Reposting another answer I rec'd at FM forum (their forum is even harder to
search than this one, but, some good topics in there)
Re: Wanting to know how others are managing their assets (staffing,
technology, etc.), by Warren Bailey, WarrenBailey Associates, USA,
[2004-06-22]
Have been doing fm consulting for many years (250 million sq ft of
completed fm technology projects). Can give you a little insight on some of
your questions:
1. Rule of thumb is 1 CAD/CAFM (computer aided facility mgmt) person
per 2 million sq. ft. of space once system is up and running.
2. Field verification is #1 problem.., many options but most companies
simply "walk the floor" to "true-up" the space on regular basis, usually
monthly. Also can use admin people in depts to assist as they usually know
who sits where, etc. Have tried many hi-tech methods, but nothing full
proof. It becomes a game to fool the computer and some people just lie in
order to conserve space.
3. 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 and make you their friend.
4. Construction is more 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.
5. Most FM Systems track Occupancy for starters (butts in seats). This
is the basics for any CAFM System. Once you have that setup everything else
integrates with that.
6. Getting accurate info of employees is a hurdle. But most good CAFM
Systems can now integrate seamlessly with other departments such as IT and
HR. MAP of course won't do this as you will have to still buy a real CAFM
System. More on that later.
7. Most FM Systems track where assets (people, furniture, equipment,
files, lights, etc.) are located (rooms, floors, buildings, sites) and are
organized by departments. This is the fundamentals of any FM System.
8. 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 furn/move companies; real estate; fleet mgmt; etc. Don't bite
off a lot in the beginning. Just get "good data" into your system..,
generate some reports and print some pretty drawings quickly to show your
new capabilities.
9. TALK to IT, HR, and Finance about what info they need and could
use. Get them on your side.., and ultimately depending on your data. This
makes you invaluable to your company.
10. Buy a real CAFM Software application. MAP is ok for producing some
pretty maps but is ony a small part of a real system. You need to track data
that is seamlessly linked to AutoCAD drawings. Many great software apps out
there. ARCHIBUS is my favorite and it works well with MAP, especially in the
new web version.
But 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.
GOOD LUCK and have some fun!
Re: Re: Wanting to know how others are managing their assets
(staffing, technology, etc.), by melanie s, bjh engineering, usa,
[2004-08-16]
Warren, thank you SO MUCH for your reply. I appreciate hearing from
someone experienced in this type of thing.
My main goal was to start out just managing facility assets. We are an
old company with a long history, and I know that I would be shooting at the
moon if I tried to get all of the other departments to report to us (to the
medical staff, we're just here to unclog their toilets). I want to keep up
to date floor plans and MEPFP plans, and manage OUR asset data, such as air
handling units, and electrical panels, etc. Not really staff, and individual
departments' property. Due to the size of this place, and the number of
employees (FT, PT, Contract, Consulting, Students, etc) that would be too
much for anyone to undertake, and they would probably not want to report all
of their assets.
We actually purchased archibus a few years ago, but, didn't get much
into it, and the hospital was much smaller then. We took another look at it
last year, but, when I told them what was and wasn't included in our bids
and the number of seats of software we'd have to have, and the number of
addtn'l employees we'd need to keep our info up to date... it got dropped
like a hot potato.
I made my staffing/software recommendation over two months ago now,
based solely on my opinions and workflow, asking for 4 additional cad people
and one part time file clerk.
It wasn't laughed at, because I was able to justify it all, but, noone
wants to add full-time employees, especially skilled ones like I would need.
Thanks again for your input! I look forward to hearing anything on
this particular topic.
"wanderer" wrote in message
news:8368684.1080571649398.JavaMail.jive@jiveforum1.autodesk.com...
>I work in FM, with a 6mil sq ft facility. I am the only CAD person.
> I would like to know how others are doing it out there.
> How big is your facility?
> How many plans people do you have?
> What FM program, if any, are you using?
> What types of things do you track in your FM program?
>
> Any response from FM people would be appreciated! I am writing a
> justification to ask for more employees. I am estimating that I will need
> 3 FT and 1 PT, but, I'd like to know what others are working with to back
> that up.