Software Spotlight - Fissara

Fissara is one of the new generation of workforce management applications.  Cloud hosted and subscription based, it allows for organisations of all sizes to access a scalable, mobile platform to manage engineers in the field without the large outlay associated with more traditional CAFM systems.

It has a clean, clear interface at both the office and mobile end, it is intuitive to use and extremely flexible.

If you deliver work to clients but, don’t have the burden of owning buildings or assets, Fissara is the perfect solution.

The system allows you to create your own workflows and forms, allows for scheduling and work allocation using modern time and location based solution i.e. you can select the engineer closest to or who will arrive soonest to a given job.

Fissara integrates easily with other available functions we have become so used to on our smartphones such as:

·         SatNav – It will take you straight to the job using google navigation. It also allows you to capture travel time, route and arrival via the satnav functionality

·         Barcode and QR code scanning – verify and record asset, location and conditions based on the label attached to a location or asset

                

·         Photo capture and annotation – take images and sketch or write information on them before saving

·         Capture signatures – For either job sign off, customer satisfaction or other authorisation.

The app is available for iOS or Android meaning you can use any device to provide your workforce with your preferred solution.  It is also possible to operate under a BYOD policy if your engineers/contractors have a mix of devices.

I love the fact that I can see my engineers and available work and link them together quickly and easily.

As an engineer, I love the fact that I can see my work calendar on my phone, receive a job, click start travel and have the app take me directly to the door.  Great for one visit businesses such as HVAC servicing/repair, domestic appliance servicing, locksmiths etc.

                            

I also like the fact that back in the office, I can see in real time what is going on with my workload regardless of geographic dispersion of the work and engineers.

On the downside, reporting is quite rudimentary (at the moment) although you can pay for further development.  I see this as a fantastic tool for the small business but, feel the individual licence is a bit expensive for companies with less than 10 engineers.  I fully understand that there is an accepted average price in the industry but, this is still out of reach for small independants (but then, so are most traditional CAFM systems).

Clearly, Fissara is a work delivery tool and it does this very well.  What it isn’t yet is a fully featured CAFM system although, development never stops.  The guys at Fissara tell me that it’s very easy to integrate with other systems although we haven’t tried this yet.

 If you have an exisiting CAFM application that either isn’t mobile enabled or, doesn’t do mobile as well as Fissara, you might consider investigating it as a ‘bolt on’.  I can name a number of CAFM products that have a mobile app.  I can’t name any that have the functionality and flexibility of Fissara.

New features include project planning tools and asset management making Fissara more 'employable' in the general FM sector and for PM delivery.

Well worth a look.  If we didn’t think this was a ‘best in class’ example, it wouldn’t appear on our site as a preferred solution.

So, who do we think Fissara would suit?

You could argue, anyone but, being practical I would say this is an application that suits organisations delivering a service to their clients and clients who have an obligation to maintain their responsibilities under lease arrangements such as:

·         Retail/Commercial unit occupiers – Who have a large geographic spread covered by a mobile workforce

·         Industrial/Manufacturing – who already have a control system in place but need to improve work allocation

·         Infrastructure – Organisations who maintain power or other utilities in remote, dispersed locations, Linear asset owners etc

·         Specialist contractors – HVAC, Water Treatment, Security, Cleaning, Communications

·         Small single service suppliers – locksmiths/access control, carpenters, electricians, fire safety etc

For more information please contact info@fm180.com or call us on 0330 6600 180.

Product Overview - http://media.wix.com/ugd/df1607_44716b99dde84469b1ef8a7f626376aa.pdf

Software Spotlight

This month I thought I’d start a short series of reviews of software that we provide as part of our portfolio when working with clients.

This month I’m going to look at Orthograph.

So what is it? In layman’s terms it’s an app that is available for iOS or Android that allows you to draw floorplans, add measurements and set parameters for items such as doors, windows and furniture.

So what’s so great about that?  Well, there are a few things:

• ·         You can link to a laser measure to get accurate measurements and distances
• ·         You can automatically scale the drawing by entering measurements
• ·         You can export the drawing in 2D or 3D to a number of existing modelling formats
• ·         You can even view the model in 3D as you draw it

As a non-architect/designer I found the app very easy to use and quickly produced accurate models of my local surrounding (home and office).  I was very impressed when I was able to export the models directly into proprietary drawing/modelling applications and send them to colleagues via email or dropbox.  I could even export the flat PDF floorplans directly to my printer.

Sound’s expensive, how much does it cost?  This depends on how you want to use it but, there are options to cover basic use right up to multi user corporate business use with cloud collaboration!

There’s even a free, 3 days trial here - https://www.orthograph.net/free/

You can also purchase the basic version at a reduced rate until the end of January!  Check it out here - https://www.orthograph.net/purchase/

I’m interested but, don’t have time for lengthy demos and sales pitches.  No problem, watch this vid, it lasts less than 5 minutes and tells you everything you need to know.

https://youtu.be/krTG5k15VcY

So why not give it a go?  You have nothing to lose but 5 minutes of your time and a few minutes to test it for free (or you can take the full 3 days of course).

Mainmanger shows off automated EPD calculations using the bimsync API

Mainmanger demonstrated their prototype BIM based Environmental Impact calculator at an event in Reykjavik, Island. The tool is one of the deliveries from the SAC – Standards Automatically Consumed project founded by Nordic Innovation. The tool is an implementation of EN 15978 Sustainability of construction works – Assessment of environmental performance of buildings, and combines two Api services provided by Catenda.


