In recent years, industry change has continued at a rapid rate. With the influx of new technology, the expansion of the hybrid workforce, and new legislation to promote long-term sustainability, facilities management is an ever-changing field. Last year was a year for stabilization, returning to a sense of normalcy post-pandemic. Although this year holds a level of uncertainty economically, technology has become a driver for growth. So, what does 2023 have in store for facilities managers? Here, our team of operations software experts at SCLogic unpack the biggest FM trends for 2023.

IoT and Data-Driven Decisions Will Grow

Surely you’ve heard the importance of data-driven decisions on a macro level, but understanding how to harness and organize data for your facility can be challenging. IoT, or the Internet of Things, has provided resources that streamline tasks and improve efficiency throughout your facility. With Intra, IoT is second-nature. You can gather real-time data for a comprehensive overview of facility health, communicate with FMs regarding task completion, and manage complex workloads through streamlined integrations. 

This sounds great, but when choosing logistics software, you can’t stop at task completion. IoT has made it easy to gather a complete picture of your facility, but analytics are what drive facility growth. 63% of companies use data analytics to increase productivity, and the national spending for IoT has risen to $1.3 trillion. With Intra, our analytics dashboard is completely configurable for your facility, using business intelligence tools to organize your data in a clear and modern manner. As a result, operations and facility directors can create actionable, data-backed strategies for their teams to improve productivity and generate revenue.

Sustainability and ESG Will Guide Changes

There is no doubt that sustainability has been a growing concern amongst businesses, but the push for facility-wide sustainability is now essential for growth. We know “essential” seems like a strong term. Still, without a comprehensive ESG strategy and mission, your facility will face significant challenges and potential legal action in the coming years; the data speaks for itself. More than 1 in 4 S&P 500 companies conducting earnings calls cite ESG, the highest number in over a decade. Additionally, 76% of consumers say they will stop buying from companies that treat the environment, employees, or community poorly. The time to focus on sustainability is now. 

Beginning with sustainability at the facilities management level is critical, as it sets a baseline for your entire organization. With Intra, this can be seen through our predictive maintenance tools, which provide data to help you save money, time, and energy on asset maintenance. Furthermore, our Workplace Services Workgroup, integrated with smart sensors, works perfectly for occupancy management, identifying inefficiencies in electricity and HVAC uses within your facility that can cost you thousands of dollars. Not only are you setting your facility up for the future, but you are minimizing costs during a tumultuous economic time.

Labor Shortages and Retirement Pose Challenges

While 2023 will be filled with positive trends shaping the industry’s future, facilities managers face their fair share of challenges, the most prominent being labor shortages and retirement. The skilled labor market is slowly dwindling, with the average age of facilities managers sitting at 50 years old. While many of these managers have significant experience, keeping up with automation software can pose a challenge. According to the 2022 ProFMI Training Outlook Survey, 66% of FMs and staff have considered leaving their job within the past year, and 86% of FM employers say there is a gap between their team’s current knowledge and skills and what they need to excel in the field.

When it comes to facilities software, not all are created equal. Commonly, there is implementation without training, leaving companies struggling to utilize the capabilities of their software and even reverting to old methods out of frustration. With Intra, we understand that each company has unique pain points and goals for its team. That is why we prioritize continuous training with unmatched customer service. We are a small but mighty company, serving Fortune 50 companies and some of the largest universities in the world. But we never lose sight of what’s most important, our customers. When you work with us, we guide you through the entire implementation process as a partner, building a continuous relationship with your team to ensure success.

Leverage Digital Transformation with SCLogic

Digital transformation is here to stay, and streamlining your facility is essential for success. As trends continue to emerge, our team is ready to streamline your process, generate revenue, and maximize productivity. Whether you’re struggling to identify sustainability gaps, are eager to understand your facility’s data, or preparing for the future FM workforce, we are here to guide you. To learn more about our workgroups, email [email protected] or schedule a demo with one of our team members today.