Skip to main content
Facilitate Magazine: Informing Workplace and Facilities Management Professionals - return to the homepage Facilitate magazine logo
  • Search
  • Visit Facilitate Magazine on Facebook
  • Visit Facilitate Magazine on LinkedIn
  • Visit @Facilitate_Mag on Twitter
Visit the website of the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management Logo of the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management

Main navigation

  • Home
  • News
    • Comment
    • People
    • Reports
    • Research
  • Features
    • Analysis
    • Features
    • Round Tables
    • Webinars
  • Outsourcing
    • Contract Finder
    • Contracts
    • FM Business Models
    • Interviews
    • Mergers & Acquisitions
    • Opinion
    • Procurement
    • Trends
  • Know-How
    • Explainers
    • Legal Updates
    • White Papers
  • Jobs
  • Topics
    • Workplace Services
      • Hospitality
      • Catering
      • Cleaning
      • Front of House
      • Grounds Maintenance
      • Helpdesk
      • Mailroom
      • Manned Guarding / Security
      • Pest Control
      • Washroom Services
      • Disaster Recovery
      • Specialist Services
    • Professional Performance
      • Behavioural Change
      • Continual Professional Development
      • Education
      • Management
      • Recruitment
      • Training
    • Workplace Performance
      • Benchmarking
      • Health & Wellbeing
      • Operational Readiness
      • Procurement
      • Security
      • Workplace User Experience
      • Workplace Culture
    • Compliance
      • Health & Safety
      • Risk & Business Continuity
      • Standards
      • Statutory Compliance
    • Building Services
      • Architecture & Construction
      • Asset Management
      • Building Controls
      • Building Fabric
      • Drinking Water
      • Fire Protection
      • HVAC
      • Landscaping
      • Mechanical & Electrical
      • Building Security
      • Water, Drainage & Plumbing
    • Technology
      • Building Information Modelling
      • CAFM
      • Data & Networks
      • Document Management
      • Information Management
      • Internet of Things (IoT)
      • Software & Systems
    • Energy management
      • Energy Management Systems
      • Electricity
      • Gas
      • Solar
      • Wind
    • Sustainability
      • Environmental Quality
      • Social Value
      • Waste Management
      • Recycling
    • Workspace Design
      • Agile Working
      • Fit-Out & Refurbishment
      • Inclusive Access
      • Lighting
      • Office Interiors
      • Signage
      • Space Planning
      • Storage
      • Vehicle Management / Parking
      • Washroom
    • Sectors
      • Corporate Office
      • Education
      • Healthcare
      • Manufacturing
      • International
      • Retail
      • Sports & Leisure
      • Regions
  • Buyers' Guide
Quick links:
  • Home
  • News
Surveys
Data & Networks
Information Management

FMs need more training to seize tech opportunities

Open-access content Monday 6th September 2021
Authors
Herpreet Kaur Grewal
web_smart-tech_credit_Sergey Nivens_shutterstock_349400798.png

Sergey Nivens-Shutterstock

A survey by property services specialist DMA Group has found that almost three-quarters (73 per cent) of facilities managers working in the industry class themselves as "tech-savvy”. 

However, the same survey also found that 60 per cent still need additional information/knowledge to know where and how to incorporate smart technology into their role and business processes, pointing to a lack of knowledge on how it can specifically support them. 
 
This knowledge gap is also reflected in terms of internal training. Less than half (46 per cent) said that if they were a team leader, they’d be confident training and helping their team to consider how smart technology could be incorporated into their day-to-day roles.
 
The survey also suggests that tech talent should not be restricted to just those working in the IT dept. A significant 95 per cent of respondents believe that every business department, including FM, needs to embrace smart technology. 
 
The survey asked both in-house and outsourced FMs about their knowledge of and experience with technology within the built environment. Respondents were also asked about the extent to which such systems are understood and in use within their organisations. The findings suggest that while much of the FM workforce may understand the potential benefits of smart technology, many are unaware of how to take full advantage of those opportunities.  
 
