How to organize facility management software records

Facilities management

Key takeaways

  • Identify clear goals for your facility management software records organization for more purposeful structure.
  • Plan your records system to include essential asset details and avoid common mistakes like data duplication.
  • Implement the designed system using suitable tools, with AI options being beneficial.
  • Regularly update and revise your data in response to changes in assets or maintenance activities.

About this guide

Facility management software records serve as the backbone of an organization, helping track the use, maintenance, and disposal of physical assets over their lifetime. These records provide transparency, aid in decision making, and enhance productivity while reducing operational costs. Why is organizing these records important? Lack of proper organization can lead to miscommunication, inefficient resource allocation, and ultimately higher expenses.

Through this article, you will gain insights into the step-by-step process of organizing facility management software records, helping you improve overall efficiency and effectiveness in your organization.

1.  Identify your Goals

The initial step is to recognize your goals. What purpose will these organized records serve? You might be seeking more efficient asset management, better space utilization, or a user-friendly maintenance tracking system. Understand that the goals could vary based on the number of records, the need for collaboration, and the complexity of the records.

2. Plan your organization system

Your next move should be deciding on what information to track and how to structure it. Are you focusing on asset lifespan, cost, maintenance schedules, or all? Formulate your system based on these factors. Also, ensure to set up your system in a way that prevents common missteps such as data duplication, unsystematic naming, and keeping unrelated data in the same table.

3. Implement your system

Once your blueprint is ready, proceed to implement it. Numerous categories of software are available in the market that can aid you in this process. A mention must be made of platforms that use AI to automate data management and organization like Skippet, making the entire process much easier and efficient.

4. Maintain your organization system

Post implementation, it's crucial to maintain your system properly. Regular revisions to the structure should be carried out, driven by changes in your organization or external environments.

Best practices and common mistakes

As you embark on this journey, follow industry best practices like using consistent naming conventions, segregating data logically, and regularly updating records. Simultaneously, be aware of common mistakes, such as data silos or keeping unrelated data in the same table. Overlooking these could exert a heavy toll on your organization's efficiencies. By using my profound knowledge of data management and facility management software records, I hope to empower you to avert such errors.

Example facility management software records organization system

Let's bring the concepts down to a specific, practical scenario for greater clarity. Consider a large office space, with a wide array of physical assets - varying from office furniture to HVAC systems and electrical installations. Here's how a well-organized facility management software records system might work:

The first step is to identify the goals. Since the focus would be on achieving optimal efficiency in asset usage, maintaining a transparent record of asset service history, and ensuring smooth collaboration among teams, the system would be designed with these goals in mind.

Next, the organization system would be planned. It would include details about asset type, purchase date, warranty information, cost, and maintenance schedules. A logical and clear data structure adhering to strict naming conventions and proper categorization for easy searchability and retrieval would be crucial to avoid errors like data duplication.

Moving on, the envisioned system would be implemented using an appropriate software solution. Rather than using spreadsheets or paper-based records, the team would leverage a software tool offering automated record management features.

The last step emphasizes the ongoing nature of managing facility management software records. Over time, new assets may be procured, old ones retired, and maintenance schedules revised. The system ensures these updates are regularly made, maintaining the system's relevance and accuracy.

Wrapping up

Once an effective facility management software records organization system is in place, it can serve as a strategic enabler, leading to greater productivity, efficient resource allocation, and cost avoidance. The challenge lies in establishing and maintaining such a system, which requires clear goal setting, careful planning, use of appropriate software tools, and an ongoing commitment to data integrity and currency. 

Frequently asked questions

Is it necessary to use software to organize my facility management records?

Although it's possible to use manual methods for smaller infrastructures, using software allows you to access, update, and analyze data much more efficiently, particularly for larger organizations.

What details should be included in my facility management software records?

Core details include asset type, purchase date, warranty information, maintenance schedules, and costs. 

How frequently should I update my facility management software records?

It's best to revise any record as soon as there's a change - purchases, disposals, maintenance events, etc. 

What kind of software can help in organizing my facility management software records?

There are many categories of software available on the market, from comprehensive enterprise asset management tools to specific preventive maintenance software. Ideally, choose a software that best fits your needs and goals.

Related articles

Check out Skippet in action.