As we head towards the end of the year, we reflect on the challenges and opportunities of 2022. The working world is evolving; using technology to overcome the new and emerging obstacles has been vital within the FM industry. We’re pleased to provide tools, through QFM software, to help and support organisations meet changing needs.
In addition to developments in FM, we recognise devastating global events have unfolded this year – notably Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This year, rather than sending seasonal cards, we have made donations to support three different international charity organisations’ relief and recovery efforts in Ukraine: Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders), Red Cross International and UNHCR.
Software Launches
QFM Software Updates
The release of QFM 4.2 has marked several new enhancements across both QFM and the QFM Mobile App. These include developments to provide a better user experience and extensions to existing functionality – from improved scheduling accuracy within QFM’s SFG20 integration to advances to the QFM Document Viewer.
This continues in the QFM Mobile App with both Landscape and QFM Online Mode now offering an improved user experience for operatives using tablets or larger devices to complete maintenance jobs. In addition to this, QFM 4.2 allows operatives to assign outstanding visits to themselves directly, saving time and avoiding work having to be routed via busy helpdesk teams. Operatives can apply filters such as site and location to select relevant jobs to self-assign whilst in the field.
SWG Consulting Services – 2023 Price Increase
As a reminder, From 1st January 2023, SWG will be increasing consulting service day rates by 8.8%. We have not increased pricing for several years; however, the imminent price increase being implemented is well below what would be necessary to keep up with the annual inflation rate we are facing for supplier pricing, staff costs and other operating expenditure. We are committed to keeping our pricing as cost-effective as possible. Please note that all orders for consulting services which are confirmed up to and including 31st December 2022 will be honoured at the current rates.
Partnerships
Smart Buildings and Integration
Last month, London’s ExCeL exhibition centre hosted the Smart Buildings Show with a particular focus on sustainability and ESG (environmental, social and governance) targets, and how digitising processes within buildings can help achieve them. Our blog, Smart Buildings and Integration details the discussion that SWG experts led at the event exploring the opportunities for specialised FM software to optimise building performance and the increasing need to collaborate smart building technology and CAFM systems to drive improvements for the industry.
SWG, IWFM and Microsoft: The Digital Twin Webinar Series
The second webinar in The Digital Twin Journey series hosted by IWFM’s Technology Special Interest Group featured Paul McCarthy, our CTO, alongside an accomplished panel including Quam Adewale, Industry Strategy Lead for the Built Environment at Microsoft. They provided insight on how to embark on generating a digital twin, practical advice on building information models and leveraging reality capture technology to move towards data-driven operations. Catch up on the insightful discussion by watching the webinar on demand.
The Digital Journey from Construction Through to Facilities Management at University of Worcester
Service Works Global has partnered with its sister company Symetri and Stepnell Construction to transform a dated building at the University of Worcester into a first-class centre for the education of health professionals. The university had a clear vision of wanting to use BIM on the project as well as ensuring that all data relevant to facilities management post-handover could pass through to the CAFM system. Read more in our case study.
One Global Team
Many of our global employees gathered in Stockholm, Sweden this quarter for our annual conference. This included inspiring conference sessions, workshops and interaction under the theme of sustainability – Working Smarter for a Better Future, a topic to which SWG, and our parent company, Addnode Group is committed. It was a great opportunity to share inspirational ideas and priorities for the year ahead. Watch our short video to discover what it’s like to work with the SWG team.
BIM and FM Knowledge Share
Experts from SWG were featured in various journals this quarter, looking at how CAFM, BIM and digitisation can play a pivotal role in meeting operational objectives:
Digitisation and the Advancement of CAFM Software
CAFM requirements have gone beyond purely asset management and there is huge scope for smart technology integration. SWG discussed with FM Director magazine how CAFM is evolving to assist a dynamic work environment through integration with sensors collecting valuable data, BIM to support safety and maintenance, and sustainability.
Digitisation of the FM industry can be clearly seen with the rise of remote technology such as virtual models. Virtual models can take the form of a basic 3D model showing floors, walls and ceilings; a BIM model which contains usable data on the building and its assets; or a visualisation. Facilitate magazine asked Penny Brinsley, Account Director at SWG, about how FM can play a valuable support role to marketing and IT when creating a virtual model of facilities.
Smart Buildings – How to Capture Data and Integrate Systems
As smart buildings grow in popularity, the next hurdle for users to overcome is understanding what data is necessary to capture, how to utilise it, and how to integrate it with existing software. Advice from Hazel Bedson, Marketing Director at SWG, talking to FMUK, is to have a clear goal in mind; start with a small test area; and make sure whatever software you purchase will integrate with existing systems. Those looking to reap the benefits of a smart building have plenty of options to choose from.
Improving Sustainability Through Technology
Colleges, universities and schools account for a significant proportion of the built environment, which is collectively responsible for 40% of all carbon emissions. The last few years have seen a surge in awareness and support around environmental change, especially within the student body where 87% feel their university should take sustainability more seriously. There are many ways that FM can provide greater sustainable practices to an education estate, as discussed in this article with FMJ. Our client Dean Close School in the UK shared how they are using QFM software to successfully streamline the management of assets, reduce paper usage and optimise efficiency.
CAFM systems can provide detailed insight into energy usage and solutions. They can unlock a number of time and cost benefits relating to asset and maintenance management through streamlining workloads and supporting data-driven decisions. Gary Watkins, CEO, considers how to utilise software to create energy efficient buildings in this article with Energy Management magazine.
For more details on any of these items, please email us at info@swg.com.