The 4th edition of SMART Facilities Management Solutions Exhibition and 3rd edition of Facilities Management Conference 2017 concluded its run on 21 July at Sands Convention & Exhibition Centre, Singapore. There were key takeaways focusing on how the advent of SMART Technologies would impact and drive the industry to achieve greater asset enhancement in the competitive regional landscape.
Organised by Sphere Exhibits, a subsidiary of Singapore Press Holdings Limited (SPH), with strong support from key industry players across the region, the trade event is established as the region’s leading platform that integrates regional facilities management (FM) within the built environment sector with upcoming trends, features and key takeaways from experts both locally and internationally. SMART Facilities Management Solutions Exhibition garnered positive traction as over 1,000 attendees and delegates who experienced a sample showcase from some 20 of the upcoming and cutting-edge SMART technologies that are set to pave the way for the future of FM in Asia, from Australia, Dubai, Germany, Singapore and the USA.
Mr. Chua Wee Phong, Chairman of Sphere Exhibits Pte Ltd, said: “We are happy that both the trade exhibition and conference address the growing demand and importance for facilities management services across Asia. The world of facilities management is rapidly evolving with the advent of new technologies and smart building solutions and all aspects of security within this environment should not be undermined. We are certain that platforms such as SMART Facilities Management Solutions Conference & Exhibition remain essential to help spur the necessary and relevant dialogues for FM professionals in confronting and addressing the challenges ahead of them.”
Themed “SMART Facilities Management for Asset Enhancement in Asia” and co-located alongside the trade exhibition, the Facilities Management Conference was co-organised with Singapore Institute of Building Limited. Gathering some 160 delegates from Singapore and around the region, the two-day Conference provided insights into how facilities management can be transformed through the effective and productive use of resources and smart innovation to further enhance the assets belonging to each facility.
Delegates were exposed to key technologies and integrated smart solutions, and pondered over the delicate balance of human capital which is increasingly becoming an integral asset in a digitised and urbanised economy. Security played an important role in these discussions with the increase in disruptive technologies entering the FM marketplace.
Mr. Peter Chua, President of Singapore Institute of Building Limited, said: “Facilities Management Conference 2017 has, once again, provided an enriching platform which unites the regional FM sector whilst challenging the FM professionals to embrace the advent of digitisation. It has now become apparent and crucial for management of FM companies to change their mindsets as the focus shifts towards lean management, the employment of sound IT skills and the knowledge to focus on efficiency and outcome rather headcount. We are heartened to see many delegates engaging in meaningful exchanges of ideas over the two days. FM professionals should play a part to integrate and take home some useful knowledge that will make a difference in their work for the future.”
Echoing this sentiment on a global scale, the first instalment of a global white paper was released and launched at the Facilities Management Conference as part of a strategic collaboration with Frost & Sullivan. This paper expounds on eight key trends which are set to take Asia by storm over the near future until 2025 and outlines integral areas for facilities management organisations and professionals seeking guidance within this region.
Mr. Ravi Krishnaswamy, Senior Vice President of Frost & Sullivan’s Energy and Environment Practice says that: “We are glad that this white paper has been released in conjunction with the Facilities Management Conference organised by Sphere Exhibits. The contents of this white paper not only showcases the eight most significant trends that will define the future of FM in today’s market within Asia but also draws from experiences and trends from global market leaders.”
“This paper comes in a timely manner as the facilities management sector in the region grapples with challenges in balancing disruptive technologies with the necessary training needed to equip the professionals to excel in a sector that is experiencing an upward trend in years to come. We greatly appreciate the opportunity to work with Sphere Exhibits in this knowledge partnership for the recent Facilities Management Conference and look forward to future collaborations as part of our efforts to develop this industry sector.”
Professionals and industries need to keep abreast of the ongoing changes of the digital economy – even more so as complexity has grown at the same time in an integrated environment. The advent of many smart technologies does not mean that human capital will be compromised. In fact, talented professionals operating within the FM space are set to be in for a surprise if they are able to effectively harness the power of these technologies to improve their workspaces.
Mr. Roy Arindam, Vice President-Sales of Business Development at BuildingIQ, whose company exhibited at the SMART Facilities Management Solutions Exhibition commented that: “Data Sciences is a burgeoning technology that will remain increasingly essential in understanding operational efficiencies of any asset to improve capacity and ensure additional comfort to its occupants, whilst driving down energy consumption. We remain confident that the popularity of data sciences will be a key determinant in driving commissioning to harness data in the long term, as evidenced by the strong interest from visitors on the trade floor.”
