Autodesk FM
I am pasting in here an article I wrote based on the information I rec'd
from Warren Bailey. There are also links at the end of the article for FM
discussion groups as well as different AM/FM/CAFM programs on the market. If
anyone has any tips to add, feel free to make a post.
Implementing a CAFM System
by Melanie Stone
When I started drafting in high school, and then, when I continued my
education with night classes at a community college, I learned about a lot
of different fields where AutoCAD is used. We learned process piping and
machined parts, we prepared architectural floor plans, we drew wiring
diagrams and we designed roadways. We entered the workforce knowing about
certain applications of drafting technology. But, one term I never heard
while in school was facilities management.
All of those other students are now working in places where they are
creating documents, which will be used to build. and then their documents
come to me.
Here's the question, what do I do with them? What CAN I do with them?
In an ideal world, I would have comprehensive, easily accessible,
intelligent documentation of every system in each one of the buildings that
I am responsible for, and these would be tied into databases, allowing me to
create reports on room usage data, equipment preventative maintenance, etc.
They call this Computer Aided Facilities Management (CAFM).
I have tried to communicate with other people who might be in a similar
position as myself, being the document holder of an old, sprawling facility.
Truth be told, I haven't found all that many people who have actually
implemented any type of CAFM program themselves. Most of those that I've
talked to just hobble along photocopying faded blueprints, and relying on
the memories of their long-time mechanics, sometimes without even having a
CAD person on staff. Others have hired an outside firm to survey their
facility and set up their documentation in electronic format.
Then, there are the others like myself, the ones who would like to set up
their own CAFM program, if they only knew where to begin. Those who are
dissatisfied with the way things are currently handled, and who'd like to
make things more efficient and more accurate using their in-house resources.
But, how would one go about setting up a system like this? What information
do you need to start? What can you do to properly prepare your data? How do
you choose software? What can you use the system for? What kind of staffing
levels might you need?
In my own search for information, I placed a couple of questions on
Fmforum.org and I received some great advice from Warren Bailey
(WarrenBailey Assoc. has completed over 250 million square feet of FM
technology projects).
Determine the Needs/Uses
Determine the scope of what your company actually wants. Do they need simple
occupancy plans, detailed furniture & equipment layouts, a work order/help
desk system, lease management, etc.?
Talk to IT, HR and Finance about what information they need and could use.
Get them on your side (and ultimately depending on your data).
Most FM Systems track where assets (people, furniture, equipment, files,
etc.) are located (rooms, floors, buildings, sites) and are organized by
departments. This is the basis for any CAFM System. Once you have that set
up, everything else integrates with it.
Getting accurate information of employees is a hurdle. But most good CAFM
Systems can now integrate seamlessly with other departments such as IT and
HR. (A program like MAP, however useful for some things, won't do this, you
will have to purchase a real CAFM system.)
Entering the data
The first big task is to get drawings into the CAFM system. Make sure you
have some CAD standards in place, and update all of your floor plans
accordingly.
Data entry starts with adding polylines around all spaces and identifying
them (room numbers, type - office etc., category - private vs. workstation).
There is a lot of cheap labor available today to get this done (you might
consider hiring college students or outsourcing overseas). Your local
vendors might also be able to help.
Begin collecting electronic info ASAP, in almost any form. Excel or a
database is excellent. Try to set up key fields to hold specific data such
as BL (buildings), FL (floors), RM (rooms) etc. Collect as much data as you
can get your hands on. It will all prove very useful once you start a full
CAFM application.
Don't bite off a lot in the beginning; try to phase implementation, starting
with simpler tasks. Just get "good data" into your system, generate some
reports and print some pretty drawings quickly to show your new
capabilities. This also helps in the initial startup costs of software and
services. Run some reports for a "quick win" that you can show your
supervisors. Also, talk to various departments you will track data for,
especially administration (secretaries); they can be vital to getting you
"good data" when you need it.
Keeping the Information up-to-date
Field verification is the number one problem, you have many options, but
most companies simply "walk the floor" to "true-up" the space on regular
basis, usually monthly. There have been many hi-tech methods tried, but
nothing is fool proof. You can also use admin people in different
departments to assist, as they usually know who sits where, etc. Instituting
a "charge back" system
helps tremendously in
accounting for and tracking space. Once departments are
having to pay for their space, they become more eager to accurately account
for what they have and don't have. Your finance dept will like this as well.
