2021-06-25

What a Facility Owner wants you to know

    I cannot count how many times I have spoken to the AEC industry on a perspective from the Owner's side. It is so important to have our voice heard, for design teams to learn from us as we learn from them and we meet together to create a sustainable lifecycle for our buildings and data.

    But with the last team who approached me, I was not sure what to present on, and the organizer, Karen Kensak, suggested something like Digital Twins. I was like, UGH not another shiny technology, when people do not even deliver what they are contracted for most of the time. 

    So... that became the topic of my conversation. They do not record their presentations, so I decided to record my own and post it, because it is a really important discussion. 

    Behind every technical analysis I have responded with over the years, is a disappointment that most design teams are not consistently meeting contracted requirements. 

    Yes, I lay plenty of blame on the Owner's side, from the PMs not understanding or caring to Finance closing out books and sending out final payments before requirements have been met... but just because someone lets you get away with something, does not mean you should.

    If you do not care to watch an entire video, and prefer podcasts instead, I did touch on some of the same topics (although a little less forthrightly) on an episode of BIMThoughts last year. After hearing the playback of that interview, I felt I should make a presentation addressing how I always dance around the real issue for us owners, but did not get around to it... until today.

    We have such passion and energy in our industry, among those of us who share knowledge. But not everyone is like us. They do not understand or do not care or have too many time pressures, whatever the issue is, if we close the loop, it will benefit all of us.

if you do not see a video embedded here, try switching your browser to "View Web Version" or click directly on this YouTube link

    Not only will it make the next renovation easier, faster, and cheaper for all parties involved, it should help our economy as a whole. As I refer back to (yet again) the NIST study that shows that there are billions of dollars of lost information in our industry every year, most of which is borne by the capital facilities portion, aka, our clients.

    I also mentioned in my talk, the article I wrote about the 'alphabet soup' of acronyms for FM, so here is the link: TLA/FLAs for FIM/IWMS



Facilities Management Q&A forum: https://www.augi.com/forums/forumdisp... Salary Survey 2021 https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2021AUGIsurvey Are you looking for a new job? https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2021JobSearch

2021-05-04

What's new in ARCHIBUS v26.1

In the past, ARCHIBUS has been on a longer release schedule, but they are currently putting out new versions quarterly, for their clients who choose a SaaS model.

I was able to join in on the most recent new features webcast, which was focused on user experience (UX) and return to work (RTW RTO).

Topics: 

  • Space Console: Query Search
  • Space Console: UX
  • Move Console: UX
  • ARCHIBUS Workplace: Accessibility
  • ARCHIBUS Workplace: Hoteling
  • Reports Central
  • Badging Connector and Report
  • Framework Controls: UX

Space Console: Query Search


 

Machine generated alternative text:
Space Console Query Search 
Designed to quickly 
search and access 
specific information 
Create a flexible 
query 
Locate employees, 
divisions/ 
departments, 
buildings, etc. 
Find employees in 
permanent or 
hoteling seats 
r 
Space Console 
Q 
Building - "NC05" AND Division LIKE 
BEDFORD - NC05 - TGD Technology center 
Floor 04 - NC05 - CORPORATE MGMT 
Organizations 
Room Categories 
Rooms 
Legend 
Division/Department 
[Unassigned] 
ADMIN SERVICES 
BUS DEVELOPMENT 
CORPORATE MGMT 
FACILITIES 
Area ft2 
15,437.85 
7,362.04 
5,294.82 
5,948.25 
2,991.54 
Rooms 
41 
35 
O Query 
)4 - Highlight Rooms By Divisions 
IEjLj Lj

 


 

The main strength of CAFM/IWMS/EAM systems is the data being in one place, and normalized. So all improvements into finding, querying, reporting on data get me really excited.


In addition to spaces, you can also find employees with this function, whether they are permanently assigned to a space or hoteling.

 

Ying Qin ran a demo of Space Console Query Search so we could see it in action.

There are three switches for this query feature:

  • Query
  • Employee
  • Quick Search

 

Machine generated alternative text:
Query

 

Query search is for a space manager who knows the data

Switch this dropdown to employee, to search for people (by employee ID or name)

Quick search is the 3rd option

 

Machine generated alternative text:
Category INCL ES C'office", 
- MET - Met Millimeters 
Floor 01 
Floor 03 
_ OFFICE 
_ OFFICE 
BEDFORD • AB • AB Building 
Floor 01 - OFFICE 
Floor 02 - OFFICE 
Floor 03 - OFFICE 
Floor 04 - OFFICE 
Floor 05 - OFFICE 
Floor 06 - OFFICE 
Z.'4'.UY

 

