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The evolving face of building management

The Facilities Management Expo, held from the 6th to 8th June 2023 at Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, focuses on the changing trends in the facilities management/building management sector, by including exhibitors with a diverse range of products and services.

Mark Anderson.

“Interaction at the 2022 edition of the expo was brisk and energised, with visitors using the opportunity to gather vital information on solutions that would help them in the effective daily running of their operations,” says Mark Anderson, Portfolio Director at Specialised Exhibitions (a division of Montgomery Group).

In its blog, Infraspeak highlights some of the trends and challenges that 2023 will present for facilities managers¹. In short, Infraspeak focuses on the following:

• Upskilling is the new hiring.

• Smart management of the supply chain will be critical.

• Flexibility, diversity, and inclusion.

• Hybrid work and space usage.

• Digital workplace services.

• Sustainability and building efficiency.

• Proactive maintenance.

According to its e-book ‘Remote & Automated: What’s next for Facility Management?’, Infraspeak believes that facility management will ‘go remote’ in the next few decades. The book says that although technicians will still need to be on site for a few tasks, and someone will need to put equipment in place, days could go by without any need for human intervention. They believe that this will happen through:

• Discrete sensors.

• Automated data machines.

• Virtual walkthroughs.

• Additive manufacturing.

• Pay-per-person programmes.

While robots will become more commonplace, Infraspeak does not anticipate the removal of humans from the picture. With reference to AI, the book says, “AI can certainly be used to run different scenarios and predict outcomes based on data, but real life isn’t a game of chess. The best scenario from an economic viewpoint is not necessarily the fairest, or the wisest, from a human perspective.”

Facilities Management Expo will be held alongside Securex South Africa, A-OSH EXPO, and Firexpo. “The co-location of these four shows is strategic, as there is a great deal of crossover in the solutions provided by each expo in terms of facilities management. For example, the integration of security, fire detection, and occupational safety & health technology is commonplace in building/facilities management. By having all these providers under one roof, we take the drudge out of having to try and find the individual solutions over an extended period of time,” says Anderson.

In addition to its partnership with well-known industry bodies, Facilities Management provides added value for both exhibitors and visitors, with several free-to-attend seminar theatres that focus on current trends within the industries represented by the four expos.

Specifically, the Facilities Management Seminar (powered by Broll) will include topics presented by well-known industry professionals. It is complemented by the Securex Seminar Theatre, Saiosh free-to-attend Seminar Theatre powered by Saiosh and Sapema, and the Working at Height Theatre.

To find out more information about exhibiting at Facilities Management Expo 2023, visit the website at www.fmexpo.co.za or contact zelda.jordaan@montgomerygroup.com

¹ https://blog.infraspeak.com/facility-management-challenges/

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