Steve McGregor, DMA’s Group managing director, said: “Most innovation deployed within our industry has come via equipment manufacturers, but digitalisation now empowers service providers to bring further added value too. By connecting our stakeholders and data into a completely transparent and real-time environment, we can automate our transactional business processes and interfaces to drive better communication, greater efficiency, cost reduction and materially improved customer satisfaction. The FM industry must seize this tech dividend because we cannot keep doing the same old things yet expect better results. 
 
“The UK has developed some of the smartest and most technologically advanced buildings in the world, yet they're still serviced by engineers running around with screwdrivers and spanners. There's an awful lot of transactional steps and process workflows to making buildings work efficiently and effectively, but technology is the only sustainable enabler for giving customers the convenience, choice, control and certainty they expect.”

Image credit | Sergey Nivens-Shutterstock

Tody’s top news stories

web_headhunting-and-recruiting_credit_Andrii-Yalanskyi_shutterstock_2120033537.png

ONS data shows that hiring activity is slowing

The latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveals that hiring activity in the UK is beginning to slow, with vacancies decreasing for the first time since June to August 2020.
Reports
Surveys
Wednesday 17th August 2022
Open-access content
web_Student-accomodation_credit_iStock-1034245534.png

Student digs providers ‘must work more closely with universities’ to create better community spaces

Analysis suggests that in a post-pandemic world where hybrid learning has become more widespread 47% of current students still want to be in student accommodation and living with their peers.
Reports
Surveys
Wednesday 17th August 2022
Open-access content
puzzle

IWFM member consultation: "What do you want from us?"

IWFM is consulting members over its future membership offering
Wednesday 17th August 2022
Open-access content
web_Mosley-street-looking-south_credit_ironbell_shutterstock_1582605160.png

Churchill expands deal with Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman

Soft FM provider Churchill Group has renewed its contract with the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) at its Manchester base, and has also extended services to its London office. 
Wednesday 17th August 2022
Open-access content
web_©Avrenim_Simon-Harris.png

Avrenim appoints Simon Harris as CEO

Facilities management provider Avrenim has designated Simon Harris as its CEO to help further bolster the company’s position in the market.
People
Wednesday 17th August 2022
Open-access content
web_©Julius-Rutherfoord_City-University1.png

Julius Rutherfoord renews cleaning deals worth £30m in education sector 

Independent cleaning company Julius Rutherfoord & Co has retained contracts worth £30 million at educational institutions across London, awarded over the past two months, and set to run for the next five years.  
Wednesday 17th August 2022
Open-access content
Filed in:
News
Also filed in:
Surveys
Data & Networks
Information Management

You might also like...

Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Linked in
  • Mail
  • Print

Today's top reads

 

Latest Jobs

Project Leader (Maternity Cover One Year Contract)

Cambridge
Circa £50,000 Pro Rata + Benefits & Opportunities
Reference
56378

Maintenance Supervisor

Surrey
Up to £43,000 + Excellent Package & Opportunities
Reference
56376

Regional Facilities Manager

South West England
Circa £40,000 + Benefits & Opportunities
Reference
56375
See all jobs »

 

 

Sign up to our newsletter

News, jobs and updates

Sign up

Subscribe to print

Sign up to receive our bi-monthly magazine

Subscribe
Facilitate magazine cover, June 2020
​
FOLLOW US
@Facilitate_Mag
Facilitate Magazine
Facilitate Magazine
CONTACT US
Contact us
Tel: 020 7880 6200
​

IWFM

About IWFM
Become a member
Qualifications
Events

Information

Privacy Policy
Terms & Conditions
Cookie Policy
Think Green

Get in touch

Contact us
Advertise with us
Subscribe to Facilitate Magazine
Write for Facilitate Magazine

General

IWFM Jobs
Help

© 2022 • www.facilitatemagazine.com and Facilitate Magazine are published by Redactive Media Group. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any part is not allowed without written permission.

Redactive Media Group Ltd, 71-75 Shelton Street, London WC2H 9JQ