Why facility management will remain an outdated industry in 2025

Resistance to change in facility management is deeply rooted and often caused by traditional structures. Over the years, many companies have established fixed processes and systems that are considered reliable. However, this entrenchment means that innovations, particularly in the area of computer-aided facility management (CAFM) are only hesitantly accepted. Practical experience shows that such traditional structures are not only inefficient, but also hinder the potential of new technologies such as digital building management or maintenance software.

• Fixed hierarchies: Decision-makers in the facility management industry are often trapped in rigid hierarchies that make it difficult to act quickly and adapt flexibly to new technologies.
• Resistance to change: Deep-rooted resistance to change can demotivate the entire team. Many employees feel more secure in familiar routines and shy away from digital solutions.
• Lack of vision: A clear plan for the Implementation from CAFM-systems often seems to be lacking. This may be due to a lack of strategic orientation or a lack of understanding of the available technologies.

Another obstacle is the lack of training. According to a study conducted in 2022, 64 % of facility management executives stated that inadequate training programmes prevent the effective use of facility management. Software (source: IFMA). This clearly shows how important it is to equip both employees and decision-makers with the necessary skills to fulfil the Advantages of modern solutions.

"The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, but the illusion of knowledge." - Stephen Hawking

The realities speak for themselves: to be successful, companies must be prepared to question their traditions and engage more actively with new technologies. A clear communication strategy can help to allay fears and prepare the workforce for change. This includes

• Transparent communication: Open discussions about the benefits of new systems promote a positive attitude towards change.
• Promote collaboration: Interdisciplinary teams can open up new perspectives and create innovative approaches.
• Establishment of best practices: Sharing successful implementations can serve as motivation and reduce inhibitions.

Ultimately, it requires a cultural change within organisations in order to realise the full potential of facility management. Only if the industry is prepared to discard old ways of thinking and break new ground will it be able to meet the challenges of the modern world.

A key aspect that pushes facility management into the background is the lack of integration of technology. Despite the availability of advanced software solutions, for example in the field of Computer Aided Facility Management (CAFM), the use of modern technologies often falls short of the possibilities. This not only has an impact on the Efficiencybut also on the competitiveness of companies.

To better understand this issue, we should consider a few key points:

• Fragmented systems: Many organisations use a variety of software solutions for different building management tasks without these systems communicating with each other. This leads to information silos and increased administrative effort.
• Insufficient data analysis: Reporting tools that are limited to individual databases hinder the ability to extract relevant information from large amounts of data. This means that valuable potential remains unutilised.
• Adaptation to new technologies: The integration of IoT (Internet of Things) and other innovative approaches is often perceived as too complex or costly.

The challenge lies not only in the introduction of new technologies, but also in their effective utilisation. One example of this is building information systems (BIM), which could enable seamless management and monitoring, but are often not fully implemented. According to a study by McKinsey & Company, a comprehensive Digitisation increase productivity in facility management by up to 30 % (source: McKinsey & Company). These figures illustrate the enormous savings potential and efficiency gains that can be achieved through digital solutions.

"Technology alone is not enough. It's about how you use it." - Tim Cook

Another critical point is maintenance management. By using specialised maintenance software, companies could not only cut costs but also reduce downtime. Nevertheless, many companies are reluctant to abandon their usual processes and turn to modernised methods.

To make the leap into the digital The future the following strategies should be pursued:

• Collaboration between departments: The exchange between IT departments and facility management teams can help to develop integrative solutions.
• Use of cloud technologies: Cloud-based facility management software enables easy access to Data and improves collaboration throughout the company.
• Training for employees: Regular training is essential to ensure that all employees are familiar with the new technologies.

Ultimately, it will take courage and determination on the part of facility management (and IT!) executives to bring about the necessary change. Only through the comprehensive integration of technology can this sector strengthen its position in the digital age and remain fit for the future.

A key reason why facility management remains outdated in many aspects is the insufficient Digitisation of processes. Despite the availability of advanced technologies and software solutions such as Computer Aided Facility Management (CAFM), many organisations struggle with inefficient, often paper-based processes. This not only leads to wasted time, but also to higher costs and reduced competitiveness.

There are many reasons for this lack of digitalisation:

• Resistance to digital change: Many employees are used to traditional working methods and shy away from the introduction of new technologies for fear of being overwhelmed or feeling insecure.
• Insufficient investment: The need for modern facility management software is often not recognised, which leads to below-average investment in digital solutions.
• Lack of understanding of the benefits: Decision-makers often do not see the immediate benefits of digital systems and are therefore reluctant to introduce changes.

According to a survey by market research company Gartner, 61 % of facility management executives stated that their organisations are struggling to successfully implement digital transformation (source: Gartner). This clearly shows the need for action in the industry.

"The greatest danger in dealing with change is not the change itself, but holding on to old patterns."

One example of this problem is maintenance management. Companies that rely on manual or fragmented systems lose valuable time when planning and carrying out maintenance work. However, the use of specialised maintenance software could reduce the Efficiency and minimise downtimes. However, the reality often falls short of these possibilities.

A few steps are recommended to meet these challenges:

• Establishment of a digital Strategy: Companies should have a clear Strategy to gradually integrate digital technologies. This involves analysing existing processes in detail and identifying potential for improvement.
• Training programmes for employees: Regular training is necessary to ensure that all employees are familiar with the new tools and recognise their benefits.
• Promote collaboration between departments: The exchange between IT experts and facility management teams can help to create integrative solutions and reduce resistance to change.

All in all, it depends on a cultural change within the organisation. Only if companies are prepared to fundamentally question their processes and adopt innovative technologies will they be able to realise the full potential of facility management.

