Well-planned and structured integrated facility management services can add value to a building, says ANURADHA GANDHI. The scenario in the markets here is fast-evolving and creating several opportunities for various sectors such as hotels and hospitality, real estate (residential and commercial), IT, healthcare, and education, to name a few. Domestic organisations seeking to be global players require the necessary advanced infrastructure to match international standards. One of the rapidlygrowing sectors in India is real estate and infrastructure. This sector is currently contributing seven percent of the GDP and is the second-largest contributor after agriculture. 
Technology from global conglomerates is being brought to India by renowned developers to enhance quality and speed of construction. As a result, the industry needs to turn towards professional and effective project management services (PMS) and integrated facility management services (IFMS).
   Project management is a methodical approach to planning and guiding project processes from start to finish. A PMS team consists of a pool of qualified professionals such as architects, civil, structural and MEP engineers and consultants. Since PMS is their core business they can implement the best industry practices and continuously upgrade their skill sets and technology.
   The services of PMS comprise project management consultancy (PMC), construction management, and design and build solutions. Project management companies are appointed by clients from diverse sectors to ensure completion of the projects in budgeted time and cost. This is carried out by the PMS team by efficient planning, designing, implementing and controlling various activities of the project, along with careful controls to remain on the 'critical path'. Effective PMS helps meet or exceed customer expectations, maximise the use of resources (time, people, money, space etc). After the successful completion of the project it is handed over to a professional facility management company for regular upkeep and maintenance.
   IFMS is a profession that encompasses multiple disciplines to ensure functionality of the built environment by integrating people, place, process and technology. Services under its purview are house keeping services, pantry services, office support services, pest care, electro mechanical services (electrical, DG, plumbing, HVAC, BMS, STP, RO plant etc), energy management, security services, mall management, guest house management and so on.
   Professional IFMS companies provide continuous training programmes to their employees and upgrade their skills to ensure excellence in service standards and also safe working environment through safety measures and hazard control practices. They have periodic quality assurance tests, preventive maintenance schedules and standard operating procedures.
   It is often seen that the returns on investment (RoI) on a well-maintained property as compared to a property which is neglected in maintenance, both based in the same locality, is higher irrespective of age and design. With the growing Indian real estate market, consultants envisage that IFMS business in the real estate sector will grow at an annual rate of over 25 percent over the next three to five years.
   PMS and IFMS play independent roles in the construction activities by providing end-to-end solutions. There is a huge growth potential and demand for PMS and IFMS in India in the metropolitan and tier II cities. Certainly, structured, planned and well-managed services will enhance the life and capital asset value of a property.

QUICK BYTES   

A PROFESSIONALLY-RUN FACILITY MANAGEMENT SET-UP IS AN ASSET TO ANY ROJECT
   TECHNOLOGY FROM GLOBAL CONGLOMERATES IS BEING BROUGHT TO INDIA BY MANY DEVELOPERS TO ENHANCE QUALITY.   THE RETAIL AND REALTY BOOM HAS MADE FACILITY MANAGEMENT A FAST-GROWING SECTOR TODAY.