Facilitating growth

zoom

Maintenance of the Atlantis, The Palm resort on Palm Jumeirah, Dubai will cost an estimated US $2.9 million (AED11 million) annually.

Operon's Anson is also calling for more involvement at the design stage: "If we can get involved sooner, we can comment on the installation, the design and the choice of equipment. Also, because we have experience in maintaining these items and equipment, we can say: 'well if you install that manufacturer's products rather than those from that manufacturer, we know their units only need maintaining half as often'," he adds.

Design stage involvement

The subject of early involvement of FM consultants in projects is one that will be discussed at the upcoming FM Expo that is taking place on 8-12 June in Dubai. An exhibition that is dedicated to the region's FM industry, like the sector it is growing rapidly.

Another topic that is due to be covered at this year's FM Expo is the new strata law that has been introduced in the UAE and promises to have an effect on the facilities management industry.

The Strata Law allows the formation of owners' associations to manage the common areas of property, including parking areas, gyms, pools and lifts.

The issues that FM consultants are encountering with MEP contractors appear to vary. At BK Gulf asset registers are viewed as a potential source of problems, reports Martin. He claims that they need to be in place at the handover with all the "necessary details".

Anson on the other hand stresses the importance of contractors leaving projects in the right condition prior to finishing on site, for example cleaning out strainers and replacing filters.

Attitudes towards FM consultants from the MEP sector tend to be positive on the whole. There is a possibility of the consultants appearing to be busy-bodies, but Martin assures that at his firm at least they are "perceived positively".

The future of FM

Experts predict that the FM market will overtake the construction industry in years to come, but in the immediate future Mills is clear how the sector will develop: "I see a lot more people beginning to realise the importance of having an FM operator as part of the design phase."

Martin sees the industry headed in a similar direction, saying he can see the relationship between the FM and MEP sectors "intensifying" in the future.

"Clients will now have their own FM consultants and those in the MEP sector will want to have their own font of knowledge within FM to either challenge or agree with proposals," he adds.

By 2012 the FM market value is expected to grow to $10 billion (AED36.7 billion) according to Roberts. And encouragingly for the MEP sector, Roberts can see the link between the two industries strengthening.

"It is possible that we will see the MEP sector, in the long-term providing part of the FM solution [in terms of MEP maintenance] as construction in the region comes to maturity. The MEP aspect of FM is a key requirement for the future and I would see this evolving over the next four to five years," he states.

The FM industry in the US took around 25 years to fully mature; typical of the Middle East region it is expected to take just five years here.

With such a high level of growth anticipated, anybody involved in the FM industry may well be looking forward to a bright future - including those in the MEP sector.

The role of software in FM

The role of software is expected to increase in the facilities management sector as it can improve the services provided by firms.

Software packages can be used for several tasks, such as to assist a building's property management and space planning. There are also software packages that can improve the maintenance scheduling in a building; these can be locally controlled or web-based.

For the first time a Supplier's Zone will be featured at the 2008 FM Expo to display the latest software and technologies available in the industry. One such product due to be exhibited is Emco's Star Reach system.

The software is integrated into a handheld device that enables details of both preventative and corrective calls from clients to be sent directly to a technician. The complaint, location and complete history of the building or equipment can be included in the call, enabling a faster and more accurate response.

The firm claims that the system can reduce the response time to complaints within managed buildings by up to 40%. All details following site visits are logged on a database at Emco head office and a service report generated for the client.

Print | Email | Discuss this article

| Share |

READERS' COMMENTS

Click here to post a comment

Add your Comment All posts are sent to the administrator for review and are published only after approval. ArabianBusiness.com reserves the right to remove any comment at any time for any reason. Please keep your responses appropriate and on topic. Arabian Business would like to point out that only comments relevant to the story will be published. Any containing personal insults or inappropriate language will not be approved.
Name *
Remember me on this computer
Email *	(Your email address will not be published)
City
Country
Subject *
Comment *
Notify me of further comments
Enter the words above *
Please click post only once - your comment will not be published immediately.

MORE FROM ARABIANBUSINESS.COM