Creating a secure learning environment for students should be the overarching goal of any educational institution. This can be ensured, in part with good quality security systems and infrastructure. What plays an even bigger role, however, is the staff employed at schools.

Specifically, in the case of facility management, the staff deployed should not only be technically capable at their jobs but should also hail from a secure background. It is important to remain aware that the employees walking in every day are all potential risks to human security, electronic information and your institute’s reputation.

How much time and resources should you invest in hiring your facility management staff? They are indeed responsible for making day-day decisions for your building maintenance and also bring their own expertise to your institution. Their support is often what determines whether facilities are run efficiently and safely.

Most importantly, these staff members work amongst children, teaching staff, and other employees every single day. True for any business, risk prevention is always cheaper than damage control. Thus, hiring the right person for an FM job is equally important

Today, hiring and screening new employees involves many crucial steps, ones which are aimed at creating more secure educational institutions. Let’s take a closer look at these-

The evolution of hiring

Hiring has now become a multi-dimensional process. Recruiting employees for different facets of facility management has changed significantly over the years. Until a few decades back, maintenance work was simply categorized as “basic labour.”

Today, thanks to the integration of softwares in facility management, recruits must now be capable of handling a computer system and at times, skilled in basic coding too. For instance, heating and cooling systems in a boiler room are now operated via software, which recruits need to be well-versed with, in order to work in such spaces. 

Setting the right employee expectations

A job description is central to the hiring process as it sets out the skills and knowledge required by an individual to integrate into their role. It must include a list of formal duties and responsibilities, physical requirements and working conditions.

In order to include a background check at the recruitment stage itself, job descriptions today also include educational requirements, equipment knowledge, credentials and licensure. More importantly, this sets clear expectations between the employer and a potential employee.

Today, companies look beyond just skills when they hire new people. Facility managers in schools must be cognizant of the kind of people they are bringing into their teams. They typically hire across a vast range of roles, such as security guards, cleaning staff, technical workforce, and nannies.

These staff members must respect the institution of the school and be committed to the safety and security of school children and teachers. Therefore, the extra time and training that is now provided to newly recruited team members ultimately pays off.

A thorough review of references

Any applicant who is interested in joining an integrated facility management company must provide reliable references as part of their applications. This includes verification from those who have worked with the individual at their previous job and their previous employer. References provide a valuable second-person viewpoint on all the information that the applicant has included in their resume and interview. Each reference must be reviewed thoroughly before proceeding toward the next step in the hiring process.

A few applicants also choose to providecharacter references. These basically vouch for their interpersonal skills, their overall character and personality traits. People who have known the applicant for a long period of time and have interacted plenty are usually good choices for character references.

If an applicant’s professional and character references are both favourable, it naturally increases their chances of being selected. In other words, references are often a holistic representation of an individual and must be considered with care during the hiring process.

Going beyond a basic background check

As mentioned earlier, the thorough cross-checking of references goes a long way in the hiring process. However, in the case of people who are going to be working around children, it is extremely important that their criminal records are verified.

In case any potential employee has been convicted of a criminal offence in the past, then significant proof must be obtained regarding the clearing of their charges and the year the crime took place.

It also helps to periodically update these records even after someone has been hired. The school has every right to ask for regularly updated criminal records for their supporting staff members and it is the facility management company’s job to keep tabs on their immediate staff to provide this information.

Other important areas of employee verification include drug testing, address verifications and employment history.

Celebrating your staff

Once hiring is wrapped up successfully, it is important to ensure that the employees who have been brought into the company continue to stay on. Since facility management is so heavily team-driven, it is often demotivating to not receive the recognition one would like, as an individual employee. Staff members make an immense contribution to the efficient functioning of an entire school campus.

For this reason alone, they must be celebrated. Their efforts can be rewarded through employee recognition programmes. Members can be compensated in monetary terms, in the form of a yearly or quarterly bonus. They can also be given thoughtful gifts like flower bouquets, candles, and special books.

Such gestures create a lasting and positive employee-company relationship, and can ultimately help create better retention rates within the facility management company. Ultimately, this also ensures good quality of staffing in educational institutions and reliable members who choose to stay on with the school for years.

The post Adding Value To FM Hiring With A Holistic Background Check first appeared on Facility Management Company.

Most integrated facility management companies today try their best to push for a planned preventive maintenance system across the different areas they manage. This is often a tricky line to walk when it comes to residential complexes, especially since it involves the well-being of hundreds of families. Here are some popular myths residents believe about PPM and here is the truth –

1. Investing in New Systems Like PPM Will Cost More

Verdict: False

While it is often assumed that any upgrades in systems will involve incurring significantly higher costs, this is not the case with planned preventive maintenance. In fact, switching to this facility management system can help monitor equipment better, thereby making it more energy-efficient and preventing untimely breakdowns. In other words, planned maintenance can help reduce the servicing period of machines. In residential areas, this means regular water and electricity supply for all homes, lifts that function well, reliable HVAC systems- which are all driven by good quality equipment. This will ultimately ensure that residents can co-exist within their surroundings.