Your biggest changes will probably be a result of construction, which is
most often handled outside of your main CAFM System until such time as there
is a real "move project" ready to proceed. This, however, is the next
dimension of technology use, to fully integrate these projects from their
inception and planning.
Selecting the CAFM Software
1. Try to stay with Autodesk products, since they hold 80% of the CAD
market. When dealing with consultants and government agencies that is almost
the only choice. Also try to stick with CAFM system that uses native
AutoCAD, not a "translation" or conversion. That adds mistakes, time, and
confusion.
2. No matter what app you select, get buy-in from management. That is as
important as the application you select.
3. Don't buy something on the cheap. Facilities mgmt is very complex and you
need quality software to manage it. The CAFM industry is very mature today.
Many excellent products are available with good track records.
4. Buy a real CAFM Software application. Something like MAP is OK for
producing some pretty maps, but it is only a small part of a real system.
You need to track data that is seamlessly linked to AutoCAD drawings. There
are many great software apps out there. ARCHIBUS is a favorite and works
well with MAP, especially in the new web version.
5. Ultimately you want an FM System that will accurately and immediately
track assets by location and department assignments. Then you can conduct
move mgmt and work orders (call center/help desk, etc.), as well as work
with furniture/move companies, real estate, fleet management. etc.
6. Just pick one and commit to learning it. Don't try to reinvent the wheel,
too many people (hundreds of thousands today) across the world who have
spent many years in the FM industry that you can draw upon from their
experience. This gets you going much more quickly.
7. Get real training with the application, this is key with any
technological implementation. Preferably from a local vendor who can support
you as you go on. Centralized support from a home office is very expensive
and difficult to get a timely response and "mind share".
8. There is a very big technical community out there. Ask around to get
advice. There are many good people with good experiences.
9. Web is great, but knowing the software (how data is managed; how drawings
are linked to data; etc.) is still vital and the only place to start. Don't
look for easy short cuts. They will come back to bite you later.
10. Wade in with both feet and don't be afraid of the software. Make it your
friend and you will set yourself apart in your company as being
indispensable for key information.
Staffing Levels
A rule of thumb is 1 CAD/CAFM person per 2 million sq. ft. of space, once
the system is up and running.
Melanie Stone - originally published in the newsletter distributed by the
international cad council www.icadc.com Posted here with permission from the
author, and the icc.
Some Facilities Management Discussion Groups:
Autodesk Discussion Groups
http://discussion.autodesk.com/forum.jspa?forumID=
ystems - FMpace http://www.fmsystems.com/
Tririga - Facility Center
http://www.tririga.com/home/defaultContent.jsp?Pag
ystems - FMpace http://www.fmsystems.com/
Tririga - Facility Center
http://www.tririga.com/home/defaultContent.jsp?Pag
When I was making my list of FM programs, I missed FM Desktop... be sure to
explore all of the options available when choosing software this
important...
(anyone feel free to post, or let me know if there is a program that should
be on this list)
FM Desktop has four major components that allow you to deploy an FM solution
that suits your specific facility management needs. At the core of the suite
is Facility Manager.
Facility Manager is an MS Access application providing both an Access or
SQL backend. Facility ManagerT provides you the ability to manage all of
your facility drawings and data in an easy to use database environment.
No special CAD skills required to work with drawings and data.
Facility Link connects objects in your AutoCAD facility drawings to
records in the Facility ManagerT database, providing a graphical interface
to your facility data.
Facility Web provides you anytime anywhere access to your facility data
and drawings. An easy to use web interface brings powerful features to even
the most technically challenged.
Facility Mobile puts your facility drawings and data in the palm of your
hand. Field surveys and occupancy verifications become a breeze.
"melanie stone" wrote in message
news:418104a1_3@newsprd01...
> FM / AM/FM / CAFM Programs Available:
>
> FaciliCAD www.facilicad.com/fweb.shtml
>
> Archibus http://www.archibus.com/
>
> Autodesk - MAP/MAP Guide
> http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?siteID=
ystems - FMpace http://www.fmsystems.com/
>
> Tririga - Facility Center
> http://www.tririga.com/home/defaultContent.jsp?Pag
I've just seen a new product mentioned on Tenlink's called Center Stone
http://www.centerstonesoft.com/ providers of Web-based solutions for
managing space, moves, assets, leases, operations and projects
here is the link to TenLink's program list
http://www.tenlinks.com/CAD/PRODUCTS/FM.HTM
"melanie stone" wrote in message
news:4160138@discussion.autodesk.com...