Read the full Article here

FM Needs Support Too!

FM is always under pressure to provide a seamless, largely unseen and cost effective service to the core business. So who supports the supporters?

Most commonly, FM's support services and infrastructure are provided by the parent organisation if the service is in-house or is self procured and sometimes internally provided for service delivery companies.  Regardless of your position, how do you know you're getting the best deal?  Who is looking after your interests?  After all, you are busy delivering the service.  It's easy to fall into the trap of doing what you do because 'that's the way we do it'.  When was the last time you challenged your ways of working and organisational beliefs?  

Maybe you are just at the stage where you feel you can 'play with the big boys' but struggle with the cost of large corporate infrastructure purchases.

Whether you are a start-up, single service FM delivery company or an established player in TFM we can help you to get more from your business.  

Are you looking for a Workforce Management/CAFM system to suit your budget and delivery strategy or have an existing system and want to get more out of it? 

Are you considering or already holding BIM data that you want to use to support your FM operations?  

Do you want to bring your IT infrastructure up to date?  

Do you need to compete in the mobile enabled market?

FM180 have a wealth of experience in supporting the FM industry.  That’s right, FM needs support too!  We can provide the hardware, IT and hosting services and help you source and implement the right applications for you.  We can help you grow if you need a scaleable and flexible solution.  We can also help you to challenge 'conventional wisdom'.

FM supports the core business, we provide the tools and systems you need to provide that support.  Why not give us a call or visit our website today?


We’re happy to have a confidential, no strings chat about your concerns and goals.  You have nothing to lose but the time it takes to call.

FM180 Complete 12 Hour Karting endurance

FM180 race team has successfully completed the 12 Hour Von Mallorca endurance race and we didn't come last :-) great effort by all of the team on what was a grueling race and thanks to team Ibsecad for all of their support and help over the weekend.

CUBICLE CENTRE SELECTS ORTHOGRAPH

Providers of high quality commercial bathrooms, the Cubicle Centre have selected Orthograph to help them deliver BIM ready solutions more effectively.  Already leading the way in BIM designed and manufactured products, the Cubicle Centre are taking BIM into the field using Orthograph's intuitive 3D survey capabilities.

The company plan to use the application to carry out on site surveys and export the 3D BIM information back to the design office directly into their 3D design software allowing them to reduce re-working and eliminating duplication of information gathering.

As the Cubicle Centre say 

"The smallest rooms in the building can lead to the biggest frustrations, but at the Cubicle Centre we are working hard to make your life as easy as possible."

Orthograph allows the user to quickly draw and measure locations accurately including adding openings, doors, windows etc.  The resulting image can then be exported in a number of established drawing formats for use in 2D and 3D drawing applications.  For a full demonstration of Orthographs capabilities view the video here - Orthograph Product Demonstration

BNYL 2015 - What will MainManager do for you?

Once your IFC is imported into MainManager, we'll create the assets and locations giving you a 3D view of your facility.  This is where the power of BIM comes to the fore.  The 3D images are great, we all like to 'fly' around the building and look at things but, the quality of data provided by the BIM model is unequaled in traditional FM terms.  From the model we can now:

• Schedule planned work.
• Assign contractors and trades in advance so we can project labour requirements.
• Create checklists allowing us to meet best practice by utilising standards such as SFG20, NRM etc.
• Attach documents, plans or drawings to works and attach the records to objects in the model.
• Create reactive tasks against objects in the model well in advance of the operate and maintain phase.  Imagine carrying out visual clash detection, creating issues and work orders during construction and making snagging a part of the solution rather than a problem at the end of a project.
• View the asset records from the objects in the model including documents, drawings, O&M manuals and work history records.  In fact, you can now access any information you need directly from the 3D representation.
• Link to  BMS, Finance and other applications.

In short, your CAFM system becomes the brain of the building, fully integrated with all systems rather than being a piece of software you buy to do some maintenance tasks.  Think about it, can you afford not to do this on your next BIM project?

BNYL Site import and test mark up tool

This is the site we are working on, Hudson Yard, New York City.  Some really exciting ideas coming from the design teams! We can't wait to see how it shapes up.

To kill a bit of time, I thought I'd check the mark up tool.

Actually, I wish I was there!  Maybe next week....

This is just an example of the mark up tool.  Nothing to do with the BNYL project but, we believe MainManager can be utilised throughout the BIM process to aid design and construction teams by providing an easily accessible visual collaboration tool which can be used to register incidents such as clashes, snagging, H&S concerns etc.

BNYL Test import of a plantroom

Well, things are moving fast, the design teams are all busy bringing the OneWYG project out of the ground.

Whilst we're waiting, we imported an example plant room and all seems well.  We're just waiting for the first structural and MEP models to find their way to us.

Excitement is building! #Facman #BIM #BIM4FM

FM180 to provide FM solutions for BNYL 2015

FM180 to provide FM solutions for BNYL 2015

WYG are taking part in Build New York Live 2015 and have selected FM180 to provide the Facilities Management solution for the project.  We are obviously very excited and looking forward to the challenge!

To follow our progress and the competition, live, keep an eye on our blog, Linked in and Twitter accounts.

+FM180 @FM180steve @wyggroup #MainManager #FM180 #BNYL #OneWYG

To read more, go to WYG takes on BNYL