THE GREEN OFFICE
TECHNOLOGY - TAKING
FM INTO A NEW ERA
Technology is
transforming facilities
management -
providing the necessary
tools to create safer,
more cost-effective and
greener environments.
Here, Bob Flood,
managing director of
Vicinitee Limited, gives
an insight into some of
the latest hi-tech
advances.
Technology has long been a bedfellow of the
FM function - from overseeing heating, In 2001, Broadgate Estates Limited For the community aspect of the website,
ventilating and air conditioning systems, developed www.vicinitee.com to tap into the features such as details of venues and events
through to the recording of service calls on emerging trend. The concept developed with locally, online advertising services, shops and
helpdesk systems. two primary functions, online property services - including theatres, doctors and car
management tools and the creation of a hire nearby - as well as local deals in the
We are now witnessing a significant community around the actual building or vicinity help people connect with their
deepening and broadening of the development where the system is used. environment and the concept overall helps
relationship, delivering effective solutions for support sustainable local communities - an
facilities managers across a wide range of In today’s sustainable business culture, important cornerstone of corporate social
areas, including security, operational cost- the move towards this type of online support responsibility.
efficiency, sustainability and corporate is helping buildings to become greener and
social responsibility. more involved in their local community. For Green travel is also promoted with up-to-
example, in-house publications and manuals, the-minute information - including live web
The march of technology is itself creating such as user guides and health and safety cams of train stations showing of any delays,
new challenges for the facilities manager. The details, can be made available online - as well as online bus maps, which allow
increasing prevalence of IP-based (Internet drastically cutting printing needs and offering people to plot their most efficient way home
Protocol) networks means that it is possible to the ability to add updates as necessary. using an interactive service.
link the various building systems together in
ways unimaginable in the past, and exercise Paper chases can be cut with document An example of the internet driving
management almost down to an individual management systems specifically designed forward a new era in property management
light bulb. for landlords, building managers and is demonstrated at one of London’s best-
premises managers. Key documents and known buildings, 30 St Mary Axe.
Such technology is greatly enhancing the drawings such as fit out guides, floor plans
FM team’s ability to fine-tune a property’s and design guidelines can also be stored in a The property management team, 30 St
building management systems (BMS’s) such central directory, easily accessible to everyone Mary Axe Management Company Limited
as cooling systems and ventilation systems. who needs them, whenever they need them. (30SMAMC) wanted a bespoke, effective
Lighting can also be controlled and delivered property management tool, providing
more efficiently - a significant factor in view Furthermore, parking bays can be information services for those working in the
of the fact it can account for up to 40% of a booked, cutting down on queuing, building. Previously, 30 St Mary Axe had used
building’s energy usage. congestion and waiting in the drop-off zone. a property management intranet, providing
useful building information, but this was not
Ultimately, technology is enabling FM to Air con and heating requirements can as widely used as it could have been.
switch from the administrative to high value also be booked online, meaning lone out-of-
asset and resource management - with the hours workers log their heating and air con They wanted to develop a more creative,
function moving away from a ‘break/fix’ needs as required, so whole buildings don’t innovative, lively and interactive online
environment to an increasingly strategic have to be powered unnecessarily. product, which tenants and occupiers would
planning role. use time and time again.
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SUSTAINABLE FM | NOVEMBER 2007
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