Another reason why facility management often lags behind in the modern world is the underutilisation of data analytics. At a time when companies are surrounded by vast amounts of data, many facility management organisations seem to miss the opportunity to use this valuable information. The reasons for this are manifold and require a closer look.

• Lack of data collection: Many companies do not have systematic processes for recording and storing relevant data. Data implemented. Effective analyses are hardly possible without a solid database.
• Insufficient analysis tools: Facility management teams often do not have adequate tools at their disposal to efficiently analyse large volumes of data. This leads to important insights being lost.
• Lack of expertise: Many employees in facility management have not received the necessary knowledge or training to integrate data analysis as part of their daily work.

According to a study by the Institute for Facility Management, 70 % of respondents stated that they are unable to generate actionable information from the data they collect (source: IFM). These figures illustrate the enormous potential that can be realised through the Implementation effective analysis tools and training programmes.

"Data alone is not enough. The real power lies in the ability to interpret it correctly."

One example of the success of data-driven approaches in facility management can be found in the area of maintenance management. By using maintenance software, companies can plan and carry out maintenance work efficiently. This not only reduces costs, but also extends the service life of technical systems. A good example of this is the Computerised Maintenance Management System (CMMS), which enables maintenance requests to be recorded and adjusted automatically and maintenance histories to be managed centrally.

The following strategies should be pursued to promote the use of data analyses in facility management:

• Implementation of robust data acquisition systems: The introduction of building information systems can help to systematically collect relevant data and make it accessible.
• Use of specialised analysis tools: The use of modern software solutions for building data analyses can help to gain valuable insights from the collected data.
• Training initiatives for employees: Regular training on the importance of data analysis in facility management should be an integral part of the Corporate culture become.

Ultimately, it is crucial to develop an awareness that data-driven decisions in facility management are not just an option - they are a necessity. Only by actively utilising data-based approaches can the industry increase its efficiency and position itself for the future.

In an IT-driven world in which technological innovations are advancing rapidly, facility management experts are faced with a crucial question: how can we utilise the potential of new technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and BIM (Building Information Modelling) integration? These technologies not only offer the opportunity to optimise processes, but also to significantly increase efficiency. Unfortunately, progress in many organisations is lagging behind the possibilities.

IoT technologies enable real-time monitoring of buildings and their systems. Sensors can record data on temperature, air quality or energy consumption and transmit it to centralised systems. This information is invaluable for maintenance management:

• Preventive Maintenance: Continuous monitoring allows problems to be recognised at an early stage, resulting in less downtime.
• Energy saving: The use of IoT can help to optimise energy consumption, thereby reducing costs and environmental impact.

According to a study by Deloitte, the use of IoT in facility management could reduce operating costs by up to 15 % (source: Deloitte). This is a compelling argument for facility management teams to look into these technologies.

BIM integration also opens up new perspectives for facility management. Digital models allow buildings to be comprehensively analysed as early as the planning phase. This has the following advantages:

• Better decision making: Decisions are based on realistic models and data analyses rather than assumptions.
• Cost savings: Errors can be identified at the planning stage, which avoids subsequent costs.

Despite these clear benefits, many organisations remain reluctant to adopt IoT and BIM technologies. implement. A common obstacle is the fear of complex integration into existing systems. Targeted training and workshops could help to increase understanding of these technologies and promote their acceptance within the team.

To summarise, the integration of new technologies such as IoT and BIM offers enormous opportunities for facility management. However, the industry must be prepared to take the plunge into the digital future. The transformation of the FM industry can only succeed through bold decisions and active training.

The future of facility management is inextricably linked to sustainable practices. In an age of environmental awareness and resource conservation, facility management professionals must adopt innovative and sustainable approaches to meet the demands of the modern world. In the context of Computer Aided Facility Management (CAFM), there are numerous opportunities that are not only economically advantageous, but also contribute to improving the environmental balance.

A central aspect of sustainable facility management is the Optimisation of energy consumption. Studies show that buildings account for up to 40 % of global energy consumption (source: UN Environment Programme). By using intelligent facility management software, companies can systematically monitor and analyse their energy consumption. This allows potential savings to be identified and resources to be utilised more efficiently:

• Energy management solutions: The implementation of software solutions for monitoring and analysing energy consumption not only leads to cost savings, but also to reduced CO2 emissions.Balance sheet.
• Automation of processes: Automated building management can reduce inefficiencies and cut operating costs at the same time.
• Sustainability management in the building industry: The integration of sustainability goals into the Corporate strategy promotes responsible property management.

"The best way to leave a good impression is to leave a footprint - but not at the expense of our environment."

Another example of the benefits of a sustainable approach to facility management is maintenance management. The use of maintenance software not only enables preventative Maintenance technical systems, but also contributes to extending the service life of the building infrastructure. According to a study by McKinsey & Company, preventive maintenance can reduce operating costs by up to 20 % (source: McKinsey & Company). These savings are not only easy on the budget, but also minimise the environmental impact.

Last but not least, employee training also plays a decisive role in the implementation of sustainable measures in facility management. A well-informed workforce can actively contribute to reducing a company's ecological footprint through responsible behaviour:

• Promote collaboration: Cooperation between departments can help to create synergies for sustainable projects.
• Establishment of best practices: Sharing successful approaches within the company motivates all employees to play an active role in shaping a sustainable organisation. Corporate culture.
• Recognition of achievements: The appreciation of environmentally friendly initiatives increases the commitment of all those involved and promotes an awareness of Sustainability.

Ultimately, sustainable facility management requires a holistic strategy: from the introduction of modern technology to effective maintenance management and the promotion of a culture of sustainability - these measures are crucial for success in the digital age. Only if companies are prepared to reorganise their processes in line with the principles of sustainable development will they be able to compete internationally and make a valuable contribution to environmental protection at the same time.