Harnessing Data-Driven Approaches for Enhanced Facility Management: Insights from Jill Frey (FDS)

In today's rapidly evolving technological landscape, data has become a critical asset for businesses across all industries. Jill Frey, the chairwoman of Facility Data Standard, offers a compelling vision of how data-driven approaches can revolutionise facility management, ensuring cleaner, more efficient, and environmentally friendly buildings.

The Power of Data in Facility Management

Jill Frey emphasises the transformative potential of data in enhancing cleanliness and operational efficiency within facilities. "It's really been exciting, the data that you can grab from a building," she notes. By tracking the number of people in a building, their locations, and activities, facility managers can make informed decisions about which areas need cleaning and when. This targeted approach not only ensures a higher standard of cleanliness but also optimises labour resources in an era where labour is increasingly scarce.

One of the key benefits highlighted by Jill is the ability to save labour by cleaning only those areas that are in use. "For example, if an employee doesn't come into the office for a week, we don't clean that office for a week," she explains. This level of precision in cleaning schedules reduces unnecessary labour and directs resources to where they are most needed, ultimately enhancing overall efficiency.

Environmental and Regulatory Benefits

Beyond operational efficiency, data-driven approaches are crucial for meeting environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals and complying with government standards. Frey points out the importance of data in tracking and reducing a building's carbon footprint, managing energy consumption, and improving recycling efforts. "It's really important for the environment, for our ESG goals, for our government standards to make sure that we're calculating that, tracking that, and using that data to push those down and to make a better world," she says.

By understanding and monitoring energy usage, waste management, and other environmental factors, facilities can implement more sustainable practices. This not only helps in regulatory compliance but also aligns with the growing emphasis on corporate social responsibility and environmental stewardship.

The Role of AI in Facility Management

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is another frontier in data-driven facility management, and Jill Frey is enthusiastic about its potential. "Of course, we just have AI everywhere, and we're trying to understand how do we use AI with the data," she observes. AI can process vast amounts of data, identify patterns, and make predictions that inform decision-making.

For instance, AI can help predict building usage based on various factors like holidays, weather conditions, and local events. "You can make a weather stack or a holiday stack and understand based on the holiday, you know if people will be coming into the building," Jill explains. These insights enable facility managers to anticipate occupancy levels and adjust cleaning schedules, HVAC settings, and other operational parameters accordingly.

Creating Awareness and Adoption

Despite the clear benefits, there is often hesitation in adopting new technologies. Jill acknowledges this challenge but stresses the importance of starting somewhere. "It's hard right now to jump onto the technology bandwagon... But I think it's really important because it's just going to continue to grow and grow," she asserts.

Communication is key to creating awareness about the importance of data and technology in facility management. Jill highlights the role of educating employees about technology and its benefits. "When you are gathering data, you're communicating that data to other people and you're telling them what you're finding because people don't know," she notes. By making employees aware of how data can improve their work environment, they become more engaged and proactive in utilising these tools.

Practical Steps for Implementation

For companies unsure where to start, Jill recommends attending industry events like Interclean shows to see the latest technologies in action. She also suggests starting with small, manageable investments. For example, "Vileda has a mop that's very inexpensive... it tells you what room was mopped, the square footage of that room, what time it was mopped, and it's for about $2.00."

Educating employees about the Internet of Things (IoT) and its applications in facility management can also drive adoption. "If you make them aware, then they'll be looking for it too and they might even be able to bring ways for you to bring technology into a building," Jill advises. The collective effort of informed and engaged employees can significantly enhance the effectiveness of data-driven strategies.

Conclusion

Jill Frey's insights underscore the transformative potential of data and technology in facility management. By leveraging data to optimise cleaning schedules, meet environmental goals, and anticipate building usage, facilities can achieve higher standards of cleanliness, efficiency, and sustainability. The journey may seem daunting, but with incremental steps and a commitment to education and communication, facility managers can harness the power of data to create healthier, more efficient, and environmentally friendly buildings. As Jill aptly puts it, "We're making progress, and our efforts to elevate employees, make them smarter, and provide better jobs are crucial for the success of our employees and our industry."