February 6, 2004—Four winners were selected for the 2003 FM Innovation Awards including FSI (FM Solutions Ltd) which took the overall award for its CAFM software developed especially for the visually impaired.
The awards were organized by Forum Events in conjunction with FMJ Magazine, sponsored by the FMA and IFMA UK and presented at the Belton Woods Hotel in Grantham last month.
The awards program was initiated to recognize and promote the contribution that FM suppliers and service partners make to the progress and development of the industry and the profession.
The entries were assessed by a team of thirteen client representatives although the twelve award categories initially planned were reduced to four as fewer entries were received than anticipated.
The winners were:
- Most Innovative Product or Service in Building & Support Services Total Facilities Services Ltd.—Predictor Conditioning Monitored Maintenance
- Most Innovative Product or Service in Business Protection Wellness Management—Wellness Coaching Programme.
- Most Innovative Product or Service in FM related IT. FSI—Concept CAFM Software for the visually impaired.
- Most Innovative Product or Service in Integrated Facilities Management Coflex—Business Solutions
The judges choice for the ultimate award for FM Innovation 2003 was the software for the visually impaired developed by FSI (FM Solutions Ltd).
“They started from a client-centered, can-do attitude to explore and develop ways to ensure that a visually impaired person is able to use their software. The project involved re-writing screen displays to accommodate more easily recognizable shapes, colors and screen locations, and also the integration of voice-prompts on drop-down picklists to help with data confirmation.
“This was a smart application of IT solutions to ensure that all employees can be included as a business develops, something the FM profession should hold dear as one of its imperatives. Although developed for a specific case of visual impairment, the principles can be applied widely. The judges felt that the FSI approach can alter the mind-set of employers.”
—Richard Byatt
Reprinted with permission; copyright 2004 i-FM