Can use 'contains' in the searches

Drill down into results and set room highlight types

 

Machine generated alternative text:
O 
SRL 07 
Employee 
Employees 
O selected 
Place in Waiting Room 
C) 
Employee Code 
CHAPMAN, ABBY 
SRL-07-707D 
unassign 
Organization 
OPERATIONS-LEADERSHIP 
707 
7070 
CHAPMAN, ABBY 
707C 
TANAKA, DANYEL

 

 

Machine generated alternative text:
Space Console 
Employees 
Employee Code 
ABBY 
SRL-07-Ä7D 
NCOS 02 
OPEMTONS-LEAOERSHEP 
ABBY MAN

Space Console: UX

 

Machine generated alternative text:
Space Console UX 
Designed to save time when 
navigating the Space Console 
Print floorplans without 
highlights 
Zoom while selecting 
employees or rooms 
Drag and drop employee 
names 
ell' 
NCOS 04. 
Highlight Rooms By Occupancy 
4571 
Sabrina Logan 
4602 
4572 
Kelly Grant 
Elise Hagen 
4574 
4570 
John Voss 
4569 
margaret cohen 
4575 
4STR1

 

Space Console User Interface improvements now include the ability to:

  • Can print blank floorplans with no highlights
  • When selecting employees or rooms, zooms in on results
  • Drag and Drop Employees (names and numbers)

 Move Console: UX


Machine generated alternative text:
Move Console UX 
Allow Move Coordinator 
Move Console 
Move List 
to speed work 
All Move Types 
Create Move Request in 
Configure Opti o ns 
Move Console 
Filter Moves on Division, 
Project Code, Name and 
Move Order 
aulL0'NG 
Move 
My Date 
> 
project Code 
Move Ord 
Requested (0/15) CJ 
Requested-Routed for App 
MOVE -JFK 2' 
Approved (O/S) 
Issued-In Process (0/20) 
Request an Employee Move 
Request a Group Move 
Request a Mcwe for a New Hire 
Request a Mue for an Employee Leaving 
an Equipment Move 
an Asset MOVE 
Request a Rc.rm Move 
EMPLOYEE TO MOVE 
project Status 
cv for Approval 
ing 
Department 
Qar 
Department 
Clear Cancel 
Department C Ode 
ro Date 
Project Name 
project Descrtgoon

 

Improvements include these abilities:

  • Can now create a move request from within the console
  • Can filter moves based on their Division, Project Code, Move Name and Move Order

ARCHIBUS Workplace Accessibility

 

Machine generated alternative text:
Archibus Workplace Accessibility 
0-00 AM - AM 
030 AM - 9m AM 
1100 AM - 11:30 AM 
2:00 PM • 2.30 PM 
2:30 PM • PM 
Roll out 
Workplace to all 
employees with 
confidence. 
WCAG 2.1 
Level A and 
AA Compliant 
I I AM 
Room 1118 
• I-soseaß 
Meeting Space Booking 
Input Meeting Info 
Recurrence Pattern 
Choose Meeting Time 
Start Date 
04/05/2021 
11:30 AM -12:m PM 
Duration 
9m AM. 9.30 
12:00 PM - 12:30 
PM • 3:30

 

Improvements to the Workspace App are summed up by:

  • Features for visual and hearing impairments
  • WCAG (web content accessible guidelines) 2.1
    • Level A compliant
    • Level AA Compliant

 ARCHIBUS Workplace Hoteling

Machine generated alternative text:
Archibus Workplace Hoteling 
Help keep employees safe while 
enhancing their desk booking 
Workspace Reservations 
experience 
Limit the number of days to book 
ahead 
Limit to all-day bookings only 
Enable a health check before 
checking in 
Book near a colleague; see who else 
has booked a desk while searching 
Workspace Booking 
TGD Technoiogy Center 
Select a workspace 
04/05/2021 
05 •a 
Fun day 
ENGINEERING - Floor 11 
Health Check 
Start d ate 
04/05/2021 
Check 
have not experienced any Of these symptoms in the past 48 
hours: 
• fever or chills 
• cough 
• shortness of breath or difficulty breathing 
• fatigue 
• muscle or body aches 
• headache 
• new loss Of taste or smell 
• sore throat 
• congestion or runny nose 
• nausea or vomiting 
• diarrhea 
• Unenclosed Workstation 
• 1 space

  • Ability to limit the booking window (application parameter)
  • Limit to all-day bookings (previous settings were morning / afternoon) (this application parameter is either/or, it cannot be utilized both ways)
  • Enable a healthcheck, with configurable text, prompt before booking is finalized. If you don't check in, the reservation will be released
  • Book near a colleague, because you can see who else has booked, during your search for a space

