Five Ways Facilities Management Software Can Increase Your Competitive Advantage
In a post-pandemic world, utilizing industry-specific facilities management software can set your business back on the path to growth and stability.
Organisations across all industries have had a tough time over the last eighteen months. A global pandemic, together with the repercussions of Brexit, resulted in greater pressure than usual on most businesses. For those within the facilities management (FM) sector, the impact of COVID-19 has been unprecedented, and the majority have witnessed the negative impact on demand across all regions.
However, the demand for FM solutions and services is expected to grow in the years ahead as a result of the increased awareness of cleanliness, maintenance management and security. Looking forwards to increased demand, the need for an FM service provider to remain competitive is vital. If there are contracts out there to be won, the competition from FM organisations looking to revitalise their business after such a long period of uncertainty will be stiff.
That’s why leveraging facilities management software as part of your business offering has many benefits for your organisation and your clients. Here, we look at five ways software specifically developed for the FM industry can give a business that competitive edge.
Responding to change
Software impacts how and where work is performed. Post-COVID-19, we are seeing a change in the workplace-related demands of FMs, requiring certain areas be effectively cleaned and managed, including assigned workplaces, shared and flexible workspaces, and remote offices. Facility management providers must understand and proactively respond to this need by utilising their available software to make their teams and the service they deliver more efficient, effective and productive. Leveraging software designed for the FM sector can give an organisation an advantage over their competitors.
Optimising service delivery
Offering a service that is proven faster and seamless will always stand an FM provider in good stead when competing for new business. Improving processes, reaction time and offering greater flexibility, all whilst being able to document and prove this efficiency, is possible via the investment into FM software. The pandemic shined a light on the importance of supporting critical business processes with software. By helping organisations plug gaps in service provision and use human skill more effectively, having an FM-focused software within a company’s arsenal shows potential customers they are a robust service provider that can be trusted.
Rapid problem solving
Things go wrong — it’s a fact of life. When an unexpected issue appears on site, facilities management software can help resolve it quickly, without the client ever knowing there was a problem. Using software that allows efficient collaboration with a support or expert team, improves responsiveness. Being able to reach or view the activity of a group of team members in order to quickly identify the most appropriate one to help with an issue is quicker than having to make multiple calls and waiting for responses. With this approach, staff are freed up to concentrate on specialist tasks and employees with less experience can then be upskilled without impacting efficiency. When presenting your organisation’s credentials to a potential customer, the presence of FM software demonstrates the organisation’s fault resolution process is consistent. That way, even if a team member is ill, isolating or has left the company, the process can continue seamlessly.
Being data-driven
Every FM company has processes throughout their organisation: HR, payroll, accounts, compliance and CRM to name but a few. Ensuring synergy between departments and being able to see and evaluate the data coming from each is a vital advantage. facilities management software provides organisations with a means to share accurate data with their clients to demonstrate a well-managed, agile business. It also allows FM professionals to properly strategise their business. Basing decisions on the data enables less risk and more informed decision making when it comes to business growth, direction and forward planning for each client.
Utilising the best talent
It’s crucial to attract, retain and invest in the right talent in any industry or business for growth and sustainability. This principle should be the foundation of any facility management company. And, software can help. Facilities management software enables a company to gauge its service levels and help formulate future expansion strategies. If the performance levels are not as desired, a company can take a step back, consolidate its services and fill the gaps in its offerings before embarking on further service expansions. Demonstrating your FM business is developing a quality team with the help of FM software is a signal to the potential customer they will be getting a quality service. Illustrating that only the best-suited and qualified people are working for your FM business will help your business stand out from the crowd when a potential client is considering you for a contract.
UK businesses can improve their competitiveness by improving efficiency. And industry-specific software solutions are one way to do that. The sooner an FM organisation can improve efficiency, the faster the company can benefit from opportunities arising.