Research and case studies have found a proven record between the switch to planned preventive maintenance and cost reduction. Organizations and residential areas have managed to reduce upto almost 12-18% of their costs by making this transition. It is clear that the field of facility management stands to benefit from such holistic investments, especially in the long run. 

2. Air Conditioning in Common Areas is Mostly Unreliable

Verdict: False

It is understandable that an impression like this may build up due to repeated incidents wherein residents may have come across faulty air conditioners in places such as community centers or common corridors within housing societies. Ventilation systems that show signs of distress or leakage usually hint at a bigger maintenance problem.

By adopting planned preventive maintenance, however, it is much easier to keep track of the HVAC System in a residential complex. Both AC and central heating systems require constant upkeep, not only because of how crucial they are to healthy indoor environments but also because they are used very frequently. Regular monitoring and timely repairs can massively help increase the useful life of HVAC systems while a maintenance software can help keep a strong check on related equipment, mitigating its malfunction.

3. Lift Maintenance Causes Disruption and Excess Waiting Time for Residents

Verdict: False

Residents of any housing complex know that their building’s elevators are a blessing in disguise, especially if they live on the higher floors of a tower. Which is why, even one day of elevator maintenance causes major disruption to their routines. The increase in the elevator waiting time and the added pressure on the other lifts is naturally likely to test patience.

Such routine inspections however are an essential part and parcel of the planned preventive maintenance process. They help prevent larger, more unexpected lift breakdowns or passenger emergencies. Elevator maintenance and modification in a periodic manner helps ensure a safe, stress-free experience for all residents. 

4. It’s Better to Replace Machines When They Stop Working, Rather Than Keep Checking in on Them Repeatedly

Verdict: False

This is a thought which naturally comes to mind with respect to the equipment used by us. For instance, most household appliances such as microwaves or refrigerators are replaced when they stop working. We don’t check on their functionality every month, and only respond when they are no longer performing optimally. This perfectly sums up the process of reactive maintenance, in a nutshell. In contrast, the idea behind planned preventive maintenance is to perform scheduled checks and maintenance on equipment so as to prevent its degradation.

In general, following planned preventive maintenance can optimize the performance of crucial equipment, help maintain a sense of safety for residents, and ensure compliance with manufacturer warranty requirements for machines. Essentially, the rationale behind preventive maintenance is to continuously focus on adding value to equipment so that they can be preserved well and large scale failures can be avoided. Furthermore, this can even help enhance the overall value of your residential property.

5. It is Always Extremely Time-Consuming to Arrange for On-Call Plumbers

      Verdict: False

Plumbing systems are an important key to keeping bathrooms and kitchens fully functional in houses. However, because of the large number of housing units in a residential complex, plumbing technicians are often occupied with a host of different jobs and not always available on-call. In case of emergencies, this can create unexpected situations for members of the household.

The adoption of planned preventive maintenance can help by keeping a constant check on plumbing and pipelines in households. With regular inspections, quality maintenance and double-checking system functionality, the need for on-call plumbers will very likely reduce over time.

6. Are Routine Building Inspections Really That Important?

Verdict: True

It’s natural to be confused by the multiple rounds of inspections that tend to take place regularly in apartment complexes. One may often find themselves wondering why such periodic checks are even required, especially when most areas and equipment in the surrounding building seem to be functioning well. The primary set-up in a planned preventive maintenance system is the undertaking of regular maintenance checksand inspections of machinery.

This helps the integrated facility management company identify upcoming problem areas, and prevent the unexpected breakdown of machinery, by initiating repair work in a timely manner. Naturally, this also reduces the need for unplanned repair work. Overall, it can significantly help reduce downtime and any disruptions to the normal performance of machines. 

In certain cases, planned maintenance inspections are actually required to take place by law.  For instance, before any tenant is granted a new lease, a gas safety check must be carried out with complete certification. Ignoring the importance of such requirements can land both residents and facility managers into trouble, while also potentially compromising on their safety. In this sense, building inspections play a much larger role in the maintenance process than one may expect.

So there you have it- the full story behind each speculative myth.

The post Popular Myths About PPM in Residences: Now Busted! first appeared on Facility Management Company.

Schools and universities are much much more than passive structures which provide education. Rather, they are important elements of the learning process for students. The quality of the physical environment within which a child studies is of paramount importance and dictates so much of their experience, along with the teaching staff and other community members. Infact, studies have shown that well-maintained school buildings can help increase teaching time and reduce teacher turnover rates by almost 25%.

An ideal physical environment is well-lit, sufficiently ventilated, safe, accessible, and aesthetically pleasing. It’s fair to assume that such an environment can allow all those present in the building to feel a sense of ownership, security, and even a degree of personalization. This can range from setting up creative seating arrangements, decorating common areas and classrooms and even dictate some of the teaching methods adopted by educators.

