MRI Evolution<\/a>\u00a0platform, are putting the power to influence the quality and comfort of their workspaces firmly into the hands of the people occupying them day in and day out.<\/p>\nTraditionally, the role of the FM team in an organisation is overlooked or ignored by those using the site until something goes wrong. CAFM has the capacity to devolve this responsibility beyond this core team of managers, operatives and suppliers, and instead forge a more collaborative, interconnected environment.<\/p>\n
How can CAFM achieve this exactly? Here, we explore 7 ways CAFM solutions empower employees to directly impact and improve the condition of their workplace.<\/p>\n\n\n
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1. Inform the FM team of problems immediately<\/h2>\n\n
First, modern CAFM systems can increase recognition of the efforts of the FM team and inspire employees to actively report on issues in their workspace through a visible, informal communication platform. One that can be used and engaged with by anyone, relieving the burden on helpdesks to always be the bridge between these groups.<\/p>\n
Take\u00a0ChatLog\u00a0as an example of this in action. This CAFM application delivers an immediate, holistic picture of the current status of a site, especially when compared with the fragmented helpdesk model. Through this, employees can directly engage with the FM team about any problems they have encountered through their smartphones \u2013 something that\u2019s second nature to today\u2019s workforces.<\/p>\n
By using this system, issues are addressed in real-time. FMs can prioritise tasks based on how frequently they are cited by employees. They can judge the general feeling in a workspace based on employee feedback. It is true, two-way communication designed to keep a building as clean, organised and hospitable as possible, driven by the employee perspective.<\/p>\n
Plus, ChatLog also:<\/p>\n
\n- Allows employees to provide feedback on how quickly and effectively an issue was resolved, to determine if and where service improvements can be made<\/li>\n
- Directly logs tasks into your central CAFM platform<\/li>\n
- Enables employees to click \u2018me too\u2019 a task to avoid duplicate posts and excessive admin<\/li>\n
- Encourages widespread use by introducing point-scoring for users, with rewards and prizes for those that reach certain thresholds<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n
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<\/h2>\n2. Manage rooms and spaces throughout your facilities<\/h2>\n\n
Meeting rooms and spaces in a building often feel like hidden treasures. Crossed wires with the helpdesk, impromptu get-togethers and general miscommunication can lead to awkward, frustrating outcomes like double-bookings and no-shows.<\/p>\n
CAFM systems with dedicated\u00a0facilities booking software\u00a0make these problems a thing of the past. By presenting a reliable, real-time perspective on what rooms are available at what times, what features each room offers (projectors, whiteboards, number of seats, etc.) and streamlining the process of booking a room and inviting all participants, this software empowers employees to arrange these themselves with total confidence.<\/p>\n
No need to rely on the central helpdesk or keep track of multiple calendars \u2013 everything is managed in one place, so users can safely schedule their own meetings without risk of confusion later on.<\/p>\n
This solution can also be applied to desks, cubicles and workstations, allowing your workforce to benefit from flexible or hybrid working models.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n
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<\/h2>\n3. Share opinions, reach consensus<\/h2>\n\n
It can be hard to gauge how your workforce feels about a particular initiative before or after it is implemented. Physically asking their opinion is unfeasible, particularly for large firms, and many emails you send out may end up in people\u2019s trash folders.<\/p>\n
But, at the same time, employees want to know that their voice is being heard within their organisation. They want affirmation that their opinion matters and the company cares about what they have to say. CAFM platforms and apps can help give them that assurance that their input is valued, and give management a firm grasp on what they do and don\u2019t want.<\/p>\n
Apps like\u00a0Our Say\u00a0enable employees to vote and feedback on key decisions in how their building functions in a straightforward, streamlined way. Once an open idea is uploaded to the app, it can be voted and commented on to inform what steps are taken next. While traditional emails can be ignored, this dedicated platform creates a sense of community and helps engagement become a habit.<\/p>\n
Employees feel like they are guiding their company\u2019s future, making them feel empowered and strengthening their ties to the business. Meanwhile, decision-makers have a stronger sense of which path to take, and will benefit from a more motivated, committed workforce.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n
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<\/h2>\n4. Organise events with ease<\/h2>\n\n
Similar to space management, trying to organise events in a company can quickly descend into a disorganised mess. Email reminders are overlooked. Calendars are ignored. Mistakes are made and events overlap or never take place.<\/p>\n
CAFM systems can bring order to this potential chaos with apps such as\u00a0Our Events. This keeps employees fully aware of the upcoming events that will be taking place, which they can access at all times, and empowers them to create and share their own events with confidence that they will be seen and responded to.<\/p>\n
\n- Get instant responses from users, with quick actions buttons available (Going, Not Going, Maybe, etc.)<\/li>\n
- View all responses and attendees for each scheduled event on the calendar<\/li>\n
- Upload a map and directions for the event location to help people get there<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n
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<\/h2>\n5. Make work environments comfortable and reassuring<\/h2>\n\n
Beyond alerting the FM team of any spillages, messes and other unsightly issues that are hurting the appeal of their workspace, CAFM systems can also help employees create the most comfortable, favourable spaces possible through\u00a0smart building technology.<\/p>\n
There are many factors that can gradually make a person\u2019s working environment an unpleasant place to be. Temperatures that are too hot or too cold. High humidity. Lack of fresh, clean air. Lighting that is either too dull or too intense. It all plays a role, and failing to find the right balance can leave people feeling unmotivated and unproductive.<\/p>\n
The behavioural data that smart building sensors and cameras collect over time can make sure this never becomes an issue again. This creates a two-way conversation between a building and its occupants, with the building adjusting conditions automatically in accordance with how many people are occupying a space, time of day\/year, and further criteria.<\/p>\n
Employees can directly influence the parameters that the smart building utilises, fine-tuning this until the ideal balance is struck in all circumstances. Then, it is just a case of the\u00a0CAFM system\u00a0automatically adapting as the workspace environment changes throughout a typical day, maintaining the ideal environment for maximum comfort and productivity.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n