully made decisions to stay ahead.

Though businesses have an abundance of data, it isn’t easy to predict the problems that can lead to failure and downtime. Predictive maintenance opens the door to making raw data useful.

Predictive Maintenance and the Future of Facility Management

Predictive maintenance systems take into consideration things like:

• Asset usage
• Wear and tear on assets
• Environmental factors of assets
• Temperature and temperature changes
• Climate and utility usage information
• Motion sensing data

Predictive maintenance IT systems track all of this information to complete many vital tasks, including sensing when a system is in danger of failure or needs maintenance.

Predictive Analytics

Predictive analytics is your eye into the inner workings of your facility. Think of it as a doctor who can examine vital signs and symptoms, then give recommendations on how to stay healthy. Predictive analytics can help in FM decision making in the following ways:

• Aid facility managers by helping them monitor, sustain and enhance facility assets for better accessibility, operation and performance
• Predict asset failure to optimize quality and supply processes
• Remove guesswork from facility management staff’s decision-making process

Want to know more about the power of predictive capabilities? Contact MaintenX today!

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has declared its list of the top countries for its pioneering LEED program, the world’s most lauded and widely used green building rating system. The list features the countries making the biggest impact in sustainable building design and construction.

The countries featured on the list are diverse, both geographically and culturally.

What is LEED?

LEED-certified buildings are more sustainable than traditional buildings, as they:

• Use less energy and water resources
• Are innovative in their green design structure
• Save money for families, businesses and taxpayers
• Reduce carbon emissions
• Create a healthier environment for residents, workers, and communities

The United States, the creator of the LEED rating system, is notably not featured in the list. The U.S. is has the largest economy in the world by GDP, and is also the world’s second largest carbon emitter, after China.

Canada ranked first on this year’s LEED ranking, with China, India, and Brazil coming in second through fourth on the list.

Germany and Sweden represent Europe; Germany ranked sixth, while Sweden, making the list for the first time, placed 10th. Both nations are regularly mentioned as green innovators for their improvements on existing technologies as well as their stellar leadership in bringing their efforts to the world stage in order to help facilitate the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions on an international scale.

Two Middle Eastern countries also made the list. The United Arab Emirates and Turkey have both been praised for their green building initiatives. The UAE enlarged its total tally of LEED-certified buildings by over 70% over less than a year. Notably, Turkey has made the list for the first time in its history by coming in at 9^th place.

Want to know more about green building strategies? Call MaintenX today!  

When a business puts out a request for bids, it must include very detailed information. This information needs to include enough details for contractors to be able to decide the RFP or RFQ is a good fit for them and, if it is a good fit, how to respond in the correct manner.

That’s why a detailed statement of work paired with an equally accurate scope of work is your best tool for getting a correct estimate.

Statement of Work

Essentially, a statement of work spells out a project’s goals and performance needs in a succinct and understandable way. A statement of work gives a detailed description of the nature of the work, an estimated project timeline, relevant performance criteria, travel requirements, location details, and any special skills necessary for the work being requested.

This vital information lets contractors provide a more accurate proposal and cost estimate.

Scope of Work

Any comprehensive statements of work should also include a scope of work. A scope of work details the tasks a contractor will be required to perform to meet your organization’s project objectives. The scope of work provides the particular details, such as:

• Organizational charts for the individuals assigned to the project
• Lists of needed tools and equipment
• Project performance requirements
• Required references specifications
• drawings and plans, if the project deals with construction or features design elements which need to be defined
• additional resources and documents unique to the project that gives information contractors will need to give you an accurate project estimate

With a well-crafted scope of work and statement of work, you’ll be assured to get replies from contractors with all the information you need to make the right decision on the perfect contractor for your project.

A successful project requires clear objectives and boundaries to succeed. This article focuses on the idea of a “scope of work” and explains how a well-designed scope of work can help create the needed boundaries to succeed.

Your Scope of Work should include:

• A complete asset inventory
• Service matrix data
• Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
• Relevant and necessary processes, measures and procedures
• Expressly defined staff roles and a detailed summary of each role’s individual responsibilities
• The price of the structure as a whole, each relevant part’s cost, and service cost estimates over each asset’s life cycle
• All relevant budgetary information, plans for investments, capital repairs or replacement data, and facility management service requirements

Defining and Documenting Project Scope

Clearly defining your project’s goal at the very beginning—and controlling the scope of the project throughout the entire planning process is vital to ensure your project becomes a success

While crafting your Scope of Work, ask yourself these questions:

• What demands will we need to meet?
• How can we expand service line opportunities?
• How can we improve FM infrastructure?
• What data should be measured, how do we measure it, and how do we communicate it to all relevant parties?

Clearly fleshing out your project’s scope at the outset can safeguard you from project delays and headaches down the road. Make sure everyone in every step of the process clearly understands their individual role, and the roles of all other stakeholders.

Cost/Price Structuring

There are countless ways you can create a project price structure. A few examples are:

• Open book and fixed margin
• Fixed price per operation
• Fixed price per man/hour for different qualifications, with a fixed price for materials

Want to know more about Scope of Work and how it can help you get to project success? Call MaintenX today!

Building Information Modeling (BIM) has mostly replaced other tools as the preferred program for the construction field. Facility managers, reasonably, often want to leverage the BIM’s vital information to enhance building operations and general maintenance.

BIM is able to meet most facility managers’ information requirements. With better and more accurate data, prioritizing sustainability goals is easier than ever.

Yet sometimes facility managers don’t get complete data from BIMs. This is often due to their inability to articulate their asset data needs in a language the BIM can process accurately. And, because they lack the correct requirements, capital project managers and construction teams are left to guess the scope and scale of the information that the facility managers need.

That’s why, if they’re to be successful, facility managers need to learn how to define their necessities in the language of BIM.

This process is, luckily, quite straightforward:

• Specify needs
• Compile relevant data
• Validate numbers
• Deliver on goals
• Apply lessons learned to facility operations

Crafting a Successful Facility Information Specification

Scope

The scope of a Facility Information Specification is comprised of two parts:

• A list of the building elements (floors, rooms, etc.) you wish to track
• The specific information to be collected for each building element or asset

Building Elements and Equipment Tracking

What types of building elements (doors, smoke vents, light fixtures) and equipment (HVAC systems, pumps, valves) should be tracked? Generally speaking, the types of assets that should be tracked by Facility Management software should be those most crucial to facility operations and safety. But, if a new facility varies considerably from an existing facility, a new list will need to be created.

Want to know more about Facility Information Specifications and how they can help improve your facilities processes? Call MaintenX today!