CAFM, IWMS, CMMS – meaningful facilities management technology terms or a jumble of letters?
We previously conducted a survey which revealed a level of confusion around software acronyms. It found facilities managers used a variety of different terms to describe FM software but many believed they all describe the same functionality.
Early results of our current survey in technology in FM reveal that more facilities managers are reverting back to calling their systems ‘FM software’, therefore avoiding the confusion around acronyms completely.
In 2014, 55% of UK survey respondents used the term CAFM (Computer-Aided Facilities Management) to describe the technology they use to support the FM function. This was followed by FM software with 16% of the votes, IWMS (Integrated Workplace Management System) and CMMS (Computerised Maintenance Management Software) both gained a share of 8%, with FMIS (Facilities Management Information System) and MMS (Maintenance Management System) lagging behind at 4% and 1% respectively.
We also found a trend marking a decline in the use of these acronyms, in 2012 65% of respondents stated they used the term CAFM to describe facilities management software.
These statistics show that although it is useful for a facilities manager to be aware of the multitude of terms used throughout the industry (and they do vary from country to country), they are also looking for simplicity when managing their buildings.
For this reason, Service Works Group has developed its facilities management software to be intuitive, easy to use and with wide ranging functionality, while also being one of the most powerful systems on the market.
For more information on our powerful FM software, QFM, call 020 8877 4080, or request a demonstration here.