It is important to keep in mind that the facilities in a school are not only restricted to the physical building but also, essential elements such as electricity, plumbing, security, telecommunications, and fire safety systems. Furthermore, the athletic fields and playgrounds that are highly favoured by students across all age groups require thorough attention and upkeep throughout the year. Here’s a glimpse at the kind of role an integrated facility management company can play in educational institutes-

1. Maintaining buildings and premises

The upkeep of school buildings is a multi-pronged process. Generally, electrical maintenance for lights, air conditioning, fans, and elevators requires constant monitoring. Likewise, a close check also needs to be kept on water supply and quality, plumbing, and gas in different parts of the premises.

This can be a day-to-day job but planned preventive maintenance is a considerable help in such situations. Regular check-ups, surveying equipment, and evaluating their functioning can be made seamless with the help of a planned approach to facility management. Most importantly, this type of maintenance can extend the use of school buildings and related equipment.

2. Health and Well-being

The overall health of the student body and teaching staff is of paramount importance. In the event that any factor within school premises is the cause behind the deterioration of mental or physical health, the school administration will encounter a major storm of complaints from concerned family members.

Poor ventilation, along with untreated water or irregular waste collection can be the root causes of widespread disease and infection. In order to avoid any such complications, facility managers often work collaboratively with school administrators to monitor repairs, undertake risk assessments, and check HVAC systems, water treatment, and waste disposal plants. This goes a long way to ensure a healthy environment on campus.

3. Emergency Protocols

It never hurts to be prepared for the worst-case scenario and with the responsibility of an entire student body and staff, schools must be vigilant about this. Emergency situations like fires, earthquakes, and power cuts usually occur unannounced.

In this regard, facility management companies can help plan out regular risk assessment processes. These usually range from checking fire extinguishers, the functionality of fire hoses and alarms, and monitoring circuit boards or backup power supplies. Ofcourse, the school administration and teaching staff play an important role here by conducting regular fire drills to test emergency systems and student preparedness. 

4. Security

Creating a secure learning environment begins with ensuring the safety of everyone within the school premises. Facility management companies can play an important role by providing security services to educational institutes. Most facility management companies, for instance, offer installation, repair, and maintenance services for CCTV cameras around school campuses. It also provides gate barrier systems and professional security guards who are responsible for patrolling campuses. Such amenities are especially helpful for some of the larger campuses.

Other equally important systems include biometric or code-based entry systems for the teaching staff, to prevent the entry of unauthorized people from entering the premises. The Visitor Management System (VMS) popularly installed in most school buildings prevents trespassing. 

5. Pre-planned maintenance

Maintenance with a regular schedule is the best fit for large buildings like schools and universities. Pre-planned or planned preventive maintenance allows inspections to occur which may be scheduled daily, monthly or annually.

These integrated facility management services can include daily cleaning work, tending to grounds and landscaping by gardeners, and even more long-term maintenance such as repainting buildings or fixing broken furniture.

Using facility management software in schools is a digitalized solution for more seamless maintenance. It can substantially help reduce the spending of school budgets on maintenance activities. It can also help educational institutes meet their sustainability commitments by adopting cleaner electricity sources and cutting costs on resources like energy and gas. This can usually be supplemented with the use of solar panels, which many facility management companies offer to install and maintain. Overall, software for facility services can significantly help extend the lifetime value of school buildings.

If performed well, facility management can contribute positively to the culture of schools, boost teaching environments, and support every student’s educational journey.

The post Facility Management and The Education Sector: Collaborative Partners first appeared on Facility Management Company.

The festive season brings with it countless joy, family events and their preparation. A festival as significant as Diwali, is accompanied by events, parties and family visits- all of which are events which take place in the home. This naturally makes it a necessity to ensure that our living spaces look clean and attractive. This is a gap which can successfully be covered by facility management.

The demand and presence of facility management and related services has grown immensely in the last decade. Citizens have started understanding the value of services provided by an organized company, as opposed to by informal contractors. Most companies have now extended their purview of services to include housekeeping services- an important element when it comes to Diwali preparations. Here are some of the ways in which having a facility management on board can be a huge boon for homes and housing societies-

1. Reduction in stress for all involved

In the case of large amounts of work, it’s always a good practice to delegate tasks to different people. At an individual householdlevel, this could mean dividing responsibilities between different members of the family so the work can wrap up sooner. Meanwhile, at a residential complex level, this can mean outsourcing important facility management tasks to an integrated facility management company, which can reduce the pressure of handling the upkeep of such large areas.

Such companies ensure that the different requirements within a housing society are seamlessly met- such as elevator maintenance, visitor management, water and electricity supply, as well as landscaping in surrounding areas. In this sense, housing societies benefit quite a bit from delegating these tasks to a professional team of facility managers.

While these teams take good care of the areas surrounding our homes, it is important to keep in mind that the spirit of Diwali revolves around giving to others. This can manifest in very simple ways- such as by taking small steps to make the lives of others a lot less stressful. As residents, we can do this by ensuring that we check our ACs and heaters frequently, as opposed to making last minute calls to servicing professionals on the day of Diwali. Similarly, it helps to inform the security personnel in advance about the guests we may be expecting or entering these details into the housing security app so that we make parking management easier for them.

