Concerning the management of a facility, one of the choices that owners of businesses have to make is the outsourcing of hard facilities management or internal management.
Hard FM relates to the hard infrastructure of the building, like heating, ventilating, air conditioning systems, plumbing, electricity, and so on. Each one is effective in its own way, although there are still certain factors that you need to think about when choosing which of them is right for yourself.
Hard FM is a centralized service that can be outsourced or implemented in-house; in this blog, we will compare the two options to help you make the right decision.
What does it mean to have hard facilities management?
Hard facilities management includes the management of a building’s structures and infrastructure for its maintenance and repair. This can include:
- HVAC Systems: Making sure that heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems are in proper working order.
- Plumbing: Well-maintained mechanical systems that include plumbing to avoid system failure.
- Electrical Systems: Supervising matters related to electrical installations such as lighting installations, wiring systems, and power system installations.
- Fire Safety Systems: Fire alarms, sprinkler systems, and other safety-related apparatus such as lights, bulbs, etc.
- Elevators and Escalators: Making sure that lifts and escalators are functioning properly with no risk to the safety of the users.
The Benefits of Outsourcing Hard Facilities Management
Outsourcing hard FM can bring certain benefits that may be useful for any company and will help to avoid additional expenditure of time, money, and effort.
- Access to Expertise
To outsource your hard facilities management means to address experienced specialists who are up to date with all the novelties and tendencies in the sphere. These workers provide service that may be otherwise hard to source from within the organization. They also have knowledge of local laws and ordinances to maintain safe and legal practices and procedures. - Cost Savings
Having an internal facilities management team can be costly. The person would need to employ people, educate them, buy and maintain equipment, and cover other incidental expenses. Thus by outsourcing, you avoid incurring such costs; rather, you pay only for the services that you want and at the time wanted. This implication can lead to large multiples of cost savings in the long run. - Emphasis on the Central Business Processes
In hard FM outsourcing you get time and resources that you can very well use in your core business process. This provides your staff the opportunity to concentrate on growth and enhancing the sales experience as opposed to worrying about how the construction systems operate. - Improved Efficiency
A facilities management provider ensures that the various systems in your building are in perfect operational condition. With their knowledge, they are able to spot problems at preliminary stages, solving them before they complicate. Such measures can avoid unnecessary losses from subsequent downtimes for system repairs, as well as extend the necessary life cycle. - Scalability and Flexibility
Outsourcing is a valuable option because it offers a company the ability to adjust the volume of services received by the outsourcing company depending on the extent of the need or requirement. They can then adapt the services they can provide based on whether your business is growing or even in a shrinking phase.
Top Benefits of Centralizing Hard Facilities Management
Nonetheless, pretty as it is to outsource hard facilities management, it is also possible to find some benefits from doing it internally.
- Full Control
If you are managing hard FM internally, the organization possesses complete control of building maintenance. It involves budgets, staffing, and scheduling directly, and decisions can be made much more rapidly in many cases where required. Such a level of control may be useful in organizations that require an instant response to a particular problem. - 2. Customization
Internal staff should be aware of the particular construction and the installations, which means that the approaches to the task will be fully customizable. This can lead to a more encompassing solution and likely a more suitable service due to possibly unusual and extraordinary systems in your building. - Faster Response Times
When you have a team in your company, this means you don’t wait for an independent contractor. If, for instance, there is a calamity that affects your supply chain, your internal team can easily respond to it without necessarily causing a shutdown of your business. - Brand Alignment
In-house teams are direct employees of your business, so they probably care for your business ethos and aim more. This alignment co-creates a result of dedicated and loyal employees since they understand the values and standards of the company they work for.
Conclusion: Should It Be Outsourced or Done Internally?
Thus, there are pros to both outsourcing and retaining hard facilities management inside the company. In conclusion, it all depends on the size of your business, your capacity, as well as the intensity of the building systems.
Outsourcing may be the best option if you need specialized expertise in hard facilities management for cost savings and to reduce distractions from your core business. On the other hand, if you need power, personalization, and immediate response, it is better to keep it inside the company.
Here at Triple Trillium Facilities Management Services LLC, we offer hard facilities management that can help make your building as efficient as possible. If you are thinking of outsourcing your call center or you want us to help you develop your in-house call center, then we are here to assist you. Please feel free to contact us now to know how we can assist your business.