Computer-Aided Facilities Management (CAFM) is a powerful tool for facilities managers (FMs), property managers (PMs), and building managers alike. It offers a range of core functionalities that significantly enhance operational efficiency and decision-making.
Developers have created CAFM systems to streamline facilities management and improve building maintenance. In a nutshell, it’s a software designed to reducing the burden on facilities managers in running day-to-day operations.
CAFM software also drives greater efficiencies, boosts business performance, and generally makes life easier for FMs and PMs. This blog will explore the main features of Computer Aided Facilities Management and its advantages for FMs. The top 5 core functionalities of a CAFM system are:
- 5 Core Functionalities of CAFM for a Facilities Manager
- 1. Extending the Lifecyle of Assets
- 2. Improving Energy Efficiency
- 3. Enhancing Visibility of Buildings
- 4. Supporting Planned Preventative Maintenance
- 5. Helping businesses remain compliant
- Benefits of CAFM for a Facilities Manager
5 Core Functionalities of CAFM for Facilities Managers
1. Extending the Lifecycle of Assets
One of the fundamental functions of CAFM is its ability to extend the lifecycle of assets. By leveraging CAFM software, facilities managers can proactively manage their assets, thereby reducing the frequency of asset replacements and associated costs. Asset lifecycle management is a crucial part of property management and plays a major role in enhancing sustainability.
FMs can use CAFM systems to implement preventive maintenance, ensuring that they maintain assets well and conduct repairs promptly. This proactive approach not only minimises the risk of unexpected breakdowns but also contributes to significant overall cost savings.
You can increase the lifespan of your buildings and assets by tracking energy use on your CAFM system. This allows you to implement effective maintenance plans.
2. Improving Energy Efficiency
Using CAFM software is a great way to improve the energy efficiency of your buildings and equipment. With real-time data and insights, you can make informed decisions about your ESG strategy and ensure you are targeting the right energy-saving initiatives.
Through CAFM, property and facilities managers can monitor energy consumption, identify areas for improvement, and effectively optimise building performance. This not only leads to reduced operational costs but also aligns with sustainability objectives, making it a critical function for modern facility management practices.
Now, more than ever, companies prioritise ESG and recognise its connection to improving energy efficiency. FMs and PMs can use CAFM software to facilitate sustainable and efficient management of building facilities.
By helping you execute planned maintenance activities, optimise resource utilisation, and minimise your business’ environmental impact—CAFM plays a vital role in advancing your organisation’s ESG agenda. This functionality is particularly important for facilities managers who want to align their operations with broader corporate environmental goals and industry best practices.
Since Elogs CAFM+ Service Desk integrates with Prosure360, you can also ensure that your supply chain aligns with your business‘ environmental values. Having total control of your supply chain means you can avoid working with non-compliant suppliers. Ultimately, this will save you money as you can make sure your suppliers are commitment to your overarching ESG goals.
3. Enhancing Visibility of Buildings and Assets
A CAFM system can show you everything about your buildings and assets, giving you complete visibility. Particularly for facilities managers, this allows for data-driven decision making, as well as helping to optimise operational performance.
CAFM platforms serve as centralised systems for critical facility-related data, including asset information, space utilisation, maintenance records, and work order requests. By consolidating this information in a central database, CAFM software makes facilities management simple and stress-free.
Elogs CAFM+ Service Desk stores all your supply chain documents in a single location. It also tracks actions and provides audit trails, helping to keep everyone informed.
4. Supporting Planned Preventative Maintenance
PPM, or planned preventative maintenance, is a scheduled maintenance plan to help you better manage your assets. The helps you carry out routine maintenance on your assets to prevent future repairs and keep buildings in good working order. CAFM systems enable facilities managers to use PPM planners to schedule maintenance activities ahead of time and reduce costs.
PPM planners are responsible for developing and implementing maintenance schedules to proactively address potential issues and ensure the smooth functioning of buildings. Through CAFM, facilities managers can plan preventative maintenance in a systematic manner using PPM tools and features.
For example, the Elogs CAFM offers a PPM tool which makes it easy for FMs and PMs to streamline workflows and keep control of planned maintenance activities. Preventive maintenance is essential in helping you remain complaint and ensure health and safety across your property portfolio.
5. Helping Businesses Remain Compliant
CAFM allows facilities managers to ensure compliance and demonstrate good health and safety practices. This ties in with sustainability goals as CAFM systems also help you stay in line with ESG compliance.
By maintaining your assets using PPM planners, you can mitigate the risk of potentially dangerous equipment failure. This reduces the risk of injury as well as improving overall compliance within your organisation.
CAFM helps businesses stay compliant by identifying necessary work and actions to meet current legislation. This is particularly useful for landlords and property managers who need to adhere to regulatory requirements as well as keeping tenants and stakeholders satisfied.
Benefits of CAFM for Facilities Managers
Using a CAFM system has many benefits, especially in facilities management. From streamlining preventive and reactive maintenance to simplifying the maintenance process and ensuring compliance—the benefits are multifaceted. With a CAFM system, facilities managers can:
- Enhance communication with stakeholders and tenants.
- Better budget planning and resource allocation.
- Save time and reduce costs.
- Improve reporting and analytics.
- Boosts productivity and allows for informed decision-making.
Ultimately, CAFM is a valuable tool for facilities managers, offering a wide array of benefits that significantly improve operational efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and compliance. The core functions of CAFM enable you to proactively manage your assets, enhance energy efficiency, and ensure compliance with regulations.
