The digital transformation of facilities management

Webinar sign up: Optimising Business Outcomes with a Digital Twin - Wed 14th October 1-2pm

As buildings become more sophisticated, facilities management is becoming more complex, this is where technology will play a central role.

Facilities management is changing rapidly. What was once a role reserved for building services management has now developed into a multi-channel position which encompasses aspects of IT and HR. As our expectations of building capabilities grow, so do our expectations of facilities managers. FM today considers the comfort and individualisation of workplace for every building user.

With the adoption of Building Information Modelling real estate owners have accurate, data rich 3D models of operational buildings.

These models are developing into a digital twin of the building, a dynamic virtual representation of a physical asset using real-time data to optimise property performance.

The digital twin enables facilities management to digitally test options before implementation.

Digital FM provides the building manager with easy access to building information to manage operations and maintenance of buildings throughout their operational lifecycles.

Facility managers are finding value in several areas of building operations that benefit from enhanced data.

Optimised Maintenance

The key challenge in developing a maintenance program is entering the product and asset information required for preventive maintenance. Asset data included in the BIM model during design and construction removes the need for lengthy implementation of new software.

Reduced Energy Costs

Access to digital models helps facilitate the analysis of energy alternatives to help facility managers reduce environmental impacts and operating costs.

A Golden Thread of Information

Increasing legislation and compliance means access to accurate records for building managers and owners.

Through their lifetime buildings are continually evolving and changing. This information must be kept up to date. In the UK, following the Grenfell disaster, the Building Safety Bill increases liability on the building owner.

A digital model allows all changes and activity to be easily maintained, monitored and analysed.

Improved Space Management

By understanding the details of how space is used, facility professionals can reduce vacancy and ultimately achieve major reductions in real estate expenses. Accurate and accessible room and area information models are the foundation for good space management.

Efficient re-fit

A 3D model provides the building manager with an understanding of the space and its systems. Better information about existing conditions reduces the cost and complexity of remodelling and fit out. By providing more accurate and dependable information to contractors, change orders resulting from unknown as-built conditions can be greatly reduced.

Enhanced Lifecycle Information

Life expectancy and replacement information can be added to the model through design and construction helping an owner to understand the benefits of investing in materials and systems which may have a higher capital cost, which in-turn will reduce the ongoing operational cost. By capturing this data there is a continuous improvement loop through construction and operation.

Twinview takes the handover model with all commissioning, operation and maintenance information included and hosts it on the cloud meaning it can be accessed and maintained by anyone from anywhere on a mobile device.

Systems can be linked to the platform to provide dashboard information and control.