Demand-Driven Services Help Workplaces Overcome Numerous Challenges

Introducing Demand-Driven Services to help building owners overcome today’s numerous challenges

With fewer occupants and higher operating costs facing today’s workplaces, traditional facilities management practices are not sustainable. Other challenges are also creating problems for owners – from skilled labor shortages to an increased need for operational agility. Flexibility can be the answer to overcoming these challenges. But how can you make the idea of flexibility tangible within your building portfolio?

A new approach to facilities management —Demand-Driven services — delivers the capabilities facilities need to reduce risks and save money in multiple areas of operation.

What are Demand-Driven Services?

According to a recent study:¹

of global FM operations say remote monitoring is important now

of respondents rank healthy buildings as a top priority

of FM in the U.S. are rethinking their strategy post-COVID

of respondents more willing to invest in smart building solutions

Challenges Facing
the Workplace Today

Need for operational agility

56% of CEOs emphasize the need to aggressively pursue operational agility and flexibility²

Skilled labor shortage

2.4M positions will be unfilled between 2018 and 2028³

Space utilization issues

12 billion square feet of commercial space exists in the US, but only 67% is utilized^4,5

Health and wellness return to work concerns

95% of occupants want to see as much or more cleaning and sanitation practices after the vaccine is widely distributed⁶

Smart buildings becoming a key investment

67% of respondents more willing to invest in smart building solutions⁷

Property technology is on the rise post-pandemic

82% of companies are assessing or adopting externally created technology solutions, i.e., IoT, AI, digital twins, occupancy sensors, and connected devices.⁸

Demand-Driven Services Deliver Paradigm-Shifting Benefits

Adopting a demand-driven approach to integrated facilities services represents a paradigm shift for organizations, with multiple labor- and cost-saving benefits, including:

Unoccupied spaces are serviced appropriately, reducing operating costs
Spaces are only cleaned when dirty to save staff time
Equipment is serviced proactively to prevent disruptive breakdowns
Heating and cooling is provided only when spaces are occupied
Temperature-dependent material and perishables are closely monitored to avoid spoilage
Spaces and equipment are monitored remotely and in real-time for optimal service delivery

Read on to discover how to bring these transformative benefits to your workplace.

Improving Space Utilization with Confidence vs. Wasting Costs

It’s time to get smarter about reducing space.

Problem: There exists 12 billion square feet of commercial space in the US, but only 67% is utilized

Space within a building is a double-edged sword. You need the room to provide the innovative workspaces employees expect today, but if it’s not being used efficiently, it’s a drain on your budget to keep it heated, cooled, cleaned and maintained. This is a liability your organization doesn’t need. Additionally, as remote working increases, it creates greater pressure to reduce operating costs, potentially leading to the reduction of space to save money.

Solution: Time-series data based on actual, real-world usage

Deciding to decommission unused space based on programmatic needs is one thing. Knowing which spaces to reduce is another. Historically, this issue has been decided based on utilization rates. However, most space utilization studies provide point-in-time information at best. What’s needed is time-series data based on actual, real-world usage. Armed with such information, building managers and owners can make informed decisions about their funding and allocation of space. Deploying occupancy sensors provides this continuous, real-time data. When combined with operating cost information, this data provides quantitative guidance on which spaces to shutter or consolidate.

Clean Based on Occupancy to Maximize Labor Productivity

Clean spaces based on actual usage and consumption patterns to improve customer satisfaction.

Problem: Redundant cleaning of low-use spaces adds costs

Typically, facilities are cleaned and staffing is allocated based on a pre-existing schedule. Yet, spaces may not have been utilized equally nor require servicing. This creates a disconnect between service needs and service scheduling. This wastes precious labor hours that could be better spent in areas that actually need attention or to improve customer satisfaction.

Solution: Occupancy sensors increase cleaning productivity

Occupancy sensors provide critical insight to help prevent redundant cleaning of space that receives little or no use. As virtual working models become more popular, building owners are finding they must alter their service delivery based on where occupancy occurs. Sensors that identify space that hasn’t been used allows for effective reallocation of resources to areas in high demand. For example, men’s and women’s restrooms are typically serviced at the same time. However, a study of one facility found that men and women do not consume paper supplies at the same rate. Restrooms with depleted resources generate more complaints. During the early part of the COVID pandemic, occupancy sensors helped many organizations increase their cleaning frequencies without adding additional labor. Its application still applies today as labor is expected to remain in short supply for the foreseeable future.

Monitor Assets Remotely to Optimize Limited Labor

Take proactive maintenance actions and overcome skilled labor supply shortage.

