There are three emerging market trends that look set to drive the facilities management sector during 2018. The use of technology already plays a vital part in ensuring a streamlined and well-connected facility management department. It is therefore expected that continued development and advancement in tech, such as IoT (Internet of Things), will create a whole wave of new opportunities for vendors who are seeking to upscale their operations and improve the efficiency of their services during 2018.

1. Impact of IoT in managing building facilities

In order to make improvements in costs, time management, and quality of goods and services, vendors will look to innovative and advanced technology. It is anticipated that smart security surveillance systems, advanced robotics, and intelligent building control systems will heavily influence the shape of facilities management services in the future.

2. Convergence of IoT and smart buildings

It is probable that 2018 will see more merging of building automation systems and IT, and that this will be a key driver in the future growth of facilities management worldwide.

The IoT as a concept is rapidly emerging as a major trend, which enables a whole plethora of different devices, users, and systems to communicate and collaborate wirelessly via the internet using just IP addresses. The IoT is able to link and connect many different processes within one building through machine-to-machine interactions, improving operational efficiency right across a facility.

IoT can provide assistance to facilities personnel through data analytics, multi-system management, fault detection, and smart system alerts. IoT also enables facilities managers to install smart meters within a building management system that connects to the electrical grid. This can provide valuable insights into how well the building is performing in its use of energy, which can be used to make cost-efficiency changes for the business.

IoT can also link related systems across the building. For example, a sprinkler system could be linked to smoke detection and building access control systems. When the smoke detector generates an alarm signal, it is automatically communicated to the fire sprinkler system, which in turn activates the building access control system, allowing occupants to quickly and safely exit the building. Interconnected systems such as this can be vital in ensuring the safety of staff working in very large, sprawling sites.