2. Maintenance and Management

The festive season is a time for change and new beginnings. While any home requires constant upkeep throughout the year, it is during Diwali we want to put our best foot forward and allow our houses to shine.

In a similar manner, maintenance is an essential component of any housing complex, year after year. A dedicated facility management team can make a world of difference and can even help increase the lifespan of such areas. This can include repairs, timely quality checks, housekeeping services and ensuring that residential spaces are well taken care of.

As residents, we can also play a vital role in supporting such maintenance activities. Waste management is an important process at residential locations and an activity wherein change truly begins with one household. In other words, one can help by segregating our waste at source and sustainably managing the larger quantities of waste generated after group get-togethers. It is also equally important to be conscious of our electricity consumption, which often amps up during the festive season. No matter the time of the year, environmental consciousness should still remain one of our priorities as residents. Such micro-level monitoring of facilities adds up and makes a substantial difference for the overall area.

3. Deep Cleaning

Diwali brings with it a concentrated effort at deep cleaning entire homes in time for the festival’s arrival. This type of cleaning is in fact, markedly different from regular cleaning that happens on a daily basis. Deep cleaning effectively targets accumulated dirt and grime in hard-to-reach corners of your house and is the ideal solution for curbing the spread of harmful bacteria. Facility management companies also provide housekeeping services under their purview, making this vital activity a lot easier for families. For instance, Enviro has a separate app through which a team of expert cleaners can be arranged at your doorstep- called the Enviro Home Services app. In this manner, integrated facility management services can be arranged with considerable ease by customers, at their own disposal. Another way we can contribute here is by booking our pest control appointments well in advance, so as to avoid any last-minute hassles and be reassured that our homes are truly clean.

While deep cleaning is a team activity that typically takes place during this time of the year, it is also equally important that this happens across the larger housing society as well. Housekeeping services extend across the entire area and are carried out with the same fervour in common areas such as elevators, lobbies, and outdoor spaces too. They ensure that residents are able to navigate all aspects of their housing society with ease and reassurance.

4. The PDCA Cycle – Plan-Do-Check-Act

ThePlan-Do-Check-Act Cycle is an important quality control model and the process behind planning the inspection of areas by facility management companies. An alternative but simple way of understanding it is to compare it to the process of planning out Diwali cleaning in homes.

The 4 steps of this model take place as follows-

. Plan- Establishing the objectives and priorities for the overall activity

. Do- After clearly setting the objectives, a detailed plan is crafted to plan the inspection of different areas. During this stage, teams are assigned area-wise, the areas to be observed are specified, with all the information carefully recorded in an inspection software application.

. Check- After the thorough inspection is wrapped up, the data goes into review in the form of a data audit.

. Act- Based on all the information gathered, it is always a good idea to come up with alternative solutions or ideas on how to carry out the inspection more efficiently the next time around.

A detailed safety audit leaves both, residents and facility management teams at ease.

As is evident, housekeeping is a multi-pronged effort and requires commitment on the part of residents as well as facility management teams. In the long run, however, regular housekeeping ensures the longevity of certain resources and areas and keeps them disease-free. This Diwali, make a commitment to keeping your homes clean and prosperous, along with helping others around you enjoy their festival too.

The post A Brighter And Cleaner Diwali For Everyone first appeared on Facility Management Company.

A whopping 850 acres of green cover across different spaces is managed by Enviro India. This area happens to be double the size of the Aravalli Biodiversity Park. It’s incredibly important to preserve such green areas since most areas with buildings tend to be very unsustainable. You’d be surprised to know that buildings actually contribute to almost 30% of greenhouse emissions globally.

Most industries today are looking for ways to make their operations more sustainable. This change is no longer driven by sustainability being a “trending topic” but by an urgent need to slow down the pace of the global climate crisis, which is at its peak currently. It is a real threat for all countries alike, irrespective of where in the world they may be located.

How can facility managers step in and make their operations greener? It is essential that their decisions are mindful of the organization’s capabilities while also creating a positive impact on the environment. Here are some of the ways they can drive this change:

1. Adopt a Holistic Approach

There are numerous facets to an integrated facility management company– their administration, investments, operations and services are all interconnected. Each of these facets commits to sustainability in their own way, but often are unable to carry out their operations in a unified manner, as a company. What’s important here is building a holistic sustainability plan which follows a common direction.

At an operational level, this should mean smooth coordination across the different teams mentioned before. These functions shouldn’t override the efforts of the other team, and should ideally pace themselves out to work in a coherent way. This can take place at a micro-level, such as installing waste sorting bins around buildings, adjusting cleaning services and planning changes by communicating with anyone responsible for them. It can also be implemented at a macro-level, by drafting detailed plans with each of the departments.

