GIS and Facilities Management: the right time for a new partnership
Why Location Intelligence Is Becoming the Core of Facilities Management
Facilities Management (FM) and Geospatial Information Systems (GIS) are two unique worlds which, until now, rarely intersect. The FM world is managed through spreadsheets, CAD drawings, and siloed maintenance systems. Whereas the GIS world had primarily focussed on mapping.
There have been examples of integration between the two systems but not really a dedicated location-based FM application. This separation is now disappearing, and the convergence of geospatial software and FM is no longer a “nice to have” but becoming a competitive necessity. So what’s changed to create this relatively new partnership?
1. From Maps to Spatial Insight
GIS has shifted from static maps and cartography to dynamic data platforms that focus on location-based relationships between one thing and another, to create an insight that might previously not have existed.
This is relevant for FM as operational and financial teams can assess how assets interact with people, energy and the environment which is all based on where something is located. A few examples:
- Office Space Utilisation: other than people, real estate costs are often the highest Opex category. In the post-pandemic era, office utilisation is a critical focus area with office space occupancy decreasing by 30-40% in recent years due to the rise of hybrid and remote working models. The ability to accurately measure office usage enables operational cost efficiencies.
- Energy usage: understanding which areas consume (or waste) the most energy not only enables operating cost efficiencies but enables accurate ESG reporting – one of the priority areas of any business in any sector. 68% of companies now adopt sustainable practices based on energy efficiency measures.
2. IOT devices: Providing Real-Time Accurate Information
An asset and all the data relating to that asset, via an IOT sensor, can be now monitored accurately and in real time (or near real-time). For example:
- Office Utilisation: the office space utilisation relationships listed above can be enhanced with sensor data. Workspace usage can be tracked at whatever level is required eg. building usage (entry access), room usage (with motion sensors) or even down to individual desks sensors for hotdesk monitoring.
- Predictive Maintenance: good FM tools will ensure scheduled maintenance is completed in accordance with the operating manual. However, with the addition of relatively low cost IoT sensors, FM staff can monitor variables such temperature & vibration on critical assets and be alerted to indicators where predictive maintenance is required to prevent malfunction and critical failures. Research indicates that predictive maintenance can reduce overall maintenance costs by 18-25% while cutting unplanned downtime by up to 50%. These are proven returns with plenty of use cases across multiple sectors that can support investment decisions. Adding the location component can further add efficiencies through planning maintenance relating to location and gaining insight into how different assets, their location, and environment affect performance.
3. Dynamic Data Models to create a Digital Twin
This is a move from static data, traditionally the case for FM, to a dynamic data model which can optimise performance against cost, and then with Artificial Intelligence (AI) to predictive analysis (based on modelling & simulation) rather than simply reporting ie. a Digital Twin. This is then enhanced again with integration to external data sources such as utilities, weather, environment and transport.
A good example is real-time energy usage. IoT devices provide energy consumption in real- time and, when aligned with historic energy consumption data, an AI model can identify patterns, provide insights, & predict demand based on seasonal and operational fluctuations. This is, in effect, an energy management capability that can be aligned with ESG targets and office utilisation data.
Gartner predicts that by 2027, over 50% of asset-intensive organisations will use digital twins to drive decision making.
Where’s the Real Value in location-based FM Tools?
FM managers are initially interested in FM specific geospatial software tools such as VertiGIS FM for accurate visualisation of all their assets on an interactive map with data in one place to assist with compliance & reporting as the baseline value. But the real gain is Opex reduction through predictive optimisation.
With floorplans, CAD/BIM and IoT data all seamlessly interacting, within workflows, the future isn’t about maintaining facilities but underpinning an organisation’s workplace strategy through a connected ecosystem which has location as a core function.
This is where geospatial software adds the “connective tissue” ensuring compliance, reducing risk, providing cost forecasting certainty, leading the ESG agenda, supporting growth, and reducing operational expenditure. This is a strategic-level enabler which is of as much interest to the CFO and COO as the facilities team.
Location transforms facilities into strategy
Nabil Lodey, Managing Director of UK & Ireland at 1Spatial, shared his insights:
“The convergence of Facilities Management and Geospatial Information Systems creates significant competitive advantage. Location-based intelligence and real-time data now offers a new two-tier opportunity. The first delivering immediate operating cost savings and ensuring compliance & ESG reporting, with a full visualisation of the estate. The second is a digital twin to predict optimisation from office space to energy usage which supports the wider business strategy and is of real interest to COOs and CFOs as a strategic-level enabler. The future isn’t about maintaining facilities but underpinning an organisation’s workplace strategy through a connected ecosystem which has location as a core function.”
Article written by Nabil Lodey
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