Facilities management is a highly complex discipline that requires both a logical infrastructure and coordination between many departments in real time. These tasks are ideal for computerised systems and so a wide assortment of facilities management software has been developed. Such software can be used to do everything from creating timetables, calculating costs of operation and billing, to controlling the buildings air-conditioning and heating systems. Essentially, these software systems allow facilities management to effectively manage their physical assets and maintenance operations.
An example of a key task well-suited to facility maintenance software is the creation and the scheduling of maintenance jobs. Computerised systems allow the planning of maintenance of equipment and facilities according to specific time periods. The software also automatically tracks the maintenance costs of different equipment.
Owing to their complexity, these software systems are organised into modules, each of which deals with a specialised function. These include work order management, maintenance management, inventory management, contract management, asset management, material management, space management, fleet management, project management, utility management and preventive maintenance management.
As each organisation is different, these modules need to be customised. They also need to be scalable and upgradeable to be able to handle future expansion and development. The systems need to integrate with existing management information systems to allow senior management access to the data they produce. And with the various end users in mind, the programs need to be designed for ease-of-use. To ensure integrity, rigorous documentation must be produced along with the software.
An example of a key task well-suited to facility maintenance software is the creation and the scheduling of maintenance jobs. Computerised systems allow the planning of maintenance of equipment and facilities according to specific time periods. The software also automatically tracks the maintenance costs of different equipment.
Owing to their complexity, these software systems are organised into modules, each of which deals with a specialised function. These include work order management, maintenance management, inventory management, contract management, asset management, material management, space management, fleet management, project management, utility management and preventive maintenance management.
As each organisation is different, these modules need to be customised. They also need to be scalable and upgradeable to be able to handle future expansion and development. The systems need to integrate with existing management information systems to allow senior management access to the data they produce. And with the various end users in mind, the programs need to be designed for ease-of-use. To ensure integrity, rigorous documentation must be produced along with the software.