Facilities management is one of the fastest growing professions in the UK. The profession is responsible for many businesses and providing many services. Facilities management is vital to the success of any business as it provides a safe and efficient working environment, which is essential to the performance of any business whatever its size or scope. The meaning behind the term facilities management is similar to property management but it is often only applied to larger or commercial properties where the management and operation is more complex.
An occupier is responsible not only for funding the planning, design and fit out, but also the ongoing support and servicing of the space that has been created for the organisation. The costs that this entails, usually represents the largest financial expenditure after payroll.
A facilities manager is responsible for 85% of the costs associated with the life cycle of the property. The main role of a facilities manager is to ensure that everything is available and operating smoothly for the occupants of a building.
Some of the services that a facilities management personal will provide are as follows:
• On-site facilities management • 24/7 facilities helpdesk • Archiving • Building fabric maintenance • Catering • Cleaning • Conference room management • Energy management • Grounds maintenance • Health & safety • Mailroom services • M&E maintenance • Project management • Reception & switchboard • Security – manned guarding & electronic
The job done by a facilities management team can sometimes be divided into two sections which are labelled hard and soft services. The term hard services is one that refers to aspects such as ensuring an air conditioning unit is operating efficiently and is reliable and safe. Other aspects of hard services include things such as fixing a leaking roof or converting a room into an office. Hard services are all the aspects that take a lot of specially skilled construction work and electrical work. The term soft service refers to duties such as ensuring that the building is cleaned properly and regularly. Another example of a soft service is monitoring building work.
A definition of facilities management according to The British Institute of Facilities Management is as follows:
"Facilities management is the integration of multi-disciplinary activities within the built environment and the management of their impact upon people and the workplace".
If your still not convinced about the help that a facilities management company can bring you then think of it this way, by enlisting the help of a facilities management company you will be able to get on with the actual running of your business rather than being worried about the running of your building.
By providing you with a range of help, such as what is listed above your place of business will be well taken care of. If you would like to know more information about the type of services and solutions that are on offer to you from a facilities management company then it is important that you research into what is available from them. Helen is the web master of ARCH Property Management, specialists in all aspects of Facilities Management.
