5 Ways FSM Software Enables Remote Facility Management Operations

The recent COVID-19 pandemic has made us understand the importance and viability of remote work. While ‘remote’ does improve efficiency in managing the workforce, for facilities, it also means better visibility into operations. It may seem risky or unthinkable to handle a facility from hundreds of kilometers away – but it is possible thanks to remote first field service automation.
In this article, we help you implement five important remote workflows for facility management using field service management software.
How do decentralized operations work for facility management?
Decentralized operations for facility management involve distributing the management and maintenance tasks across multiple locations — and these are often with a remote or dispersed workforce.
Unlike the centralized model, where all operations are managed from a single location, here’s how remote facility management works:
- More autonomy: here, each facility or region has a degree of autonomy in managing its maintenance activities. Facility managers or teams are responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations and responding to issues specific to their location. This reduces the decision-making load on the central team.
- Efficient resource allocation: instead of deploying resources from a central hub, facilities can assign tasks to technicians who are closest to the facility. This minimizes travel time and optimizes response times.
- Improved scalability: facilities can expand their footprint without significantly increasing administrative overhead. Also, using FSM software, new facilities seamlessly integrate into existing operations by standardizing processes.
5 remote workflows using field service management software for facility management
Relying solely on spreadsheets or traditional methods can lead to missed maintenance schedules or delayed responses to issues. All this adds up to increased downtime.
For example, without automated systems, it’s difficult to track equipment maintenance history or predict when assets might fail.
By simply leveraging FSM software, you can remotely manage multiple facilities by automating essential workflows and getting real-time visibility into operations.
Here are five remote FSM software workflows to get started:
1. Track and manage assets remotely
Facilities may involve workflows that require the movement of equipment, materials, or other assets between multiple facilities or to the customer. Using GPS technology and geo-tagging, you can track the exact location of assets in real-time. This helps avoid asset theft and one can share estimated arrival times with receivers so that they can further optimize their operations.
2. Virtual inspections and audits
FSM software includes various communication channels across video, email, calls, and instant messaging. These channels enable assigned field service workers to share instant updates via video calls or file sharing for supervisors to check without being present on the facility site. This streamlines the inspection process, improves compliance, and reduces the need for travel to remote sites.
3. Environmental monitoring and compliance
You can opt for FSM software with compliance features or integrate with specialized tools. These tools help track and manage environmental conditions at remote facilities. Usually, it uses IoT technology where sensors are installed in the facility to measure parameters such as temperature, humidity, air quality, and energy consumption.
Then, FSM software collects and analyzes this data. It provides insights into facility performance and compliance with environmental regulations. In case of deviations from preset thresholds, it sends automated alerts to notify stakeholders. This whole automation enables timely intervention to mitigate risks and ensure regulatory compliance.
4. Emergency response and incident management
FSM software helps automate a key workflow – incident reporting.
Even if you run your facility remotely, with real-time communication channels and predefined escalation procedures — you can automate incident reporting and trigger response.
For example, in the event of an emergency, remote personnel can quickly report incidents, initiate response workflows, and coordinate with onsite teams and emergency services. This ensures a rapid and coordinated response, minimizing the impact of emergencies on facility operations and safety.
5. Remote training and knowledge sharing
Many FSM tools include knowledge base creation features. Facilities can create and deliver training modules, instructional videos, and documentation through the FSM software itself. Remote field service technicians can access these resources from any location, enabling continuous learning and skill development.
Additionally, collaboration tools allow remote workers to share best practices, troubleshoot issues, and collaborate on complex maintenance tasks in real-time.
Take the first step in decentralizing your facility management with Zuper
Zuper is a field service management software that provides tools across maintenance scheduling, workforce management, inventory tracking, and more for facility management. You can also integrate with existing tools for easy decentralization — book a demo to learn more.
Joshua White is a passionate and experienced website article writer with a keen eye for detail and a knack for crafting engaging content. With a background in journalism and digital marketing, Joshua brings a unique perspective to his writing, ensuring that each piece resonates with readers. His dedication to delivering high-quality, informative, and captivating articles has earned him a reputation for excellence in the industry. When he’s not writing, Joshua enjoys exploring new topics and staying up-to-date with the latest trends in content creation.
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