Technology has undoubtedly left its mark on every industry across the globe – and facilities management is no different. With continuous advancement, FM leaders have had to adapt and upskill to keep pace with the tech tools and processes reshaping the sector.
Here, Adam Atkins – Group CEO of Coat Facilities Group – reflects on the changes he’s seen throughout his extensive FM career, and the advantages and challenges of adopting technology within the industry.
What have been the biggest technology‑led changes you’ve seen within the FM industry over the years?
One of the biggest transformations has of course been the switch from paper to platforms. The laborious task of keeping track of every project, task and change no longer requires a meticulous filing system but can be accessed at the touch of a button from any location across the country.
This has elevated how teams operate, enabling a truly mobile workforce without compromising on the constant communication needed between head office and those out in the field. And, of course, we have seen data become intrinsic to the work we undertake. While experienced FM leaders will still use their experience and knowledge to inform decisions, it’s transformational to be able to capture and access both real‑time and historic data, allowing us to predict trends and mitigate against future challenges much more easily.
It’s not just about how FM providers utilise this technology, we have also upskilled our workforce so that we can integrate new tech (like the Internet of Things and connected assets) into the buildings that we manage. Smart tools allow for much more security than ever before and provide peace of mind for owners – it’s also something those looking at residential or commercial buildings will often have on their checklist of requirements now too.