2. Testing Things Out Before Implementation

Going green is a massive change and requires a great deal of preparation to actually commit to. An organized way to see if certain measures will work for a building or in favour of a business is to test them out beforehand. This can start with conducting sustainability analytics, which can provide a good overview of the facility’s current sustainability status. Once facility managers have this information, it’s a lot easier to work alongside the administration to craft strategies for future rollouts.

Additionally, it is always a good idea to conduct an audit and gain insight into where certain facilities may be wasting energy. An audit gives you access to all sorts of useful data- usage based on occupancy, seasonal rises in energy use or inefficient equipment. This data can help you make more accurate decisions, which may ultimately end up being greener for your company too.

Finally, it helps to run smaller pilot projects and conduct study visits to test out alternative facility management solutions. Since resources and budgets in any company are limited, not all plans can be implemented each year. Pilots can help give facility managers a realistic picture of what sustainable measures can be implemented within a particular year and which ones can be set aside for the future.

3. Keeping All Stakeholders in the Loop

A company-wide commitment to sustainability comes with keeping everyone who could be potentially impacted in the loop. Different employees are involved with these changes in different capacities. For instance, managers usually draw out a general direction of the efforts. Sustainability coordinators set out an overall plan of changes and are also responsible for checking in on the progress from time to time.

While not directly involved in implementing these changes, employees and residents are also kept in the loop. This is done to provide them with a sense of reassurance about the fact that sustainability measures are forthcoming. More externally, companies also communicate their newly implemented set of efforts to the press, their clients and their collaborators. Sustainability in this sense does not come under the purview of any one department but is a collective effort across the organization.

4. Upgrade to Greener Options

It’s very easy to equate a sustainable lifestyle with curbing new purchases entirely, but this can actually be more harmful in the long run. In terms of facility management, it is actually the case that many assets in old buildings are not the most carbon-friendly due to the period of time in which they were constructed. Therefore, these assets tend to consume more energy and are largely inefficient.

In such cases, purchasing new machinery and equipment is, ironically, the more sustainable way forward. There are many ways this can be done – using modern insulation to preserve energy, switching to renewable energy sources like geothermal or solar for your facility, installing new roofing which works for heat-trapping, and replacing boilers, windows and HVAC units. This will ensure that the integrated facility management services offered by companies are safe and efficient. 

5. Supplementing Facility Management with Eco-friendly Practices

A number of companies in the facility management space are adopting innovative ways to integrate eco-friendly practices into their daily work. This can range from vermicomposting and installing solar panels, to rainwater harvesting and operating sewage treatment plants.

Enviro India is furthering this by carrying out vermicomposting drives across housing societies and commercial complexes. This process is completely natural and leaves the soil nutrient-rich and organically healthier to grow newer plants, while also helping residents bond with one another. Further, by planting oxygen-rich trees like Banyan, Ashoka and Neem, they are also ensuring better quality air for the people inhabiting these spaces. Moreover, solar energy is the power source of the future, and it can be leveraged to our advantage in a country like India, which receives plenty of sunlight.

In the largely disruptive film of global warming, sustainability is perhaps the most crucial final act one could hope to execute. At a time when businesses are pitching to millennial customers, it is important to remember that globally, almost 73% of the millennial consumer group is willing to spend more on a product if the brand associated with it is sustainably oriented. We must also not forget that onboarding greener company policies can help your business save money in the long run. A sustainable future therefore, is our only future.

The post 5 Effective Practices for Sustainable Facility Management first appeared on Facility Management Company.

It is often said that ‘one stitch in time, saves nine’!  So to say, in order to avoid something that can be disastrous at a later stage one needs to take action now. The need for power and electricity is growing by the minute. Be it a residential or a commercial space, every unit requires its own set of energy and power.

Moreover, it is true to say that commercial spaces, given their sheer size and the number of people consume energy and power much more than residential spaces, with every employee and every machinery adding to the per unit usage.  The requirement isn’t limited to the daily usage, but given the modernization of tools and implements and advancement in technology, even most of them are powered by electricity in order to save time and increase efficiency.

There is no way to do away with the requirement, but anything that is constantly depleted runs a risk of getting exhausted someday and power and electricity are no different. One must make every effort to conserve these resources. Even in commercial spaces, one must take the following energy saving measures to save power and energy;

1. More Accountability: It’s about understanding the gravity of the situation and acting accordingly. It is true to say that one doesn’t usually pay attention to the plugs and switches around ones office and commercial space since we aren’t directly incurring any costs or being held accountable. But to imagine your work running smoothly without the use of energy and power is far from what one can even imagine. Therefore, one must make an effort to be vigilant and take it upon them to make sure and turn off all sources of electricity and power that are not in use.

• Spreading the Word: It’s important to make people aware of the far-reaching consequences of the wastage of electricity and power and every organization and commercial space must make it a part of their SOPs to have posters and signboards that urge people to switch off any source of energy that is not in use. The communication should be direct and simple enough for every employee and the staff to understand, so much so that it creates a sense of urgency in their mind.

