Everyone knows running a business takes work. After all, you have various responsibilities as the owner, such as managing staff, tracking finances, and addressing all customer concerns. It is also worth noting that some duties, regardless of the business’ nature, transcend the traditional scope of operations. One example of this is facilities management.

The British Standards Institution defines facilities management as “the integration of processes within an organisation to maintain and develop the agreed services which support and improve the effectiveness of its primary activities.” With this in mind, facilities management is maintaining, improving, and operating a business’s physical space, including managing the physical infrastructure, ensuring the workplace is safe and secure, and ensuring the environment is suitable for work. Despite this, many companies do not emphasise their facilities management efforts because they think doing so to a certain degree is enough, which should not be the case.

Facilities management can help businesses in many ways, including the following:

#1 – Strategic Planning

Facilities management is crucial for strategic planning because it involves the planning and coordination of the physical environment of a business, which can help determine its success. With the right facilities management strategy, companies can better identify their needs and develop a plan to meet them most efficiently and cost-effectively. This includes evaluating the physical environment’s current state, identifying potential risks, and developing strategies to mitigate those risks. It also involves staying current on industry trends and best practices so businesses can stay ahead of the competition.

Additionally, facilities management can help businesses plan for the future. By assessing current resources and needs, companies can identify areas of improvement and develop strategies to streamline processes and operations. This includes identifying new technologies or services that can help improve efficiency and reduce costs.

#2 – Increased Efficiency in Managing Day-To-Day Operations

Managing the day-to-day operations of a company is a complex and challenging task. Facilities management can help make this process easier by providing a comprehensive and efficient system for managing various areas, from maintenance and cleaning to customer service and security. With a comprehensive facilities management system, businesses can better coordinate and track their daily operations and ensure everything runs smoothly. Whether monitoring maintenance requests, scheduling staff or managing customer service, a good facilities management system can help streamline the process and ensure that all operations run as efficiently as possible.

Additionally, facilities management can provide businesses with the tools and resources to make informed decisions. With real-time data and analytics access, companies can better understand their operations’ current state and identify improvement areas. This can help businesses make informed decisions to improve efficiency and reduce costs.

#3 – Enforcing Health and Safety Protocols

Your place of business must be a safe and healthy environment for your employees and customers. To ensure this, you must have a comprehensive health and safety protocol. This protocol should include a variety of measures, such as regular safety inspections, training for staff, and emergency preparedness.

Facilities management can help you ensure that your health and safety protocols are updated and enforced. Through regular assessments, they can ensure that the workplace meets the requirements and that all staff follow the correct protocol. They can also provide training for staff on how to handle hazardous materials properly and how to respond in an emergency.

#4 – Arranging Maintenance and Repairs for Building Premises

Arranging maintenance and repairs for building premises is essential to ensuring a safe and comfortable work environment for employees and customers. Maintenance and repairs can range from minor to major, such as repairing a broken window or replacing a roof.

Facilities management is responsible for arranging and overseeing maintenance and repair services. This includes researching and selecting contractors, obtaining quotes, scheduling services, and monitoring progress. Facilities management should also ensure that all repairs are completed to a high standard and that all contractors are properly licensed and insured.

#5 – Increased Security

Any company must never take security for granted; facilities management can significantly keep a business safe. Regularly updating security systems, such as by installing cameras or motion sensors, can help deter crime and give management a better understanding of what is happening on their premises.

Facilities management should also be responsible for monitoring who is entering and exiting the building. This can include issuing security badges, controlling access to certain areas, and responding quickly to security breaches. Also, management should ensure all employees know security protocols, such as not leaving doors unlocked or entering restricted areas.

Conclusion

Facilities management can make businesses more efficient because it covers most aspects of the business, from physical infrastructure to safety and security. Companies can create a secure and productive environment through proper management and improve their bottom line. All that matters is that the proper measures are taken and that these measures are regularly updated.

EDSA Group provides top-quality services for facility management. Buildings have specialised needs regarding industrial aspects, so we offer comprehensive solutions to ensure they are met. Call us today at (03) 9016 4337 and allow us to help you!