What is Facilities Management? – Hard vs. Soft

A Facilities Management Definition:

“An organization that integrates the functions of the people, places and processes in the built environment with the aim of improving the quality of life and productivity of the core business.”

Quite simple facility management is the management and maintenance of commercial buildings, covering everything needed to keep people alive, safe and productive.

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This can include everything from building maintenance to catering and vending services.

Facility Management is divided into two areas:  Hard and Soft

Hard facilities management refers to the physical structures such as pipes and air conditioning, while the soft refers to elements that are managed by people, such as cleaning and security.

These two elements combined are essential to ensure your building runs as smoothly as possible!

Examples of Hard Facilities Management:

Maintenance of buildings

CCTV system

System access

Air conditioning

Fire safety

Structural maintenance

Heating & Ventilation Systems

Mechanical & Electrical Services

Examples of Soft Facilities Management:

Pest control

Cleaning service

Grounds Maintenance

Security services

Catering & Vending

Janitorial service

Waste handling

Concierge & Reception Service

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Why is Facilities Management so important?

Like many services, facilities management tends to go unnoticed until something goes wrong! Given the wide range of services included, the decision to outsource this service to a particular service provider will relieve the manager of the facility all the challenges that come along with maintaining the building. For Groundworks and facilities management, visit a site like https://www.chewvalleyconstruction.co.uk/facilities-management-ppm/

Believe it or not, the maintenance and operations of a building consume 70 percent of the total cost of ownership for the facility.

Facilities Management can:

Reduce costs and optimize investment

Improve operational utilization, availability and flexibility

Adhere to environmental standards and address concerns

Maintain regulatory compliance

Improve safety and reduce risk

Provide an interesting, productive environment

It is believed that an outsourced facility management package will reduce the amount of time and effort that is spent running and maintaining a building. Using a service provider will greatly reduce the time spent dealing with various third-party companies. It will also reduce the number of invoices received from respective companies. It is much more straightforward and simpler to receive one consolidated invoice that lists all of the services performed during the financial period from one facilities management company.

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