• Reduce and Re-Imagine: As a style of working, most offices are designed in such a way that even on a given day when there is less staff, the employees are scattered all over.  This also means that the sources of energy are used in an exploitative manner, whereas the aim should be to efficiently use energy. As an alternative, what can be done is the seating plan should be kept in a way that the energy resources are uniformly divided and it should be made a part of the SOPs to make sure that if in case the sources of energy can be concentrated at one place and the rest of the energy sources can be conserved by switching them off, it should be done.

• Alternative Sources of Energy

When it comes to non-renewable sources of energy, one has to be made to realize that if they aren’t used judiciously, sooner or later there will be a scarcity and one will have to hugely compromise on ones needs. Before it reaches that stage it is essential to take stock and make arrangements to use alternative sources of energy. Here is where a facility management comes into play. As far as commercial spaces go, one can look at solar energy. It should be a part of an integrated facility management services to provide the customer with this energy conserving service for now and as a futuristic viable option.

To conclude, even commercial buildings and spaces need to have a contingency plan in place to save power and non – renewable sources of energy. It first begins with every single individual working or associated with the organization and then it moves on to the management of larger overall commercial space that needs to be managed in such a way that the energy resources are efficiently used for which it can engage an integrated facility management company.

The post Is Energy Saving Important In Commercial Buildings? first appeared on Facility Management Company.

We at Enviro India – integrated facility management services truly believe in the conservation and sustainability of mother Earth. In our continual effort to make our residences and spaces as environmentally friendly and efficient as possible we joined in to celebrate World Conservation Day on 28^th July. The initiative was made to recognize the vital role that nature plays in sustaining a stable, productive human society. The pandemic has reiterated in no subtle ways that for one to live a healthy life, nature has to be nurtured, just the way it nurtures us. To give back to nature is to ensure that the future is safe and abundant, for us as well as the generations to come.

Most of us were indeed awestruck to see nature recuperate while we all stayed safe at home. One could once again marvel at the gorgeous clean blue skies and the healthy greens all around were quite enlivening to the spirit. Each one has to take it upon ourselves to make sure that we maintain this beauty and enchanting foliage of nature. Notwithstanding that we still continue to pollute the environment, but we can always counter the affect by planting trees that would purify the air all around.  Greenery is the healthiest lifestyle one can be endowed with and we must make every effort towards its sustainability and longevity.

With this in mind, Team Enviro came together as one for a Plantation Drive organized at Vatika INXT at Gurugram where we planted 50 saplings of the fruit bearing Jamun tree and the hardy and deep-rooted Casuarina tree. The residents also actively participated in the tree plantation drive, it was indeed heartening to see people from all age groups take time out of their daily hum drum and grace the event with their presence and open-heartedly be part of it. It also states that one is aware and keen to make a difference for the sustainability of nature.

We chose to plant Jamun tree saplings for the evergreen nature of the tree and also its affinity with people all over India. Not only do we envision, how green and tall the tree will grow to be, but also little children climbing them and enjoying the delicious fruits. Our idea is for them to understand the importance of Mother Nature and build a relationship with it. The future depends on them and to ensure that they are aware and sensitive to Mother Nature- the essence of life, is almost like an investment.

The Casuarina saplings were planted keeping in mind the tenacious nature of the tree, also known as She-Oak. The tree also grows very deep roots, therefore offering it a quality to stand the test of weather and time. It also has very beautiful needle-like leaves, resembling those of pine trees. Who wouldn’t want to enjoy the visual treat these trees have to offer. Especially, in the North since we love our hill stations these trees would offer a gorgeous green cover and look pleasant to the eyes.

We also pledged to promote green initiatives in our day-to-day lives for a pollution-free and sustainable environment. Our effort as an integrated facility management company was also to lead by example and leave a lasting impact on the residents and encourage them to make little efforts in their own way towards a sustainable and healthy environment. As a part of facility management, by planting new trees and increasing the green cover we also aim to reduce the pollution levels and purify it into clean air.

We strive to organize and be a part of many such efforts towards world conservation and trees plantation in the future as our contribution towards a green initiative in India.

We were generously covered by our media partners such as Business News This Week, Media Bulletins, Digital Media 9, India CSR, The Live India, Daily Hunt who further spread the word.

The post Life Thrives Best in the Rich Canopy of Green first appeared on Facility Management Company.

The COVID-19 pandemic hit most industries badly in its wake. Some of the consequences that most of the employees had to face were related to the need for digitalization.

Since the time we have been under the lockdown restrictions formulated by the authorities, moving out to offices hasn’t been possible at all. But a lot of surveys and research papers on this matter have revealed that professionals and diplomats have liked this change of working from home.

Even for the facility management industry, digitalization is essential.

Facility Management and Digitalization

The pandemic made the facility management industry realize that the need of becoming tech-savvy is around the corner. Supervisors faced their issues, due to which the building maintenance services were on a fall.

Due to such issues, organizations started moving out to technological solutions. Programs and several different software as a service (SaaS) solutions are now helping the FM industry in micromanaging everything. Along with SaaS products and services, companies are gradually diving into the world of AI too.

