Researching which Computer-Aided Facility Management (CAFM) system will transform your operations? Exploring which CAFM system will elevate your facility operations to the next level? If so, this is the article for you.
A modern CAFM system streamlines space planning, asset management, and maintenance, driving efficiency. In this article, you’ll learn about some of the best (and worst) CAFM systems in operation. By the end, you’ll be able to determine the right approach for your operation.
Three of the top Computer-Aided Facility Management (CAFM) systems, in alphabetical order
- FM:Systems: A cloud-based Computer-Aided Facility Management (CAFM)/Integrated workplace management (IWMS) leader, FM:Systems excels in space optimisation, asset tracking, and maintenance scheduling. Its CAD and BIM integrations enable interactive floor plans, perfect for corporate offices and universities. With mobile applications and advanced analytics, it supports real-time decisions and stakeholder collaboration.
- IBM TRIRIGA: This robust Computer-Aided Facility Management (CAFM)/Integrated workplace management (IWMS) platform offers tools for space utilisation, lease management, and predictive maintenance. Its AI-driven insights and IoT integration ensure compliance and efficiency, making it ideal for healthcare and government facilities with scalable cloud access.
- Facilio: A mobile-first Computer-Aided Facility Management (CAFM) system, Facilio unifies maintenance, space management, and energy tracking across multiple sites. Its IoT connectivity and real-time dashboards suit retail and commercial real estate, while flexible pricing supports businesses of all sizes.
From top-tier to troublesome: the worst Computer-Aided Management approaches
While modern CAFM systems optimise operations, outdated methods create inefficiencies due to their restrictive nature. Here are three approaches to avoid:
- Manual logbooks: Simple, low-cost, and requiring no software, logbooks provide a physical record for tracking basic maintenance or space usage. Prone to human error, loss, or illegible handwriting, they offer no automation or scalability. Data retrieval is slow, and they lack analytics or integration, making them unsuitable for dynamic facility needs. Logbooks are outdated, only viable for tiny operations, not enterprise-level facility management.
- Email-based tracking: Free, widely accessible, and familiar, emails allow teams to share facility updates and schedules with minimal setup. Disorganised and hard to track, emails lack automation, real-time updates, or asset management features. Searching for past records is time-consuming, and there’s no integration with space planning or maintenance tools, leading to missed tasks and chaos. Email tracking is a makeshift solution for small teams but collapses under the demands of complex facility management.
- Basic calendar applications: Affordable and user-friendly, calendar applications offer basic scheduling for maintenance or room bookings with reminders. Not designed for Computer-Aided Facility Management (CAFM), they lack space management, asset tracking, or IoT integration. Limited reporting and customisation hinder complex workflows, making them inefficient for large-scale facilities. Calendar applications handle simple scheduling but fail to meet the specialised needs of comprehensive facility management.
Investing in a proper Computer-Aided Facility Management (CAFM) system, empowers facilities with automation, real-time insights, and scalability. Steer clear of email tracking, manual logbooks, and basic calendar apps to avoid roadblocks down the road.
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