The more things change, the more they stay the same— especially when it comes to budgets and requirements. How does one keep up with it all? It is crucial to track, manage, and analyze property and infrastructure information to maintain or reduce operational costs. Here are a few tips to help you get the most out of your Integrated Workplace Management Software (IWMS) and keep up with all the changes thrown your way.
1. Collect as much (accurate) data as possible
What’s the saying? “Garbage in, garbage out?” You are only going to get usable analytics out of your IWMS if your data is accurate. That means entering all available data and validating it. The more accurate data you enter, the better your reports and analyses will be.
2. Integrate data
When we say all data, we mean all data. Your IWMS works best if you include data from all parts of the business: facilities, HR, finance, etc. Comprehensive data provides a high-level view of your most important assets—your people and workplace. It should allow you to dive deeper when needed and help optimize processes.
3. Track regulatory requirements and compliance
You likely deal with regulatory requirements and compliance on a regular basis—and probably even more so now with back-to-work requirements. Let your IWMS do most of the work. Using accurate data, you can easily track the depreciation of physical assets, manage data elements, and ensure building and equipment safety while complying with government requirements.
4. Maximize assets and resources
An IWMS analyzes the asset value and performance to help better prioritize capital spending. You can also manage the life cycle of physical assets such as property, buildings, equipment, and the ongoing expense of parts and supplies. A powerful IWMS optimizes asset and resource use.
5. Optimize space
Space is necessary, but costly—especially when you factor in social distancing requirements. An IWMS can help you view how your space is allocated across divisions, departments, and buildings. This allows you to track occupancy trends and easily move individuals and groups as needed.
6. Reduce operating and maintenance costs
Tracking life cycle expenditures on property, equipment, and infrastructure assets can be a daunting task. An IWMS helps maintain and analyze operating and maintenance costs, which can improve overall cost awareness. Use an IWMS to reduce response times by allowing instant web-based access to work orders and ticket status. You can even tie information from condition assessments to work order processes, and track labor and expenses by work order or project.
7. Automate and refine
Streamline operations using automated IWMS processes—then improve asset management, space optimization, and other critical organizational processes. Make data-driven decisions and identify and act on trends for planning and budgeting.
When selecting an IWMS, make sure it can check off as many possible boxes to get the most out of the tool.
