Software as a Service, but highlight the Service!

Software as a Service (SaaS) is a term that many companies are beginning to embrace and also utilize as a way to reduce internal IT costs and support. The software is not purchased, but 'leased' and used in the cloud (on the web). CollectiveView's robust CAFM software has always been web-based and not needed an IT department to support the application. CollectiveView has been providing these services to corporations for 11 plus years.
The aspect of Service, really was amplified by one of our call center operators, Tara when she answered a transferred call from one of our clients main switchboard. On the other end of the phone, a woman who had fallen, could not get up, was in a great deal of pain and calling to find her husband, who was an employee and currently in a training class. Presumably, cell phones were prohibited in the class and were shut off.
Tara responded to the request of 'please find my husband' by contacting the on-site security team and insisting they track down the training class and find the woman's husband....immediately! Tara returned to the helpless woman on the other line and asked if she would like her to remain on the phone until her husband called..."yes please". It was a period of 3-5 minutes in which Tara talked to her about where they lived, what type of dogs they had, how long her and her husband had been married, etc. Anything to keep the woman calm and assured that help was on the way.
Security was able to locate her husband in the training class and her husband was rushing to his office to call her immediately. Tara switched phone lines again to let her know that her husband would be calling momentarily and wished her well. End of story?
NO, Tara followed up the following week to discover that the woman had broken both of her ankles when she had fallen. The employee (husband) added CollectiveView's helpline phone number to his home phone, cell phone and office phone. In addition, his wife, talked with Tara and thanked her for the calming conversation, pleasant demeanor and helpfulness of her actions from the past week.
How does that incident highlight Software as a Service? It shows that CollectiveView's service whether it is processing online work orders, executed a move-add-change or updating a floor plan; Service is helping the people that use the software and the employees that make up CollectiveView as a company.
Thank you Tara for your above and beyond service to our client and their family members!

Accounting Changes are affecting Leasing rules

Companies are either not addressing or are totally confused about the new accounting regulations as it pertains to leased assets. Leased copiers, leased vehicles and leased properties are all subject to new accounting standards and regulations. And, oh by the way, the regulations are starting in less than two years! Remember Y2K, the lead time and the preparation for that non-event? Unlike Y2K, this event is real--it is Y2K for accounting departments.
The new accounting standards are an effort to have one universal accounting principle worldwide. The US has been using Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) standards and the Europeans have been using International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) for company valuation, balance sheet assets and income statements. The major difference between the two principles is how GAAP measures whether an asset is used for investment or for business purposes and the useful life of the leased assets. This, of course, is a general over-simplification of the changes and I have included a link to a white paper written by Deloitte & Touche US LLP. http://www.iasplus.com/usa/0810ifrsrealestate.pdf
The big concern for companies is to be proactive in this change and not reactionary to regulation compliance. Collectiveview's leasing module within it's Integrated Workplace Management Software (IWMS) can help companies mine the data necessary for CFO's to transition to the new standards.

How to Decide if Software is Worth Trying

Many organizations weigh the options, do we adopt new technology or do we continue using the same tools that 'work'? There is a big risk in trying new technology. Here are some questions that need to be asked (and answered) before organizations embark on the journey.

1. How does this solution fit into my existing environment?
2. What is the business benefit (even if there is not a way to calculate ROI)?
3. What are the risks?
4. Can I explain my reasons and benefits to the C-level executives in 30 seconds?
5. Do I know who will use it?
6. Can I test it without disruption and without spending lots of time and money?
7. Is the vendor stable?
8. Will this solution scale within the organization?
9. Does my staff have the knowledge to use and manage it?
10. How will this technology affect my clients/customers/employees and vendors?

(Questions taken from CIO magazine)

Facility managers need to understand that C-level executives will be asking these questions, and in order for an implementation to be a complete success, typically everyone needs to buy into the solution. FM's should ask the questions before they hit the elevator button for the upper floors.

Better yet, have their vendor, answer the questions for them.

Preparing and Explaining Executive Management Reports On-call

Preparing, understanding, and explaining reports are one of the mainstays of a facilities manager’s life; therefore, any Facilities Management software solution should have canned, dynamic reports that show industry-standard information in detailed and summary format. A good system will have user-definable reports; a great system will have reports with graphics that don't require downloading to another software program and building yourself. A truly leading-edge system will have Web-configurable reports with dashboard graphics at the touch of a button. That’s about as close as you can get to the reports building themselves.

Removing the Guestimate from your Forecast

Accurate forecasting is one of the greatest challenges to facility managers and one of the most important reports to deliver to senior-level management. Yet the system of forecasting is usually a scramble between the hours to get the drawings updated, putting benchmarks in place, the e-mails to and from (with spotty responses) your department heads and floor coordinators, and the "guestimates" as to how many people the department will hire next year. With a SaaS Facilities Management solution that builds the forecasting model into the day-to-day process, you can take the guesswork and weekends out of forecasting and provide your executive team with an accurate, actionable forecast. Looks like you’re gonna get a big ol bear hug from the boss soon!

Gain Access to Accurate Facilities Data

Are you using a “home grown” Access database, Excel spreadsheets, or desktop software solution for your facilities management needs? The trouble with these “solutions” is that information is scattered and it's very complicated (if at all possible) to import and edit data. Thus our mantra: If your system is not easy to update, it's not likely to be up-to-date. The main advantage of a SaaS facilities management solution is that these programs connect to the data you need such as, personnel data (HR), IT information (Jack or Asset), or financial lease data to update your system. These updates can be scheduled to run automatically after-hours, enabling you to have the most complete information first thing in the morning. And as they say: as your morning, as your day. So, why not try sipping your java with an accurate data report?

AutoCAD Refresher course, again? Maybe Not.

Let’s be honest, AutoCAD is a complicated program to use. A lot of facilities management systems were designed as "visual databases," meaning they require the user to interact in the CAD system for nearly everything they need to update with regards to space. This is what we call the AutoCAD trap. We believe this is a mistake since the average person is used to inputting data in spreadsheet format (Access or Excel) or form format (i.e. Amazon.com). Top-notch Facilities Management software solutions present the user with familiar looking queues and forms to update information and store only polygons representing space within AutoCAD. To borrow a line from that famous office supply store, “Now that was easy!”