An integrated facility management company is now working in full flow since digitalization was the only thing that it had been missing for decades. But the deadly COVID-19 pandemic acted as a catalyst and made sure that the FM industry had a close look towards the future.

Now, artificial intelligence and SaaS solutions can make sure that your office is automated. Working on automation will result in making processes more efficient. Machines and technology can monitor as well as micromanage everything, while the service provider can work on some other aspect of his job.

Moreover, remote management of operations will also be quite efficient. Becoming tech-savvy is not just a choice anymore. It has become of the necessities for the seamless growth of a facility management company.

Digital Advancements for Your Office

Internet of things along with artificial intelligence and machine learning is now making workspaces smarter than before. Technology now allows you to place sensors in your office and use cloud management services for optimizing the whole experience.

Keeping an eye on all the details and staying up-to-date has also become easy with sensors and other technological advancements. Even if you find a failure in some working part, then there’s a chance that by mistake you may miss it. But AI will not. In 2021, technology has moved beyond anybody’s imagination. System failure can not only be detected with technology but also repaired with AI and robots!

Online systems are much more advanced today, and they can initiate the process of repairing on their own. It saves human energy and time investment. Such things are also going to be beneficial in the post COVID world. Upon reopening, all the industries will have to compete again. Moreover, customers will look for better services. Through technology, an FM company can strategize every role and provide the best integrated facility management services.

Facility Management Services at Enviro

At Enviro, we are already equipped with the latest technology in line. The inclusion of all the new technologies in our company has been very convenient not just for us, but even our customers.

Our SaaS cloud computing system is easily scalable and, we can easily operate on a lot of projects together. The system allows us to plan everything and execute our strategies well.

Upgrading or even repairing requires zero downtime, as we are firm believers in automating processes that make the whole experience hassle-free. Apart from that, our integrated facility management services adhere to the rules and regulations that have been set up by the government. Our services have been developed after extensive planning of all the resources and the requirements of our customers.

That keeps updated with the industry’s recent trends and innovations.

Imagining a post COVID environment at Enviro is now easy since we are prepared with all the precautions and guidelines. Reopening would not only mean working again but also, working towards the better health of all the people coming to the office. Human management is a key to better results, and we are in compliance with that principle. Technology will go hand in hand with humans if both are in their prime state.

The post Why is Digitalization the Need of the Hour Post- COVID for Facility Management? first appeared on Facility Management Company.

The COVID-19 outbreak left all of us gasping for breath. To curtail the spread, numerous measures were needed to be undertaken. It effected all employees from all sectors and branches, with some loosing out and some getting to work from home.

The contagion has wiped out employment and put countless people’s lives in jeopardy. Lots of women and men’s dietary availability, as well as nourishment, are jeopardized when primary caregivers lose employment, get ill, or even die, with others in low-income nations, notably the much more disadvantaged communities, such as small businesses as well as native communities, being among the most impacted. 

Various people would concur that social and physical barriers which have been established throughout numerous places around the world have had a substantial impact on how people engage with as well as associate with one another. The difficulty to engage with people in major places of socialization or even interaction, like the diners, libraries, sports stadiums, as well as both cultural and neighborhood institutions, has intensified this absence in connection.

Preventing the Spread of Covid-19 in Office Buildings

Organizations must develop new methods and safety procedures when getting back to work, as governments and the localities continue to loosen the restrictions on stay-at-home directives, Maids and helpers as well as social distancing policies.

In COVID-19’s reopening of the workplace, cleanliness and hands-free devices will be crucial. We at Enviro, an integrated  facility managements decided to establish office safety regulations related to covid 19 pandemic, his was initiated to minimize the transmission of COVID-19 and limit its influence on workers.

As several diverse individuals are arriving and leaving during the day, plus, the majority of them having to go through regular access spots like hallways, security checks, as well as elevators, workplace buildings are ideal sites for infections like this to thrive. As employees return to work following the corona virus, there are much appropriate protective procedure steps your company can use to ensure a healthy working atmosphere for your staff from the time they walk through the door.

Enviro offers Sanitization services for office spaces and commercial buildings from the spread of Covid-19. These services include;

Complete Sanitation Services : End to End

During these unusual times, Enviro specialists are particularly equipped to scrub as well as disinfect your workplaces based on the current disease control centers’ guidelines. We possess years of professional experience working with biological pollutants, and we will go above and beyond what cleaning personnel do on a routine basis.

Scrubbing porous as well as non-porous areas, sanitizing non-porous objects, cleansing and sanitizing gear, instruments, and materials utilized for the cleaning procedure, plus garbage removal are all common sanitation processes.

We also carry out disinfection of high-touch items including countertops, tabletops, door handles, electrical outlets, kitchen appliances, restrooms, cellphones, computers, ipads, and desks as recommended by the disease control centers.

The disease control center suggests using a certified hospital-grade antiseptic that asserts to be effective against infections that are comparable to the corona virus. EPA approved developing viruses assertions may be found on several Enviro supplies.