Problem: Reactively troubleshooting equipment

With fewer available skilled laborers and shrinking resources, the likelihood of deferring maintenance on equipment and systems, as well as neglecting preventive maintenance tasks, increase. Reacting to an unexpected equipment failure expends considerable labor hours and disrupts other important work at your facility. Likewise, ignoring preventive maintenance potentially creates future exposure.

Solution: Remotely monitor equipment to optimize maintenance

Remote sensors allow maintenance teams to proactively monitor the status and operation of equipment and facilities. Sensors create a “digital twin” of buildings, allowing for virtual identification of equipment issues and providing a digital understanding of equipment conditions. For example, vibration analysis sensors inform building owners of equipment conditions, thereby avoiding unexpected failure and even enabling a predictive maintenance strategy. Remote monitoring allows better allocation of limited labor and minimizes risk of capital costs and program disruption.

Heat and Cool Based on Occupancy to Reduce Energy

Linking energy delivery to actual occupancy and space utilization can reduce utility spend.

Problem: Overspending on heating and cooling

Delivery of heating and cooling are often based on predefined schedules, such as hours of operation. But as many organizations adopt hybrid operating models, occupancy levels are likely to fluctuate greatly. As a result, this approach can waste considerable resources, utility spend and carbon footprint. Furthermore, indoor air quality, a key factor in controlling airborne transmission of pathogens, is often not a consideration in room temperature management.

Solution: Reduce energy and improve indoor air quality

Linking energy services to building occupancy can avoid the heating and cooling of unoccupied space. A building set to operate from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. will consume 10 hours of energy, regardless of occupancy levels. A demand-based energy delivery approach helps prevent this waste. In fact, a building that is only used 60% of that same time block could potentially reduce energy by 40%. Occupancy sensors can be partnered with operating schedules to reduce energy consumption while still maintaining comfort levels.

Additionally, sensors can allow for large-scale monitoring of indoor air quality, a key factor in combating airborne transmission of pathogens. When coupled with real-time operating data, systems can adjust the amount of outside air, ventilation, and/or filtration strategies to support a healthy environment for learning.

Protect Temperature - Sensitive Materials

Cost-effectively maintain the life of valuable, temperature-sensitive materials, and inventory.

Problem: The high cost of refrigeration

Many organizations are dependent on temperature-sensitive operations. Some may have a significant investment in perishables that require refrigeration. Companies that require deep refrigeration for research materials, such as in life sciences, may have research worth hundreds of thousands of dollars at risk. Further, the average walk-in freezer in an on-site dining operations contains $5,000 to $7,000 in perishables. Failure to maintain proper refrigeration and react swiftly when variances occur can be a costly error.

Solution: Monitor temperatures for fluctuations

Remote sensors can monitor the temperature of cold rooms and freezers and provide real-time notification of temperature variations so that corrective action can be taken before valuable content is lost.

How Remote IoT Sensors Enable Demand-Driven Services

The many applications of remote IoT sensors are transforming the facilities industry. Almost every facet of facilities management can now be monitored remotely — from room occupancy to temperature levels. The advantages include:

Lowered operating costs
Improved labor productivity and efficiency
Improved service response times
Improved equipment lifecycles
Optimized air quality
Improved management of building spaces
Enhanced occupant experience and satisfaction
Increased operating flexibility

Demand-Driven Services and the Cost of Entry

Sensor technology and the IoT provide building owners with information and insights in their building operation previously unavailable. Real-time information is fundamentally changing the way services are provided to both buildings and occupants. Migrating to a demand-driven service model is easy and cost-effective. Sensor deployment is easily scaled based on desired need. Additionally, the information infrastructure doesn’t conflict with existing wired or WiFi IT networks. Platforms are disruptively inexpensive yet provide valuable operating and performance intelligence for improved operation. As organizations seek to evolve their broader operating model, demand-driven services represent the future of integrated facilities management.

Introducing
AIWX™ Connect

The Aramark Intelligent Workplace Experience (AIWX™ Connect) is a data-driven intelligence program that improves facility management efficiencies as we reimagine occupants’ experience within a new building operating reality. AIWX™ Connect is powered by an IoT sensor network that runs independently of existing IT infrastructures, allowing for easy scalability. While relieving facilities operations of many of today’s challenges, it is extremely cost-effective — making it an ideal option for today’s workplace.

Learn more here: AIWX™ Connect page.

Partner with Aramark

When thinking differently about facilities management success and savings, partnering is often an ideal option for an optimized facilities management program. As your partner in integrated facilities management services, Aramark can deliver operational success through its innovative demand-driven services program.

Learn more about gaining greater flexibility, agility and cost savings your organization needs to survive in today’s more challenging workplace environment.

SOURCES
¹Honeywell
²IBM
³Deloitte
⁴IBM
⁵IBM
⁶Forbes
⁷The McMorrowReports
⁸EY

Reduce Operations Risks and Save Money with Demand-Driven Services