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Published December 10th, 2016 by

What Is the Importance of Facility Management Software to Businesses

What Is the Importance of Facility Management Software to Businesses

Businesses have been very keen on saving on expenses and cutting losses so a lot of tools and methods have been created to make sure that all of the business’ assets are being taken care of. The traditional methods of keeping track of your facilities through manual inventory systems, like traditional counting and writing on paper quantities of goods and stocks, have been being replaced slowly by a more modern method. Computers and software have been incorporated to the business’ daily routine to make sure that everything is properly accounted for.

An example of this modern method is what we call the facility management software. It is a great tool for facilities professional in managing the business’ assets and extending its life cycle through proper maintenance and efficient usage. It also helps professionals in reducing space by presenting a better organization of facilities and decreasing maintenance costs.

Facility management software has different usage and can fall into different subcategories. They can be computerized maintenance management software (CMMS), enterprise asset management (EAM), integrated workplace management systems (IWMS), or inventory management software (IMS). All categories are part of what is known as facility management software for they all work for the same purpose of proper maintenance and management of the business’ assets.

Understanding Facility Management Software and What It Can Do

Facility management software is an example of a computerized maintenance management where facilities professionals are being aided by a series of system and tools from a software. The impact of computerized maintenance management to industries is concluded to have a positive outcome due to the amount a business can save due to the software.

It is also projected that tool management software can protect your assets more than the traditional method because you can easily spot products or situations where a problem can ensue and immediately take necessary actions before the problem progressed.

Facility management software makes sure that assets of the company are sustainable and stretched to its full potential before being replaced making companies save a lot of money. It is also the overall management software for all your assets, may it be fixed or current and tangible or nontangible. Under the facility management software are categories you may select to purchase the general facility management software, or you may choose a category that specializes in a department.

  1. Computerized maintenance management software (CMMS) – It is a tool that allows you to see the graphical presentation of your fixed assets for some companies, but the overall use of this software is for maintenance and proper management of tasks through tools that can assist you for scheduling and reporting.
  2. Enterprise asset management (EAM) – The focus of this software is the asset intensive industries and enterprises. Properly managing the life cycle of an asset from planning to disposal. It can also extend to reach the utilities, logistics, and infrastructure assets of a company.
  3. Integrated workplace management systems (IWMS) – This is the tool to aid you with another good asset of the company, the manpower. It integrates in the workplace of the employees with tools that can help the operation setting be more productive. The system allows employees to communicate internally with other employees and offers a better workplace condition for your employees. Their concerns will be addressed immediately, and continuous workflow is in order.
  4. Inventory management software (IMS) – This mainly focuses on the proper management of your inventory system from items to supplies. It also manages your database system for a smooth and fully utilization of all your inventory.

Though each software has different specialization, they are all under the main software which is the facility management software. It is the overall functionality of the subcategories. Though some industries opt for the specialization, a lot still consider the facility management software. Not only does the whole asset facility is being taken care of, but even the smallest details are being dealt with.

Advantages of the Facility Management Software to Business

  1. It can help you project possible problems that may arise during maintenance and offers you a quick resolution, cutting losses to your business.
  2. It helps in the improvement and efficiency of productivity because of data management and improved communication that are part of the tools in a facility management software.
  3. Cooperation between employees can easily be attained and achieved because of the improved networking, accountability, and communication system, mainly because the software helps in scheduling tasks for employees and easy interaction between heads and departments.

 

Disadvantages of the Facility Management Software to Business

Just like any other situation, disadvantages can arise from improper handling of the software. These consequences are as follows with tips on how you can have a good turn around when the problem arose:

  1. Facility management software just like any other software is vulnerable to glitches and break down. One major break down can make all your precious files and data be lost, and this would be unproductive to businesses.

Tip: Problem such as this is unavoidable; there is no valid explanation on why some software suddenly suffer a major break down so the best thing you can do is to always have your data and files backed up. It is important to always have a reservation so that when an unthinkable happens, you will not be stuck with broken files and won’t start all over again. A manual backup is also advisable so that when technology fails you, old school method can save you.

  1. The software sometimes would suddenly slow down or intermittent connection persists. Loading of the page would take time, or it hangs especially after long usage. This is bad especially if you are in a meeting or doing a presentation.

Tip: So be sure to always keep in contact with the customer service people of your software. Check everything first before your meeting or presentation. Run a thorough check of your system every now and then to see what problems might ensue and to have them fixed immediately.

  1. Employees tend to rely almost everything to the software and people would tend to be isolated and much informed about everything the business has. Business owners also rely too much on the software that some people lose their job because the software has taken over their job.

Tip: People’s actual and physical interaction is still important so it is better to not completely rely everything on the software. Try to incorporate and retain old school methods to your industry so that people can still have the sense of what reality is. Involve employees in activities that can promote physical interaction every now and then.

Tips on how to Select the Right Software for Your Business

  1. See first what it is that you need most for your business and if it something that involves and rotates around inventories, enterprise, workplace, or all of the above. By knowing what you need, it is easier to choose what the right software for you is.
  2. Check software that offers free trials so that you can easily check if the software would be convenient or comfortable for you. You can check about the positive and negative aspects of the software and see what the ways in which you can turn the negative ones to your advantage are.
  3. Always check if the customer service of the company offering you the software is easily reachable. Are they hands-on when it comes to their clients’ concern and fast enough to resolve important issues that might affect the overall productivity of your business?
  4. Check for existing product reviews about the company and the vendor. See if there are any negative remarks about the company, and if there is, it is important to ask the vendor what the things they are doing to fix the issue or the steps they have started to improve their services are.
  5. List down the things that you need for an effective facility management software. These are the things that you think would benefit you more once you avail of the software.
  6. Compare the tools available in the product software one company is offering from the others. Narrow down companies by checking the reviews of the best facilities management software available in websites that offer ranking products and companies through a transparent survey method.

Businesses have truly found a partner when it comes to managing their assets. Facility management software has helped business industries to save a lot and expand the value of their assets in fivefold. So don’t dwell in the past where you spend money and time in managing your facilities; get yourself a partner and avail of the perfect facility management software for you.

For a complete listing of available companies that offer facility management software and other products and services, check CrowdReviews.com. They have extensive selections of products and services that can help you narrow down your selection process for choosing the best company to serve you.

Our rankings are completely independent, transparent, and community driven; they are based on user reviews and client sentiment. These facilities management software companies had to earn their way up and didn't just pay their way up.

View Rankings of Best Facilities Management Software Companies