 ARCHIBUS Workplace UX

Machine generated alternative text:
Archibus Workplace UX 
Make as easy to use as 
possible 
Removed pins on floor plan 
during booking 
Removed room labels on 
floor plan during booking 
Workspace Booking 
05 
Workspace Booking 
Recu 
Starl Oate 
Fun Day 
Room Type 
Department 
9m - SOO PM 
AM . 1:00 PM

 

 

ARCHIBUS Workplace User Interface improvements make room selection less busy and easier to navigate

  • Removed pins on floor during booking
  • Removed room labels on the floorplan during booking

Reports Central

 

Machine generated alternative text:
r 
Q 
Building - "NC05" AND Division LIKE 
BEDFORD - NC05 - TGD Technology center 
Floor 04 - NC05 - CORPORATE MGMT

Machine generated alternative text:
Reports Central 
A Archibus 
Created to easily 
analyze the data you 
need to make 
informed decisions 
Create simple reports 
with charts 
Quickly tailor by 
filtering, selecting 
fields 
Publish and share 
reports with 
executives and peers 
Reports Central 
Tables Reports 
A" Work Requ•sts 
Arc hived Work Requests per Mon thJWeek 
Historical Work R •quests 
Work Assignments 
Request Labor Sync 
Historical Work Requests 
C) t Fields Addfilter Ld Chart Save O 
Filters 
Total Cost greater than 
Equ ipme nt Code IS not blank 
Work R" Code 
run emergency 
A Archibus 
Reports Central 
Code 
Ade 
Eqw Is 
Occupmcy by floor

 

Octavian ran through a demonstration so that we could see the reporting improvements in action.

 

Reports Central

  • Create simple reports, with charts
  • Quickly modify by filtering and selecting fields
  • Publish and share reports with others

 

This one excites me.

ARCHIBUS has always been my favorite CAFM platform, but it was a bit of a contrast when I began using FMInteract from FM:Systems because the reporting was so much easier to get going with. I literally had zero training and was able to get going with FMS / FMI reporting (to be fair, I had prior exposure to the slightly strange FMI database structure as an ARCHIBUS Solutions Architect performing data mapping for migrating clients, so that surely helped. It was very easy to get going with in reporting.).


These new changes look to be leveling the playing field a bit more with regard to the usability and lowers the barrier to entry in ARCHIBUS reporting.

 

Machine generated alternative text:
A Archibus 
Home 
Search 
Favorites 
Real property 
Capital Projects 
Space 
Assets 
Maintenance 
Sustainability & Riü 
Workplace Services 
Technologies 
System 
Reports Central 
Reports 
Tables 
Title 
Equip 
Equipment 
O Select Fields 
Filters 
Cost to Replace 
Building Code 
Equipment Code 
1001 
1002 
1003 
1005 
1006 
1007 
Y Add filter Chart 
Equipment Description 
Equipment Code 
Equipment Standard 
Fl Code 
•./ Save 
Employee Personal protective Equipment 
Equipment 
Equipment Asset Attributes 
Equipment Audit 
Equipment Counts by Standard 
Equipment Depreciation 
Equipment Inventory vs. Audit 
Equipment Inventory vs. Trial 
Equipment Parts 
Equipment Peripherals 
Equipment Ports 
Equipment Standard 
A-PC 
A-PC 
SUN 
SUN 
A-PC 
A. PC 
A-PC 
Filter 
Cost to Replace 
0.00 
0.00 
0.00 
coo 
o.cn 
Build 
xc 
xc 
xc

 

Machine generated alternative text:
Equipment 
@ Select Fields 
Filters 
Cost to Replace 
Building Code 
Floor Code 
Equipment Code 
2000000001 
2000000003 
2000000005 
2000000007 
2000000011 
2000000013 
2000000015 
2000000017 
2000000019 
2000000021 
2000000023 
Y Add filter 
Is greater than 
Chart 
Save 
Equals 
Equa 
Chart Options 
Chart Title• 
Equipment 
Categories' 
Budding Code 
Code 
Equ•ment Standard 
Floor Code 
A-SUN-COMPUTER 
A-STD-PC 
Building 
HQ 
HQ 
HQ 
Done 
Cancel 
2,000.00

 

They support 4 chart types currently, but will be adding more in future releases

Machine generated alternative text:
Chart Save 
Chart Options 
Bar Chart 
C umn Chart 
Li Chart 
Pie Chart 
18

 

  • Bar Chart
  • Column Chart
  • Line Chart 
  • Pie Chart

 

Machine generated alternative text:
I s greater than 
Equals 
Report Profile and Publishing 
Equa 
Title* 
to 
Equipment by Cost to Replace 
Description 
Equipment by Cost to Replace in Building HQ and 
Publish Report 
my report visible to others 
Application• 
Process or Role' 
Save

 

Then you can save your report, either privately or shared with your team. When you publish the report, you dictate the Application and Process or Role to store it as.

