Business owners of all sizes are sure of one thing, the work never ends. As soon as one project is finished, another one begins, a new version of the best software comes out, a machine reaches its breaking point, and so on. However, it’s generally not financially feasible for multiple updates to occur at once, resulting in department managers creating a strategic schedule to modernize their facility. While it’s common for facilities managers to focus on quick fixes, investing in the root of your operation’s problem will help your team reap continuous benefits. Today, our team of operations software experts at SCLogic discuss the importance of investing in updated facilities technology now and how your team will benefit from reduced energy and labor costs, an integrated and mobile-first system, and more through our software Intra.

Automate Tasks That Result in Significant Costs

One of the most frustrating things for facilities managers is a repetitive task list with little to no technological resources to complete it. For facilities with outdated software, completing straightforward tasks become tedious and frustrating. Not only does this result in additional labor costs for job completion, but excessive energy costs as well for running various point solutions instead of one full-service software program. Investing in a logistics operation now will save you significant costs in the long run, not to mention it will benefit the well-being of your facilities team. According to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, implementing smart technology can save facilities up to 18% for HVAC systems, 28% for plugged equipment, and 33% for lighting. These are just a few of the cost savings that your company can reap by investing in a logistics solution. 

So, how can you automate tasks to assist in daily workflow fluidity? First, consider investing in a work order management tool. Work order or task management tools allow for automations such as auto-assignment, auto-population, auto-communication, and more. For example, university mailroom managers can utilize our Student & Faculty Mail Workgroup to automatically populate their information, store their packages (using additional integrations such as smart lockers), and automatically send a text or email notification for package pickup. Workforce trends for the coming years have also focused on technologically advanced tools, such as machine learning and AI, to promote hyper-automation and extend the capabilities of their software. This is only set to grow in the coming years, so focusing on training and early adoption will be key for automation success.

Adapt & Scale Your Business Post-Pandemic

While unfortunate, the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in significant business changes that will affect current employees and become the new normal for the future. Outside of the widespread adoption of the hybrid workforce, employees across the country are dealing with “The Great Resignation.” 4.3 million people quit their jobs just in January, after a total of almost 48 million quitting their jobs over the last year, and job resignations are up 23%. According to Pew Research, some of the most common reasons for resignation were pay, advancement opportunities, and flexibility. While switching positions or industries is on the rise, this doesn’t mean that individuals aren’t seeking job opportunities. According to Willis Towers Watson’s 2022 Global Benefits Attitudes Survey, 44% of individuals seek new roles, many of which will require pay increases, adjusted benefits, and an office space that integrates with their current lifestyle.

With Gen-Z estimated to make up a third of the global workforce by 2030, adapting your current business to serve their needs and desires will improve your chances of scalability and success. For those entering the workforce or recent post-grads searching for a new role, some of the top priorities for their job search are a technologically advanced company that offers flexible or hybrid working options, a company that truly embodies the mission they promote, especially in the area of sustainability, and the ability to grow and mold their career through various learning initiatives and growth opportunities. By investing in an in-building logistics platform, you will show prospective employees just how adept your team is through modern software that focuses on the employee experience, usability, and sustainability for the future.

Prioritize Security Efforts to Keep Your Business Safe

While no business wants to think that it can happen to them, cybersecurity attacks, especially with outdated software, can result in exponential financial loss and legal action for your business. In 2022 alone, cybercrime globally is expected to cost businesses over $6 trillion, and by 2025, this number is set to rise as high as $10.5 trillion. Especially with the rise of the hybrid workforce post-pandemic, cybercriminals have seemingly endless opportunities to cause harm. With ransomware attacks increasing significantly in the healthcare sector and 60% of small-to-midsized businesses (SMBs) going out of business within six months of falling victim to a cyber-attack, the time to act is now. Unfortunately, many companies are unaware of their security gaps until it is too late, which is why employee training regarding cybersecurity practices is so important. Not only does this help avoid potential attacks, but it helps employees work proactively to ensure they are maintaining regulatory compliance practices to avoid legal repercussions. 

Did you know that enterprises with outdated technology can lose 47% more money when they suffer a data breach compared to those who update their IT systems? There truly is urgency in updating your logistics operation when it comes to protecting consumer and business information and finances. Thankfully, with our FM software, we’ve developed Intra with a focus on security through resources such as Microsoft guidelines for secure coding, .NET framework security, and the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) Model: Agile. Moreover, we’ve merged these secure features with customer needs, such as a functional and mobile-first interface. We utilized the latest versions of HTTPS encryptions and stored sensitive data using one-way hashing. This just covers the surface of everything our team does to keep your facility safe. We know that technology is ever-changing, and cyber-attacks will continue to advance. But, investing in updated software now can ultimately save your finances and your business.

Improve Long-Term Strategy Through Data & Analytics

When building a long-term strategy for your business, it can be difficult, sometimes even impossible, to create a viable strategy without any data. If you are using outdated software or various point solutions, gathering clear data and analytics for each department or current KPIs is time-consuming and often incorrect. We all know that big data is on the rise, but harnessing data of any kind (with consumer permission, of course), can be extremely beneficial to your business. According to Forrester, if the typical Fortune 1000 business could increase data accessibility by just 10%, it would generate over $65 million in additional net income. Data and analytics applications also help businesses monitor internal KPIs and external SLA agreements, identifying gaps in both areas and adjusting as needed. 

By investing in a software platform that focuses on data input, such as Intra, your team will have access to a clear and configurable dashboard that showcases all the metrics you need the most. Office managers can report on visitor tracking and room scheduling, asset managers can improve efficiency with asset status reporting, mailroom managers can expedite outbound delivery methods and more. Simply put, quality data is a fantastic tool that helps your team see where current gaps and losses are, gain insight on how you can improve them, and execute a long-term strategy with confidence. 

Invest In Quality Logistics Software with SCLogic

At SCLogic, we’ve spent over 25 years perfecting our in-building logistics software, Intra, for enterprise, government, and higher education clients of all sizes. We understand that each business is unique, and as a result, our software has been crafted to be configurable to solve even the most complex pain points, all while prioritizing a secure and user-friendly interface. Whether you are considering a complete overhaul of your current process or just looking to update your facilities management software to a comprehensive platform like Intra, we have you covered. The time is now; let’s get to work! Email [email protected] or schedule a demo with one of our team members today. We can’t wait to watch your business flourish.