Facility Management June - July 2018

The Internet of Things has revolutionised much of the way facility managers go about their business, but there’s no doubt it has created a whole new set of challenges as well. As never before, we’re seeing an extraordinary level of integration between the systems underpinning smart buildings, the people who work in them and the teams that manage and maintain them. But with every technological innovation that comes to the fore, there are legions of criminal types intent on exploiting whatever they can. Insurers would call it business ‘disruption’ until that term was hijacked as a synonym for innovation itself. In this issue of FM, we look at how prepared facility and building managers are to manage cyber risk. Given the implementation of new data privacy laws and the announcement…

A Facility Management content partner is an organisation with which we’ve entered into a partnership to collaborate on content for the magazine. In this issue, thought leaders from their respective organisations are: ASSA ABLOY’S BRIAN CORNWELL Brian Cornwell is BIM technologies manager at ASSA ABLOY Australia Pty Ltd. BILLI’S ADRIAN CUGNETTO Adrian Cugnetto is the marketing manager for Billi Pty Ltd. HUMANSCALE’S STEVE BENDER Steve Bender is global managing director of technology and monitor arms Humanscale.…

New research shows there’s been a shift in the workplace as Australians increasingly value flexible working arrangements, for many even over a higher salary. The survey of 1000 Australian office workers, published in the newly released 2018 ‘Robert Half Salary Guide’, found the majority (84 percent) of Australian office workers are willing to accept a lower salary for more benefits. Flexibility tops the charts, as almost half (47 percent) would be willing to accept lower pay in return for flexible working hours. Other preferred benefits include the option to work from home (40 percent), increased holiday allowance (37 percent), medical benefits (36 percent) and travel allowances, such as company cars and fuel expenses (31 percent). Andrew Brushfield, director of Robert Half Australia, says, “While salary is a prime motivator and…

Companies in the warehouse management sector need to implement new software and IT logistics technologies or risk losing competitive advantage, according to Australian warehouse management and transport systems company, Paperless Warehousing Group. Chairman and chief executive John Vercoe says there are massive changes in best-practice methods for operational efficiency throughout the sector. “While it may be tempting to stick with the status quo, the reality is that technological advancements are having a huge impact on our industry and, frankly, this is a positive thing,” he says. “From reduced errors and manpower requirements, to improved processing speed, accuracy and capabilities, companies that fail to entertain the possibilities offered by software systems and the latest hardware and equipment do so at their own peril.” The company says that increasingly across the manufacturing…

A new Melbourne hotel will set new design standards in energy efficiency to help cut as much as 25 percent of its energy consumption, drawing on a $39 million investment commitment from the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC). The Holiday Inn Express at Southbank in Melbourne is being developed by the Pro-invest Group. As part of the CEFC finance, Pro-invest Group will lift the design standard for the project, ensuring the latest clean energy technologies are included from the construction stage. CEFC CEO Ian Learmonth says: “These design changes will result in a 25 percent drop in the hotel’s energy use, delivering a substantial energy saving that will provide ongoing benefits for the hotel, carbon-conscious guests and for the environment.” Pro-invest Group CEO Ronald Barrott says the company is committed…

Australian employers report that communication is currently the most valued and in-demand soft skill, according to a new survey by ManpowerGroup, which predicts IT, frontline and customer-facing roles will see the greatest hiring increase in the country. Australian employers are anticipating that the continued growth in automation will drive an increase in headcount over the next two years, requiring more people and more skills. The report – ‘Robots Need Not Apply: Human Solutions in the Skills Revolution’ surveyed 20,000 employers across 42 countries, including over 1500 in Australia. The survey found that automation is happening at different speeds across Australia, with key industries and functions likely to suffer while others gain. In response to the impact of automation, 21 percent of Australian employers expect to grow their workforce, while 62…