Facilities Manager's Desk Reference, 3rd Edition

27Information and Communications Technology

27.1 Introduction

Over the past 30 years, information and communications technology (ICT) has transformed how businesses are run, creating new challenges for FMs (facilities managers, or facilities management). One of the biggest areas of change has been telecommunications and information management technology. The technology has evolved from fixed assets (such as desktop telephones) to handheld portable address‐free devices (such as smartphones, which integrate voice and data into a single device).

With the rapid rate of change, an FM may be expected to manage both old and new technologies. The legacy technologies that an FM might need to manage are the structured wiring within a building and desktop telephone systems. The scope of technologies that the FM is required to support is constantly changing and growing in complexity. With advanced concepts and ideas becoming the norm within a very short time, the FM must strive to keep up to date. One of the biggest advances is wireless and cellular communication, which is fast replacing the traditional cabled infrastructures.

Factors to consider in the selection of a supplier of ICT systems are shown in Table 27.1.

27.2 Ownership options

As with most equipment, an organisation can choose to either buy an ICT system outright or lease the system. FMs may have to do a cost–benefit analysis, weighing up the advantages and disadvantages of leasing or owning the ICT system.

Table 27.1