Tune in to FM seminar series from FSI: supplier performance / outsourcing among the topics

Online, June 9, 2010 (Newswire.com) - John Davis, Managing Director of Facilities Recruitment Limited (FRL), opened the morning proceedings with a discussion regarding the trends, challenges and solutions of FM Recruitment. FM is all-too-often seen as repairing draining and washroom facilities, when in reality FM encompasses the many components which comprise the management and maintenance of substantial buildings and property portfolios across the globe. FM, and more importantly, the people in FM, needs to be professionally branded to reflect the scale and enormity of the service. John called for FM to be better and properly represented at Board level, and for FM providers to brand and promote themselves in the industry.

Tim Winter, Head of Engineering at KPMG, provided his view of the FM industry; filling the gaps, focusing organisations at every level on client delivery, and making it successful. Tim closely and carefully measures the performance of the supplier chain used by KPMG, employing a team of Auditor's to check their performance and progress. Only when work is completed successfully and to the agreed Service Level Agreements (SLA's) and Key Performance Indicators (KPI's) will KPMG's suppliers be paid. This work ethic ensures KPMG's suppliers are motivated, driven to provide cost-controlled services of quality and efficiency.

Following the lunch and networking session, which also gave delegates the opportunity to view the Concept Evolution fully web-enabled CAFM solution from FSI, Bernard Crouch from BIFM London and Gunnersbury Consult opened the afternoon proceedings. Bernard discussed how the use of technology has affected and will impact flexible working in the FM arena. Using a selection of images taken through the ages, the presentation reflected the many and varied changes in the working environment.

Paul Crilly, Chief Executive of Reliance Facilities Management, argued that Tim Winter's work ethos of hiring Auditor's was a self-fulfilling prophecy, as they are sure to find fault with the system. Paul challenged the conventional wisdom and approach, on the processes utilised to meet and achieve Reliance's service delivery objectives, and whether or not there are alternatives. As a Service Provider, Reliance Facilities Management works towards providing a professionally managed, high quality planned maintenance service. Managerial, supervisory and operational staff is provided to ensure service is delivered in accordance with the specifications.

The event was rounded off with a lively Panel Question-and-Answer session.

As a Microsoft Gold partner, using the Microsoft London office for Tune in to FM was particularly appropriate, as FSI's latest CAFM solution, Concept Evolution, has been built using 100% Microsoft technology. Using the .NET architecture and modern design principles, FSI have produced a rich web line of business applications.