As we enter 2022, there is one thing that really sparks our interest in the FM world, trends! Who doesn’t want to hear about the latest and greatest things happening within their industry? While it may seem boring to some, we don’t just want to hop on the bandwagon; we want to be the movers and leaders shaping it! With ever-growing technology and integrations available for facilities of all sizes, we’ve taken a deep dive into the top FM trends happening across the globe. If you’re ready to start 2022 with a modern mindset, you’re in the right place. Today, our team of in-building logistics experts is breaking down facilities management trends for 2022, how our FM software, Intra, is prepared to excel in these areas, and the many ways that your team can establish a strong FM strategy for the year to come.  

Digital Workplace Services 

One of the major trends for 2022 is the growth of digital workplace services. As the hybrid workforce grows across the country and the world, facilities managers have to pivot their previous strategies to accommodate these changes while remaining proactive in keeping in-office workflows running smoothly. For growing businesses, employee comfort and relationship building are at the forefront and upgraded digital services can create a welcoming and collaborative environment. Concepts such as hot-desking have gained a ton of traction, allowing employees to choose specific workspaces that fit their in-office schedule. Through Intra’s hot-desking capabilities, managers can also assign certain areas for each department or employee to choose from. This promotes safe and effective communication within your workplace and gives mailroom and office managers the ability to oversee in-office employees effectively.  

Not only does digital workspace management help with employees and visitors, but it assists with proactive maintenance requests. If you’re an office manager for a large-scale facility, keeping track of workplace requests submitted through paper, word of mouth, or over text or messaging applications can be difficult. Instead, investing in software with digital workplace capabilities, such as Intra, provides configurable forms unique to your needs, so your team can fill out requests with ease, and you will have confirmation when each request is completed.  

IoT & AI Accessibility and Integrations  

Now we know you’ve heard about this next trend. IoT, or the internet of things, has become a standout for future technology growth. IoT references a network of physical items connected through sensors, software, and other technology to create an optimized web of assets. One major way that IoT is optimizing the facilities management world is through real-time asset tracking. Whether you’re working for a government agency monitoring important documents, or a healthcare worker tracking PPE supplies and machines across your large-scale facility, IoT takes the burden off your team by using indoor positioning technologies such as RFID tags to minimize handover time and maximize efficiency.  

Similar to IoT, AI, or artificial intelligence, is a trend throughout almost every industry and can play a huge role in optimizing your daily workflows. By utilizing AI within your business, you will save time, money, and energy and reduce potential hazards within your organization. Relating back to our preventative maintenance conversation, did you know that according to an IBM study, those who implemented AI reduced the number of hours they spend on maintenance by 50-70% and lowered breakdowns by 70%? On top of assisting with preventative maintenance, AI can improve savings and energy efficiency for your office, which is especially vital as the hybrid workforce grows. Furthermore, AI helps reduce the potential for human error in almost every aspect of your organization, keeping your facility both safe and efficient. 

Environmental & Social Responsibility 

While this may not be the first thing you think of when discussing facilities management trends, environmental and social responsibility have gained significant traction for facilities managers, which will only grow in the coming years. Organizations can no longer sit back or make minimal environmental and social responsibility contributions. Instead, they must create a culture of sustainability through all departments, especially facilities management. So, what does this look like, you might ask? It’s simpler than you think. While there are larger opportunities, your business must reduce its carbon footprint. Daily optimizations through modern operations software, such as Intra, can make a big difference. For example, central receiving managers for our EDU clientele utilize Intra’s space management workflows to identify surplus within their warehouse, allowing for recycling and re-use of gently used assets. Furthermore, combining multiple point solutions into one comprehensive software like Intra reduces costs and improves energy efficiency throughout your business. While these are just a few of the areas in which environmental and social responsibility play a role, this area should be at the forefront of your 2022 strategy. 

Mobile Will Continue to Grow in Popularity 

For 2022 and beyond, the use of mobile devices for facilities managers and their teams is one trend we can get behind. We understand that your team is on their feet most of the day, and mobile-friendly operations software is a must. Mobile-first software allows your team to navigate large facilities easily, sort and scan packages, and monitor assets with confidence. Now, it is important to note that your facilities management software should be optimized for both mobile and desktop. For many facilities, the employee age and technology adaption gap is large, so it is imperative to provide multiple ways employees can utilize the software to be successful. With Intra, our soon-to-be-released Version 8 (V8) software was completely modernized to make the mobile application seamless. Now is the perfect time if you’re looking to upgrade your facilities management software for the new year.

Data & Analytics Will Facilitate Decision-Making 

You know where we’re going with this one. In every article, we speak about data and analytics. We share time and time again the importance of software with in-depth data and reporting. Thankfully, we’re not the only ones who share this sentiment! The last trend we will dive into today is the growth of analytics and reporting. As the years pass, facilities managers have seen how vital data can be for strategy and decision-making. Business intelligence is an especially great tool for FMs, which showcases relevant data in a user-friendly and visual manner to assist with presentations to stakeholders. When using Intra, our team has created a completely configurable analytics dashboard to help you measure internal KPIs and SLAs with partners and identify gaps and goals for a data-backed 2022 strategy. 

Let SCLogic Guide You Through 2022 with Confidence 

The start of this new year has us feeling excited about what’s to come (even though the first few days were dreary and filled with snow)! At SCLogic, we understand that the thought of growth and expansion for many facilities is both overwhelming and exciting, even though you may not know what’s in store. That’s why when you work with our team, we make it a priority to establish meaningful, long-term relationships with each client to facilitate inner growth and success. We don’t just install a solution; we work with your team to assist with employee adoption and are blessed to have an unmatched technical services team to answer any questions you have. When you choose SCLogic, you choose family. If you’re ready to take the next step with our team and conquer this year, email [email protected] or schedule a demo with our team today!