How Does Facility Management Lead To Cost Reduction?

Facility management is a fairly multi-dimensional process and companies often do not realize the amount of cost-cutting that is feasible within it. The possibility of task automation and the entry of newer technologies in this field have made room for efficient workplaces and smarter budget allocation. Here are a few small, but impactful changes your building can make in this regard-

1. Planned Preventive Maintenance vis-a-vis Reactive Maintenance

Countless teams tend to settle for reactive maintenance, which is basically responding to equipment or any component only after it has failed. In the long run, this can actually end up costing companies more, since components that have broken down will need to be fully replaced. Continuing to use such machinery can be a safety hazard for employees, drain resources unnecessarily, or even make your business susceptible to fines. In sharp contrast to this, planned preventive maintenance is a lot safer, efficient, and cost-beneficial.

Another reason why it is a favourable choice for facility managers is because it can help add longevity to the life cycles of machinery. For instance, an HVAC system that is regularly maintained and monitored will do well for many years before needing a replacement. In this manner, opting for preventive maintenance saves businesses from incurring large, untimely costs and helps machines run judiciously.

Enviro India goes a step ahead in this regard, by providing the option of maintenance services for individual equipment. This can come in handy when for example, two elevators have been installed at different points of time in a building and hence, require their own respective maintenance schedules.

2. Automating Time-Consuming Tasks

Facility management comes with a host of automation options in the present day. This is a boon since manual support for completing certain menial tasks is most often, not cost-effective. Moreover, facility managers are required to oversee many facets of their organization, and keeping a manual record of these functions is hardly feasible. Thankfully, a number of tedious tasks can very easily be automated using trusted facility management software.

An emerging trend at Enviro is the adoption of VMS or Visitor Management Systems at different residential or commercial locations. These systems create an electronic database for the purpose of visitor tracking and can help facilities do away with the manual use of pen-and-paper registers and efficiently use their manpower at entry gates. Putting this system in place can, in fact, allow managers to direct their workforce to other urgent tasks, which can ensure the judicious use of their services and help with cost-cutting as well. In other words, such systems are of immense help when there is a large volume of tasks to complete on a given day. Organizations are now looking for ways to automate related tasks like order purchases, sales invoicing, facility booking, and stock management in the near future.

3. Enhancing Energy Savings

One of the best places to initiate cost-cutting in any building is by regulating its energy consumption. Implementing smart building practices is usually the first step in initiating this change. This can involve attaching sensors to equipment to accurately track its energy usage and draft a plan which includes cost-saving capabilities. Other external changes that can be adopted by buildings are switching to energy-efficient light bulbs wherever possible and regulating HVAC systems according to occupancy. Infact, Enviro India has been managing this fairly novel challenge of operating HVAC systems cost-effectively, in empty offices due to the prevalence of remote working during Covid-19.

To sum up, such changes can significantly reduce the carbon footprint of any building and can help a facility management system acquire significant energy saving at the same time. In fact, a survey by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy stated that switching to smarter technologies can help companies reduce their annual energy consumption by almost 18% for HVAC systems and 33% for lighting. Making this switch can help companies achieve the twin goals of environmentally friendly practices and cost reduction. Furthermore, Enviro has also planned plantation drives in residential areas, as they strive to build greener societies for the larger benefit of the people who reside within these spaces and redefine sustainability norms.

4. Creating an Optimal Work Environment for Employees

Another overarching goal of facility management is to create a conducive environment for the workforce in these spaces. This can range from temperature control in indoor spaces, ensuring hygiene in common areas such as lounges and bathrooms, and providing consistent electricity and wifi access so they can work undisrupted. A slightly different manner in which work environments can be supplemented is by integrating Internet of Things (IoT) into the office space. This can enhance the connectivity, by facilitating syncing and the exchange of data between employees. Overall, it is incredibly important to foster a culture of viewing all resources sustainably and utilizing them mindfully.

Enviro also has an easily accessible app that provides a streamlined offering of all their services as an integrated facility management company. The app provides plenty of options, such as a choice between bundled and unbundled services, both of which are offered by Enviro and give the client good room for choice, according to their real estate space. 

Overall, welcoming newer technologies into the facility management processes of a building is a worthwhile investment. In the long run, it can help fast-track routine procedures, ensure accountability and efficiency at workplaces and of course, significantly reduce overall costs.