Facilities are the heart and soul of any business. They support everything from corporate campuses to factories and hospital complexes. The right facilities management plan keeps operations running smoothly.
This article tackles a major question: Is integrated facilities management better than traditional? Consider the advantages, drawbacks, and practical impact.
How Does Integrated FM Differ from Traditional FM?
Integrated and traditional facilities management are two core approaches to running a business.
In traditional facilities management, maintenance, cleaning, security, and landscaping are usually handled separately. Different contractors manage these tasks, and reporting doesnât always align. This leads to poor communication, contract overload, and reactive problem-solving.
Integrated FM brings all facility-related services together under one strategic umbrella. Integrated facilities management eliminates multiple contacts and vendors. Instead, they have a single reporting structure, greater coordination, and centralized workflow control. This makes it easier to align FM operations with the company's overall goals.
In short:
- Traditional Facilities Management: Fragmented services, reactive work, and poor communication.
- Integrated Facilities Management: Coordinated services, proactive planning, and centralized oversight.
What is the Definition of Traditional Facilities Management?
Traditional FM aims to keep buildings safe and functional daily. It includes things like:
- Fixing and keeping things up
- Cleaning and other janitorial work
- Access control and security
- Taking care of the yard and the trash
Each service is usually hired separately or managed by internal teams. This can complicate things and mix up priorities if coordination is lacking.
Benefits of Traditional Facilities Management
- Making changes to particular services is easier
