The power of the Internet is influencing the way facilities management is being conducted. More specifically, the use of e-commerce is just emerging but is growing rapidly, according to a recent survey. CRS Center, Texas A&M University, polled FMs from Fortune 500 companies and professional members of International Facility Management Association (IFMA) to discover who is using e-commerce, how they are using it, how effective its use has been, and what use patterns can be projected over the next two years.
Purchasing supplies and materials on the Web from a specific vendor tops the list as the most popular use. Fifty-five percent report purchasing through e-commerce, nearly 20% of that group say they purchase “a lot,” with the balance purchasing “some.” In two years, respondents expect an increase in purchasing from a specific vendor, swelling the number to 84%, with a shortening between “a lot” and “some.” Other popular uses of e-commerce are accessing facilities manuals (maintenance or training via the Internet); publishing static project information on the Internet, purchasing supplies and materials through an Internet service that connects buyers and sellers, and taking interactive training curses via the Internet.
The survey indicates that the use of B2B e-commerce is just emerging, with 5% report using it “a lot” to manage facilities. Its use varies considerably by IFMA industry groups. In the next 2 years, 4 of 10 will use it for purchasing, by far the most popular use of the Internet to date. About one quarter report that B2B e-commerce will change their facility management department “a lot” in the next 2 years. One quarter report that their biggest problem is integrating e-commerce with existing, legacy systems. Other barriers are difficulty in customizing software to meet needs, lack of budgets to invest in e-commerce, costly software upgrades; and high cost to keep building data current in facility management systems.
For ordering a copy of the survey report and for further information, contact International Facility Management Association.
