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The Human Touch: FM Can’t Work Without It

The Human Touch: FM Can’t Work Without It

The brave new world of AI and IoT is changing the face of facilities management. Smart buildings notify the authorities when there’s an emergency like a water leak or a security breach. They send out reminders when maintenance should be scheduled. They use energy monitors to accumulate usage data and identify conservation opportunities. They know where every furniture asset is at any moment. They even monitor the bathroom soap dispensers and automatically restock the break room refrigerator. With all this automation, do we still need people to manage facilities?

Surprisingly, the Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts job growth for FM professionals. AI and IoT eliminate a great deal of inefficiency in facilities management, but they cannot provide context for all the data they amass. Only a human brain can look at a collection of facts and figures, and interpret the meaning of the data in the real world.

Just as a building is connected to sensors and servers, an experienced FM professional is connected to people. When a building’s IoT system says it’s time to replace the roof, it can’t request three competitive bids from local vendors, or know that one of the vendors is going to offer good terms because they’re hungry for the work. But an FM pro knows that kind of information, because of people connections. When it’s time to staff up, AI software can’t chat with a candidate and learn that she helped out at her father’s HVAC company as a teenager. But a facilities manager can make that sort of people connection.

There’s simply no substitute for human insight.

True, the FM professional’s skill set is expanding beyond the traditional construction, engineering, and management arenas. Knowledge of IT is essential nowadays. Leadership ability is more important than ever, and according to Facilities.net, strategic business skills are a must-have.

Automation is an invaluable tool in modern facilities management, with a doubt. Energy efficiency, timely maintenance, RFID equipment tracking, or reducing a bulky storage footprint through automation will all yield positive results for the bottom line. But despite changes in the nature and medium of FM tasks, the need for a skilled professional manager still remains.

 

Photo © Kurhan / AdobeStock

The “Always-On” Supply Chain – Are You Ready?

The “Always-On” Supply Chain – Are You Ready?

Economists and logistics pundits are hailing the advent of the “always-on” supply chain – one in which information is as valuable as goods. From drones to the Internet of Things, smart technology is changing the supply chain landscape.

A recent report from MHI, the materials handling and logistics trade organization, listed eight technologies that are key to the always-on supply chain:

  • Predictive analytics
  • Robotics and automation
  • Sensors and automatic identification
  • Wearable and mobile technology
  • Driverless vehicles and drones
  • Inventory and network optimization tools
  • Cloud computing and storage
  • 3D printing

As information flows freely throughout the supply chain, shipping modes will be modified. Warehousing needs will alter. Training and staffing requirements will change. These changes will have a profound effect on the way we all do business. Ask yourself if your business is ready for the always-on supply chain, and consult with your storage professionals to make sure you’re ahead of the curve.

 

Photo © denisismagilov / Fotolia

Intelligent Forklifts – Are They Too Smart?

Intelligent Forklifts – Are They Too Smart?

The “Internet of Things,” in which all objects will be connected via sensors to a broad digital system, is still in its infancy. While robotic vacuum cleaners and exercise-monitoring clothes are fairly common, such things as self-driving cars are not quite rush-hour ready. However, RFID and on-board intelligence are being successfully combined to create intelligent forklifts for materials handling systems: http://bit.ly/1sr7wEM. Proponents point to cost savings gained through improved safety, greater efficiency, and better inventory control.

Those of the Luddite persuasion, though, envision robots running amok through warehouses, ignoring RFID signals, destroying products and threatening the lives of their human bosses. But automation systems failures can usually be traced to human user error, or, more important, a poor choice of automation vendor. Cutting corners never pays, especially when it’s your inventory at stake. Thoroughly vet your vendors, and your warehouse won’t end up like “I, Robot.”

Now how do I program my vacuum cleaner to do the stairs…?

Photo © JRB – Fotolia.com