Vehicle Sanitization

Part of our building maintenance services also includes sanitation and disinfection of automobiles. Decontamination services must be performed following thoroughly evaluated safety procedures to guarantee the safety of employees, the broader population, as well as decontamination maintenance personnel. At the entry fate the vehicle is sanitized, largely at the door handle

Enviro uses disinfectants that are by local standards as well as antiviral-approved. Utilizing specialized instruments and appropriate safety gear, Enviro’s highly skilled professionals sanitize all-important touch-points as well as areas in a systematic manner.

Fogging equipment is used to reach out to a bigger region, while a sprayer is used to spray the vehicles.

Thermal Check

Fever is among the most prevalent manifestations of COVID-19, as stated by the World Health Organization. As a result, early detection of fever using scanning measures and fever-screening equipment can be a valuable element of your company’s operations.

Enviro specialists utilize the use of no-contact thermal check systems to scan anybody accessing your workplace premises while keeping social spacing rules in mind.

Arogya Setu app

This Arogya Setu app is an administration aimed project at ensuring the highest level of protection for its population from this dangerous infection. In a nutshell, this software links Indian healthcare services to their citizens at this inconvenient moment.

The software warns an operator of any hotspots or high-risk spots around his or her home via interaction tracking. It can help a person take the necessary precautions to prevent contamination.

Users of the app could also ascertain if they are presently experiencing indications related to Covid-19. Self-diagnosis can be aided by the mobile application, which can also tell you if you need to see a doctor.

This app is important as a security measure for knowing if an individual is travelling or recently been to a highly sensitive area or a Contamination area. The guards check if they are healthy enough to enter a working space building or any buildings.

Our specialists at Enviro utilize this app by installing it on their smartphones. They fill out the requirements of the app and keep their smartphone Bluetooth on. After the app’s set-up is complete, our specialists move around the building and facility to detect any infected individuals.

Enviro integrated facility management services are top-notch and we are here to make sure each building gets the right protection and prevention against the deadly virus.

The post Building Security Checklist for COVID Prevention first appeared on Facility Management Company.

The role of facility management

Ever since, Covid-19 came to our shores, we have been learning about this virus. Scientists are working at war like pace to come up with a vaccine. Now, the stories evolving says about new variants which are more difficult to diagnose. The regular RT-PCR test are coming Negative for people who have all the symptoms of the virus.

Thankfully, many pharma companies have come out with vaccines to fight the virus, namely, Covishield, Covaxin, Sputnik, Moderna, J&J and Pfizer have come up with their own vaccines. Some of the vaccines are based on mRNA / Viral vector or Inactivated Virus model. Some need 2 shots and some 1. Efficacy of each vaccine also varies.

In this second wave, which has seen counts rising to Lakhs and deaths by thousands. It’s imperative the vaccine is administered to the masses at the earliest. Government has bifurcated the age group into 18+ to 44 yrs and 45yrs and above. Primarily the agencies are trying to inoculate the 45+ as they are more susceptible and given the large population and the vaccine available. Given the magnamity of the situation, the efforts were falling short as reaching out to the masses while keeping precautions in mind was becoming a challenge for the government.

In such scenario the private hospitals played their part by organizing Vaccination camps at the residential societies for all age groups. Enviro, The Integrated Facility Management services company ties up with major Hospitals like Max, Fortis, Birla and Columbia Asia for conducting camps in societies operated by them. Enviro played its part of the facility management company by organizing them at the earliest in different days and more than 450 residents got their jab. This close coordination helped the residents to not venture out. The beauty was that there was no age restriction and none for doses too once parameters are met.

During lockdown 1 & 2 and also during the time when people all over the country were picking their life together after lockdown, Enviro, continued with making the residents life easier by doing home delivery of essentials, medicines were procured and sent to Covid affected homes. Many Sr citizens, pregnant ladies and handicapped people were not able to go to the private hospitals and to PHC’s. In this regard, again, holding a camp became very beneficial. As they would have to be not travel outside the society plus more space for following the norms of social distancing which might not be adhered at public hospitals. Post Vaccination, the residents were asked to wait for 30 minutes to check if there are any effects that one may have from the vaccine. Snacks were also given to the people who turned up.

The residents, RWA and citizen groups widely appreciated our effort. In the coming days, Camps are being organized at Sec 71 & 81, both of these are done by Birla hospital. Till the time the PHC doesn’t come to Societies, relaying on pvt sector Hospitals for vaccine is the best and safest bet for residential societies.

We are in the process of getting a FREE Vaccination Camp for the underprivileged at Matrikiran School. This is being done in association with VCARE NGO. The more numbers we can get people to get vaccinated, that’s how well our preparation would be against COVID 19.

The Corona Virus can be eradicated once and for all only by vaccination of the masses, it will be long process and we are proud to do our bit.

The activity of arranging such camps at so many societies also earned us a few media coverages.

The post Why Vaccination Camps Within Societies Is A Welcome Step first appeared on Facility Management Company.