In today’s interconnected era, it has become apparent that data is increasingly considered as an asset in its own right. Security for effective management of these assets with the facilities management sector is set to encapsulate and gain utmost importance as the barriers between physical and cyber security are blurred in today’s digital world. This forces both the security and facilities management professionals to re-evaluate the barriers that would ultimately offer the best protection and defense in the management of today’s assets, thus enhancing the value and importance of the role of the facilities management professional of today.
SMART Facilities Management Solutions Expo 2017 was supported by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Singapore Chapter; Association of Property & Facility Managers, Singapore (APFM); ASIS International Singapore Chapter; Building & Construction Authority (BCA); Building Owners and Managers Association, Indonesia (BOMA); Bung Hatta University; Chulalongkorn University; Frost & Sullivan; Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA); International Facilities Management Association (IFMA); The Infrastructure, Facility, Human Resource & Realty Association (INFHRA); Hong Kong and Singapore Chapters; IoT SG Meetup; JTC Corporation (JTC); Master Builders Association Malaysia (MBAM); Malaysia Association of Facilities Management (MAFM); Malaysia Robotics & Automation Society (MYRAS); National University of Singapore(NUS); Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS); Singapore Institute of Building Limited (SIBL); Singapore Green Building Council (SGBC); The Association of Thai ICT Industry (ATCI); The Infrastructure, Facility, Human Resource & Realty Association (INFHRA); The Waste Management & Recycling Association of Singapore (WMRAS), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, (UTM); Vietnam Electronic Industries Association (VEIA); Vietnam Federation of Civil Engineering Association (VFCEA); and Vietnam Association of Civil Engineering Environment (VACEE).
For more information, please visit http://www.fmse.com.sg/.
About SMART Facilities Management Solutions Conference & Exhibition 2017
SMART Facilities Management Solutions Conference & Exhibition 2017 provides an arena for suppliers, end users and professionals to network, exchange knowledge, share best practices and stay updated on the latest industry needs for future readiness, advice on all aspects of the aftercare and maintenance of facilities, and background in design and construction for better integration.
Themed ‘SMART Facilities Management for Asset Enhancement in Asia’, the 3rd edition of Facilities Management Conference has been established as the cornerstone in identifying regional opportunities, challenges for professionals in asset management and the built environment sector and aims to address key concerns towards the challenges facing facilities managers today, as well as the future of SMART facilities management and planning. This conference aims to equip delegates with the tools and information to remain secure. Delegates attending the conferences will be entitled to industry points to empower them further in the industry.
About Sphere Exhibits Pte Ltd
A wholly owned subsidiary of Singapore Press Holdings (SPH), Exhibits, which stands for “SPH Events, Roadshows and Exhibitions”, aims to be the leading events company catering to a diverse mix of trade and consumer clientele. Backed by a committed and experienced team of professionals and SPH’s comprehensive range of media platforms, Exhibits’ shows, events and exhibitions centre on unique concepts that attract local audiences and regional participants. Among the 20 Sphere Exhibits’ events are The IT Show, COMEX, Licence2Play, Asian Masters and Kidz Academy. Leveraging on its expertise in event conceptualisation, planning and execution, Sphere Exhibits delivers memorable and quality events that meet the objectives of its clientele and partners.
About Singapore Press Holdings Ltd
Incorporated in 1984, main board-listed Singapore Press Holdings Ltd (SPH) is Asia’s leading media organisation, engaging minds and enriching lives across multiple languages and platforms, ranging from print, digital, radio and out-of-home media.
SPH owns award-winning newspapers, magazines and best-selling books in both print and digital editions, as well as online classified businesses in the region. In addition, SPH has two English radio stations and one Chinese radio station, an out-of-home digital advertising unit, a regional events and conferences arm, and runs a chain of modern retail convenience stores. SPH also has a 20 per cent stake in MediaCorp TV Holdings Pte Ltd, which operates free-to-air channels 5, 8 and U, and a 40 per cent stake in MediaCorp Press Limited, which publishes the free newspaper, Today.
SPH REIT comprises Paragon, a premier upscale retail mall and medical suite/office property in Orchard Road and The Clementi Mall, a mid-market suburban mall. SPH’s latest retail development is The Seletar Mall located in Sengkang.
SPH is in the healthcare sector, operating private nursing homes under Orange Valley.
For more information, please visit www.sph.com.sg
