Dubai, UAE, 9 August 2018: Technological advancements are changing the built-environment, and it would seem that the FM sector is not excluded from the inevitable paradigm shift. Mahmood Rasheed, Chief Operating Officer, Imdaad, said that as recent advancements have created a range of options for facilities managers, it has also paved the way for a wave of changes in the industry. In addition to the delivery of integrated soft and hard FM services, he said, the scope of the FM business is further widened to include various specialised services such as energy management, vibration analysis, thermography, and portable appliance testing (PAT), among others. “FM service providers have also begun to follow stringent standards and practices to maintain consistency in operations,” he added.

Rasheed said that in view of Imdaad’s commitment to offer strategic cost optimisation without compromising on quality, the company implemented sustainable practices through the adoption and utilisation of computer-aided facilities management (CAFM) reporting software and smart building technologies, driven by the MEP sector looking to optimise operations.  “Eventually, other FM companies have increased the use of CAFM reporting software and smart building technologies to gain a strong foothold in the market,” he said. “They have also focused on raising their standards by adhering to quality, environment, health and safety requirements and by offering professional services with the availability of a trained in-house workforce, thereby enabling them to receive relevant ISO certifications.” Rasheed explained the company is also supported by Imtedaad, a system that analyses the performance trends of interconnected assets. The company also uses the mobile version of the system, he said and it includes cognitive computing, predictive maintenance, machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, automatic correction, real-time monitoring, asset tracking and energy management.

In view of these emerging technologies, Rasheed is quick to point out that the sustainability of FM businesses still relies on advanced technical skills, especially with regard to HVACR equipment. “We believe that paying regular attention to specialised equipment through a regular and comprehensive maintenance programme can save time, money and energy while increasing its life expectancy,” Rasheed said. “Operators with a working knowledge of proper preventive maintenance can take advantage of cost-saving ideas and procedures. To find themselves thriving in a robust FM industry, FM companies must continue to make investments to build the technical skills expertise of building operations personnel through continuous technical training.”Imdaad, he said takes the support of specialised service providers to maintain specialised systems in line with OEM requirements, specific method statements and operating procedures, to ensure the asset lifecycle is well managed.

Rasheed also stressed that building a workforce of tech-savvy millennial professionals, who possess a broad range of skills can drive growth and excellence. “To attract and retain them as well as to facilitate data and information sharing,” he said, “FM businesses should embrace the latest technologies in all aspects of their operations.” Effective FM solutions, Rasheed stressed, offer significant savings in the long run as well as make business operations sustainable.

Hannah Jo Uy is Assistant Editor at Climate Control Middle East magazine. She may be contacted at hannah@cpi-industry.com