 

This reporting can be restricted or allowed by Role. The 'publish report' is not a PNAV (process navigator) item, it resides within the Reports Central Process, and published reports will only be visible to those with the assigned application/process/role dictated by the reports.

 

One limitation is that there is no support yet for math. No averages or sums are available, but they will be in a future release.

 

If you are a report designer, you can lock some of the filters, so the asset manager who receives the report cannot add a filter. Basically, there is control how much filtering the end user will have access to based on your target user role.

 

Since this is version 1 for this feature, ARCHIBUS would love to get user feedback on it to help inform future releases. If you do not know how to submit feedback, contact your ARCHIBUS Business Partner.


Access Monitoring: Badging Connector

 

Machine generated alternative text:
Access Monitoring (Badging Connector) 
Monitor capacity and 
social distancing 
compliance 
Import employee 
badge data 
Support contact 
tracing by 
tracking facility entry 
Monitor space access 
and utilization 
RCeSS 
5 
Floors 
1,652 
Seats 
99 
Assigned 
utilization 
Code: A 
Date 
202' 
78 
Seen(Daily, Avg.) 
Building Access Inrormation 
Cun ju •V N" 0 
ACKERMAN. 
5% 
Daily Utilization 
R TUV•e W"' VuZ'• 
Peak

 

 

Access Monitoring (Badging Connector), these features can help ensure social distancing compliance by monitoring the current capacity / occupancy of your space:

  • Imports employee badge data
  • Supports contract tracing by tracking entry to facilities
  • Monitors space utilization and access

As an aside: I have heard that this company, DLR group, is doing a lot of exciting data-centric forward-thinking work in the AECO industry re: IoT and IAQ, including not using badging or grid scans of occupancy scanners or other similar data sources for occupancy counts, but also using thermo data to detect changes in air temperature, indicating occupancy increases to unsafe levels. Neat stuff. 


Framework Controls: UX


Machine generated alternative text:
Framework Controls UX 
Designed to save time by 
allowing easy locating and 
uploading of items 
Update drawing control's 
toolbar icons 
Allow drag-and- 
dropping documents to the 
form's document field 
Highlight a selected tree node 
BOSMED 02 
Work Request 
More Information 
Simple Tree - Depe 
Department by Division 
ACCESSORIES Accessories 
• ADMN S E RV'CES Adm 
• ADMINISTRATION Administration 
• eun01NG svcs 
Bus DEVELOPMENT Business 
• WSMSS 
ADM N SVCS Ad m 
Finance 
c-HUMANITIES college Humanities 
C.MANAGEMENT College Management 
of sciences 
• CORPORATE "GMT Ma 
ELECTRONIC sys. Electron* systems 
• EXECUTIVE Executive 
Problem on 
• 227.298 
ELECTRONIC 
ENGINEERING 
oate 44-2021 
to m 
FURNITURE T

 

 

Framework Controls User Interface

  • Updated drawing control toolbar icons
  • Ability to drag and drop documents into the document field
  • Highlights in the tree which item you have selected

 

These changes apply across the product.


New Features and FAQ


There was a future features / backlog / roadmap portion of the presentation, but I will not be discussing that today, as it will be made public by ARCHIBUS at the appropriate time.

Likewise, I will not be sharing my notes and screenshots on the FAQ portion of the call, as much of that was regarding items currently in development which have not yet been released. Disappointing, as I have SOOOO many comments regardings some of them.


I always love new features, but, as someone supporting IWMS software, most of which is still (an average) of 60% customized, it does make me nervous. ;)




2021-02-20

How do you Erase?

The last team that I joined, I was asked to review their tutorials for common tasks and one of the things that I noted was that users were instructed to DELETE <ENTER> objects. 

When my coworkers would present, some of them would type ERASE <ENTER> and others would type E <ENTER> or click the Erase button on the Modify tab of the Ribbon.

Personally, I prefer to use the right-click menu or by using the Delete button on the keyboard.



I recorded a video to demonstrate different ways to erase an object, including through the Quad cursor menu. 



Nothing here is really earth-shattering, we all know how to delete objects in a CAD program. 

But it would be a good idea to sit down with your team and see if the way that they call common commands could be updated to be more efficient, or if you might want to update your training documents to save folks a few keystrokes.





If you want to try using BricsCAD, click here for more information.