Types of Facility Management Software

There are many different types of facility management solutions available that meet the needs of a range of organizations. It’s important to know how to differentiate the different types in order to select the right tool for your specific requirements. Some of the main types of facility management software include:

Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS)

CMMS software focuses on maintenance management, helping organizations schedule and track maintenance tasks, manage work orders, and streamline preventive maintenance processes. This type of facility management system is suited to industries like healthcare, as it ensures the efficient upkeep of their assets.

Integrated Workplace Management Systems (IWMS)

IWMS software encompasses multiple aspects of facility management, such as space management, facility maintenance, asset tracking, lease management, and environmental sustainability. It can be used to maximize an organization’s resources and assets on a single platform.

Enterprise Asset Management (EAM)

This type of maintenance management software focuses on physical assets, providing features such as asset tracking, maintenance scheduling, inventory management, and asset lifecycle management. An EAM solution not only focuses on maintenance but also monitors other departments, locations, buildings, and business functions.

Computer-Aided Facility Management (CAFM)

CAFM Software includes features such as space management, maintenance management, asset tracking, and work order management. CAFM software often integrates CAD (Computer-Aided Design) capabilities to visualize and manage floor plans, assets, and space utilization. It helps users with better property management through visualization, and it can be customized to align with your long-term planning needs.

Workplace Experience Platform

These platforms provide user-friendly desktop and mobile apps that can manage processes like space booking, desk reservations, amenities management, employee feedback, and engagement tools. The cloud-based solution allows users to access information on any computer or mobile device, which not only enhances the employee experience but also promotes productivity and helps to keep workspaces organized and safe.

How to Choose Facility Management Software

Businesses use FM software to streamline their operations and ensure that their facilities are running smoothly. However, every business has different needs and price points, so it’s important to understand which features to look for when choosing the best facility management software for you.

Some of the key features to look for when choosing facility management software are:

Asset management

Look for software that enables asset management, such as asset tracking, lifecycle management, maintenance scheduling, equipment maintenance, and depreciation tracking. It should allow you to easily see and access your asset details and maintenance history. This can ensure the optimal utilization of your assets.

Analytics and Reporting

Having a software solution with reporting and analytics capabilities allows you to generate customized reports, track key performance indicators (KPIs), and gain insights into facility performance and maintenance trends. Having access to real-time metrics can help you make more informed decisions.

Space management

Ensure the software provides features for space allocation, utilization tracking, and occupancy management. The facility management software you choose should allow you to visualize floor plans, manage moves and changes, and help you optimize space based on real-time data. This type of feature is well suited to the real estate and construction industries.

Work order management

Efficient work order management functionality will allow you to create, assign, and track work orders, as well as allocate resources and communicate effectively with technicians and stakeholders. It can streamline the entire work request process and improve overall productivity.

Vendor Management

Look for software that provides features for managing vendor contracts, tracking vendor performance, and facilitating effective communication with external service providers. It gives you a centralized location for all vendor information, streamlines procurement processes, and ensures vendor accountability.

Benefits of Facility Management Software

There are a wide range of benefits that can come from implementing facility management software into your business processes. Understanding the specific advantages of the software will help you recognize how it can drive success within your organization.

The main benefits of facility management software are:

Enhanced Maintenance Planning

By centralizing maintenance data and providing tools for preventive maintenance scheduling, facility management software helps you effectively plan and execute solutions for your maintenance needs. This results in reduced downtime, improved asset reliability, and increased operational efficiency.

Optimal Resource Utilization

Another benefit is that it allows organizations to track and optimize the utilization of resources, including space, assets, and personnel. It allows for better space allocation, reduces underutilization, and ensures that resources are efficiently allocated day-to-day in order to meet operational requirements.

Enhanced Collaboration and Communication

The software promotes collaboration and communication among facility managers, technicians, and stakeholders. Information can be shared quickly, and users can receive real-time updates and automated notifications, improving response times and ensuring effective coordination.

Cost Savings

Improving processes like resource utilization and asset management can lead to significant maintenance cost savings. It helps reduce unnecessary expenses, prevent equipment failures, avoid penalties for non-compliance, and streamline business operations.

Scalability and Flexibility

Facility management software is scalable and can adapt to your organization’s growth and changing needs. It offers flexibility in workflow configuration and modules and integrates with other systems you use. This ensures that you’re investing in software that is customizable and can support all of your current and future requirements.

Common Features of Facility Management Software