While conducting research on building management software solutions, it’s probable that you’ve come across a number of abbreviations, like CMMS, CAFM, IWMS, EAM, and a slew of other terms that are difficult to remember. Keeping track of all these acronyms is one thing; selecting the most appropriate building management software system for your firm is an entirely different story.
Do you have a feeling of being overwhelmed? Don’t be like that. In this piece, we’ll set the record straight on several misconceptions. This article describes five of the most prevalent types of facility management software solutions, what they accomplish, and how they’re intended for use to assist you in meeting your most key operational goals.
There are many different types of facility management software. Here are some examples:
1. Computerized maintenance management system (CMMS)
“Computerized maintenance management system” (CMMS) is an abbreviation. This type of software is generally used by maintenance technicians, managers, janitorial employees, facility personnel, and other facilities personnel to manage their businesses’ maintenance and repair programs. A CMMS may be used by an organization to triage service calls, track work orders, manage asset information and expenses, schedule preventative maintenance tasks, organize paperwork, and other necessary functions.
Advantages of a CMMS:
A Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) is an excellent choice for small businesses that want to save time, enhance efficiency, and cut expenses to boost their bottom line. Consider a building maintenance management system if you are searching for a more affordable software solution to help you better manage your buildings, spaces, equipment, and assets. Most CMMS solutions available today are cloud-based, which means your solution will not require manual updates throughout the year.
3. Facility Management Software (also known as FMS).
Facility Management Software provides all of the features of a conventional CMMS (as discussed above) but goes beyond these capabilities by including additional applications that benefit the entire business. CMMS is a type of computerized maintenance management system (CMMS). The following departmental processes can be performed and managed by facilities departments with the use of facility management software:
- Asset mapping that is dependent on location
- Asset Management
- Maintenance Management
- Management of preventive maintenance programs
- Data analytics and reporting
The implementation of facility management software will also benefit leadership teams because the data produced by the program can throw light on the strengths and flaws of current operations, which will be beneficial to them.
The following are some of the advantages of facility management software:
The capacity to manage maintenance-related activities and acquire data-driven insight into operations are the primary benefits cited by operations teams when discussing facility management software. The data gathered eventually indicates the most cost-effective improvements that can be implemented, both now and in the future. A building infrastructure platform will also include the following components:
- An inspection application increases the efficiency of inspection rounds and demonstrates compliance with OSHA, the Joint Commission, the ACHC, and other regulatory authorities.
- Native mobile application that can be accessed and updated by anyone, at any time, from any location to access and update facility related information.
Overall, the data collected in an infrastructure platform will assist your firm in securing operations, reducing delayed maintenance, meeting regulatory compliance needs, and making more informed high-level business decisions.
4. Computer-assisted facility management (CAFM) software is another option.
CAFM stands for Computer-Aided Facility Management. Building operations management software (CAFM) allows users to plan, execute, and monitor actions in their buildings that are related to maintenance. Aside from that, CAFM software enables customers to optimize space management, room reservations, asset management, facilities services, and other customer-focused activities inside a company.
The following are advantages of a CAFM:
CAFM software is a fantastic solution for operations teams who want to optimize the management and use of spaces within their buildings and gain a more comprehensive picture of what’s going on throughout their entire portfolio of properties. Several commercial asset management software packages are available today that can integrate facility management and corporate real estate procedures into a single solution.
Another advantage of CAFM software is connecting CAD drawings with space management and layout design. This is particularly useful in the construction industry. You might benefit from using a CAFM program if you want to improve long-term planning of maintenance, space, facilities, and budgets to ensure they are in optimal alignment with business requirements.
5. An Integrated Workplace Management System (IWMS)
IWMS stands for Integrated Workplace Management System. IWMS is a software platform that assists a business in making the most of its workplace resources. For example, an organization’s real estate portfolio, infrastructure, and facilities assets can all be managed by using an IWMS program. IWMS software is a centralized solution for scheduling maintenance, tracking capital projects, and lowering energy use in a single platform.
The following are advantages of an IWMS:
IWMS software is used to maximize the usefulness of an organization’s resources and assets, all inside a single software platform, where information can be shared across stakeholders. If your organization requires a platform and database repository to handle any (or all) of the following domains, you may benefit from implementing an IWMS software:
- Management of Commercial Real Estate
- Management of Leases
- Management of Physical Space
- Management of Assets and Maintenance
- Management of Projects
- Sustainability in the Environmental Field
6. Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) Software – also known as Asset Management Software.
EAM software is an abbreviation for enterprise asset management. The breadth of assets throughout an organization’s departments, locations, facilities, and business operations is referred to as the enterprise scope (like Human Resources, Procurements, and Inventory). While a CMMS will be focused primarily on maintenance, an EAM software system will also include the business areas and functions listed above as part of the overall system.
CMMS systems will begin recording asset information and performance only after the asset has been purchased and installed, whereas an asset management system will track asset information and performance throughout the asset lifecycle, beginning with planning and installation.
EAM Advantages:
Enterprise asset management (EAM) is a process that tries to manage physical assets and equipment over their entire lifecycle to maximize their usable life, decrease costs, improve quality, and increase efficiency. If your organization is seeking a solution to connect maintenance activity information with the associated labor, inventory, materials, tools, and other information from facilities and other departments, an EAM system is a good choice.
SOFTWARE THAT ENSURES EXCELLENCE IN OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE IN YOUR BUILDINGS
Using the power of data-driven building management, CloudApper facility management software is specifically developed to assist your business in extending the useful life of buildings and assets throughout your organization.
Users will be up and running from the first day they use intuitive software that is simple to configure and use. Take command of your organization’s facilities-related key performance indicators (KPIs) by leveraging the app’s data reporting and analytics features. To obtain your desired return on investment, you must first determine the exact cost of operations and then track maintenance costs.