Entries for the 2008 Award again provided strong evidence of continued rapid development in technology use in FM.

Three companies were shortlisted this year: OCS, PeopleCube, Jones Lang LaSalle.

Commenting on all three entries, the judges said: "It was impressive to see these effective and well thought out responses to some of the most common – yet difficult - facilities management challenges: management of resources, risk and compliance. Each solution has found success in application, delivering real benefits that underpin a commitment to continued development in each case."
 

Winner - OCS Window Cleaning

As a major provider of window cleaning services, OCS has always been concerned with questions of safety and the best ways to control the risks associated with work onsite.

Two years ago, the company embarked on a project to develop a system that would capture all relevant safety information and ensure that OCS staff understand and adhere to the rules in place. The new 'Barton' system was designed and built in-house by a specialist workgroup, based on a proven handheld computer platform.

Barton draws information from a central management system and presents it on a PDA. Key parameters were designed around the components of the traditional workbill, but because this is delivered electronically, it can be supplemented with various health & safety 'gateways', including requirements for vehicle and equipment checks, risk assessments and method statements. Also required are site safety checks and sign-offs from both OCS staff and client representatives. The system additionally provides the opportunity to record any changes or emerging issues that have been identified while staff are onsite.

Designed principally to drive health & safety compliance, Barton has the added benefits of reducing paperwork and delivering accurate, up-to-date management information, opening up the scope for wider application.

The judges were particularly impressed by the fact that OCS had created its own solution, having found nothing suitable on the market, and that that solution was straightforward, effective and relevant to other businesses within the group

For more information about OCS

Finalist - PeopleCube

For its partnership with BT Workstyle to provide a turn-key solution enabling clients to make real-time bookings for workplace resources such as desks, offices and meeting rooms whilst also giving property managers access to data and reports on actual demand.

For more information about PeopleCube
 

Finalist - Jones Lang Lasalle

For its 'Risk Smasher Active', a bespoke platform for health, safety and environmental management that supports effective management processes, rather than taking them over, by ensuring data transparency on a range of reporting criteria.

For more information about

Jones Lang LaSalle

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