When I was making my list of FM programs, I missed FM Desktop... be sure to
explore all of the options available when choosing software this
important...
(anyone feel free to post, or let me know if there is a program that should
be on this list)
FM Desktop has four major components that allow you to deploy an FM solution
that suits your specific facility management needs. At the core of the suite
is Facility Manager.
Facility Manager is an MS Access application providing both an Access or
SQL backend. Facility ManagerT provides you the ability to manage all of
your facility drawings and data in an easy to use database environment.
No special CAD skills required to work with drawings and data.
Facility Link connects objects in your AutoCAD facility drawings to
records in the Facility ManagerT database, providing a graphical interface
to your facility data.
Facility Web provides you anytime anywhere access to your facility data
and drawings. An easy to use web interface brings powerful features to even
the most technically challenged.
Facility Mobile puts your facility drawings and data in the palm of your
hand. Field surveys and occupancy verifications become a breeze.
"melanie stone" wrote in message
news:418104a1_3@newsprd01...
> FM / AM/FM / CAFM Programs Available:
>
> FaciliCAD www.facilicad.com/fweb.shtml
>
> Archibus http://www.archibus.com/
>
> Autodesk - MAP/MAP Guide
> http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?siteID=
>
> FMystems - FMpace http://www.fmsystems.com/
>
> Tririga - Facility Center
> http://www.tririga.com/home/defaultContent.jsp?Pag
>
> Micromain FM http://www.micromain.com/press/2004/press_8_31_04.
>
> Graphisoft - ArchiFM
> http://www.graphisoft.com/products/integrated_faci
>
> Graphisoft - Drawbase http://www.drawbase.com/
>
> FMx - CAFM Explorer http://www.cafmexplorer.com/
>
> Graphstore http://www.graphstore.com/
>
> Vision/FM http://www.visionfm.com/stage/main.asp
> Selecting the CAFM Software
>
> 1. Try to stay with Autodesk products, since they hold 80% of the CAD
> market. When dealing with consultants and government agencies that is
> almost the only choice. Also try to stick with CAFM system that uses
> native AutoCAD, not a "translation" or conversion. That adds mistakes,
> time, and confusion.
>
> 2. No matter what app you select, get buy-in from management. That is as
> important as the application you select.
>
> 3. Don't buy something on the cheap. Facilities mgmt is very complex and
> you need quality software to manage it. The CAFM industry is very mature
> today. Many excellent products are available with good track records.
>
> 4. Buy a real CAFM Software application. Something like MAP is OK for
> producing some pretty maps, but it is only a small part of a real system.
> You need to track data that is seamlessly linked to AutoCAD drawings.
> There are many great software apps out there. ARCHIBUS is a favorite and
> works well with MAP, especially in the new web version.
>
> 5. Ultimately you want an FM System that will accurately and immediately
> track assets by location and department assignments. Then you can conduct
> move mgmt and work orders (call center/help desk, etc.), as well as work
> with furniture/move companies, real estate, fleet management. etc.
>
> 6. Just pick one and commit to learning it. Don't try to reinvent the
> wheel, too many people (hundreds of thousands today) across the world who
> have spent many years in the FM industry that you can draw upon from their
> experience. This gets you going much more quickly.
>
> 7. Get real training with the application, this is key with any
> technological implementation. Preferably from a local vendor who can
> support you as you go on. Centralized support from a home office is very
> expensive and difficult to get a timely response and "mind share".
>
> 8. There is a very big technical community out there. Ask around to get
> advice. There are many good people with good experiences.
>
> 9. Web is great, but knowing the software (how data is managed; how
> drawings are linked to data; etc.) is still vital and the only place to
> start. Don't look for easy short cuts. They will come back to bite you
> later.
>
> 10. Wade in with both feet and don't be afraid of the software. Make it
> your friend and you will set yourself apart in your company as being
> indispensable for key information.
> Melanie Stone - originally published in the newsletter distributed by the
> international cad council www.icadc.com Posted here with permission from
> the author, and the icc.
>
>
http://www.centerstonesoft.com/ providers of Web-based solutions for
managing space, moves, assets, leases, operations and projects
here is the link to TenLink's program list
http://www.tenlinks.com/CAD/PRODUCTS/FM.HTM
"melanie stone"
news:4160138@discussion.autodesk.com...
When I was making my list of FM programs, I missed FM Desktop... be sure to
explore all of the options available when choosing software this
important...
(anyone feel free to post, or let me know if there is a program that should
be on this list)
FM Desktop has four major components that allow you to deploy an FM solution
that suits your specific facility management needs. At the core of the suite
is Facility Manager.
Facility Manager is an MS Access application providing both an Access or
SQL backend. Facility ManagerT provides you the ability to manage all of
your facility drawings and data in an easy to use database environment.
No special CAD skills required to work with drawings and data.
Facility Link connects objects in your AutoCAD facility drawings to
records in the Facility ManagerT database, providing a graphical interface
to your facility data.
Facility Web provides you anytime anywhere access to your facility data
and drawings. An easy to use web interface brings powerful features to even
the most technically challenged.
Facility Mobile puts your facility drawings and data in the palm of your
hand. Field surveys and occupancy verifications become a breeze.
"melanie stone"
news:418104a1_3@newsprd01...
> FM / AM/FM / CAFM Programs Available:
>
> FaciliCAD www.facilicad.com/fweb.shtml
>
> Archibus http://www.archibus.com/
>
> Autodesk - MAP/MAP Guide
> http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?siteID=
>
> FM
ystems - FMpace http://www.fmsystems.com/>
> Tririga - Facility Center
> http://www.tririga.com/home/defaultContent.jsp?Pag
>
> Micromain FM http://www.micromain.com/press/2004/press_8_31_04.
>
> Graphisoft - ArchiFM
> http://www.graphisoft.com/products/integrated_faci
>
> Graphisoft - Drawbase http://www.drawbase.com/
>
> FMx - CAFM Explorer http://www.cafmexplorer.com/
>
> Graphstore http://www.graphstore.com/
>
> Vision/FM http://www.visionfm.com/stage/main.asp
> Selecting the CAFM Software
>
> 1. Try to stay with Autodesk products, since they hold 80% of the CAD
> market. When dealing with consultants and government agencies that is
> almost the only choice. Also try to stick with CAFM system that uses
> native AutoCAD, not a "translation" or conversion. That adds mistakes,
> time, and confusion.
>
> 2. No matter what app you select, get buy-in from management. That is as
> important as the application you select.
>
> 3. Don't buy something on the cheap. Facilities mgmt is very complex and
> you need quality software to manage it. The CAFM industry is very mature
> today. Many excellent products are available with good track records.
>
> 4. Buy a real CAFM Software application. Something like MAP is OK for
> producing some pretty maps, but it is only a small part of a real system.
> You need to track data that is seamlessly linked to AutoCAD drawings.
> There are many great software apps out there. ARCHIBUS is a favorite and
> works well with MAP, especially in the new web version.
>
> 5. Ultimately you want an FM System that will accurately and immediately
> track assets by location and department assignments. Then you can conduct
> move mgmt and work orders (call center/help desk, etc.), as well as work
> with furniture/move companies, real estate, fleet management. etc.
>
> 6. Just pick one and commit to learning it. Don't try to reinvent the
> wheel, too many people (hundreds of thousands today) across the world who
> have spent many years in the FM industry that you can draw upon from their
> experience. This gets you going much more quickly.
>
> 7. Get real training with the application, this is key with any
> technological implementation. Preferably from a local vendor who can
> support you as you go on. Centralized support from a home office is very
> expensive and difficult to get a timely response and "mind share".
>
> 8. There is a very big technical community out there. Ask around to get
> advice. There are many good people with good experiences.
>
> 9. Web is great, but knowing the software (how data is managed; how
> drawings are linked to data; etc.) is still vital and the only place to
> start. Don't look for easy short cuts. They will come back to bite you
> later.
>
> 10. Wade in with both feet and don't be afraid of the software. Make it
> your friend and you will set yourself apart in your company as being
> indispensable for key information.
> Melanie Stone - originally published in the newsletter distributed by the
> international cad council www.icadc.com Posted here with permission from
> the author, and the icc.
>
>
