Insights: Step into the age of digital operations and management

In the age of digital transformation, operations and management (O&M) is in the middle of unprecedented change.

Today, advanced sensors enable assets to ‘speak’, informing operators when they need maintenance, how to optimise their performance, and how to reduce customers’ carbon footprint.

These advances herald the advent of digital O&M, a novel facility management (FM) approach that embraces data-driven decision-making.
Digital O&M caters to modern demands for exceptional customer experience while simultaneously reducing costs and minimising their environmental impact in a fast-paced and competitive business landscape.

Traditional approaches to O&M assets are no longer sufficient to meet modern challenges. The need of the hour is a paradigm shift in managing and maintaining physical assets. This is where digital O&M excels.

The technology leverages advanced data management technologies, such as cloud computing, Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), to transform the way organisations operate and maintain their assets.

Digital O&M platforms provide real-time insights into asset performance by harnessing the power of data from connected assets, enabling proactive maintenance, optimised resource allocation, and data-driven decision-making.

Key focus

One of the pivotal aspects of digital O&M is its ability to support an industrialized operating model and enable new innovative solutions offerings.

Through the utilisation of fault detection and diagnostics (FDD), AI-driven predictive maintenance algorithms, and service management modules, digital O&M empowers organisations to transition from reactive, break-fix maintenance approaches to predictive and proactive strategies.

This shift reduces downtime, extends asset lifespans, and optimises maintenance hours and human resources, resulting in significant cost savings.

Moreover, digital O&M platforms offer a comprehensive suite of capabilities that address various facets of asset management.

Equipment and space monitoring provides real-time visibility into the health and performance of technical assets, enabling proactive maintenance and efficient control of processes. Additionally, energy performance modules deliver granular insights into energy consumption and production, facilitating energy performance analysis and optimisation.

Meanwhile, service management functionalities streamline service requests and on-site operations, acting as a centralised hub for efficient maintenance management.

The benefits of embracing digital O&M are far-reaching and compelling. Organisations can expect 5-15 per cent guaranteed energy savings by implementing asset analytics and energy optimisation strategies.

Deploying condition-based maintenance and optimising maintenance schedules based on real-time data leads to significant operational savings. Furthermore, digital O&M enables organisations to reduce their carbon footprint, enhance operational efficiency, and improve service quality, all while requiring no upfront capital expenditure.

In a world increasingly focused on sustainability and environmental responsibility, intelligent O&M approaches offer a path forward for organisations to align their asset management practices with these goals.

By leveraging data-driven insights and innovative technologies, companies can reduce their energy consumption and carbon emissions and contribute to the global effort to combat climate change.

A crucial component of digital O&M is computer-aided facilities management (CAFM).

Harnessing tech tools for operations and management

CAFM systems harness the power of sophisticated software and tools to revolutionise the management of various facets of a facility, including space utilisation, maintenance schedules, and asset lifecycle management.

By implementing CAFM, organisations gain unparalleled, real-time insights into their facilities’ operations, empowering them to make informed, data-driven decisions and proactively tackle potential challenges before they escalate. This not only optimises operational efficiency but also contributes to significant reductions in energy consumption and associated costs.

Consequently, organisations that embrace CAFM as an integral part of their digital O&M strategy can unlock remarkable improvements in efficiency, sustainability, and cost savings, cementing their position as trailblazers in their respective industries.

However, embracing digital O&M is not without its challenges. Organisations must navigate the complexities of data integration, cybersecurity, and change management. It requires a strategic approach, a clear roadmap, and a commitment to digital transformation.

But the rewards are well worth the effort. By investing in digital O&M, organisations can future-proof their asset management practices, unlock new growth opportunities, and position themselves as leaders in their respective industries.

Adopting digital O&M is not just a trend but a necessity for organisations seeking to remain competitive and thrive.

As the industrial landscape continues to evolve and customer expectations rise, the ability to harness the power of data and technology will be a key differentiator.

Digital O&M provides a proven, scalable, and sustainable solution that enables organisations to optimise their asset operations, reduce costs, and drive continuous improvement.

The writer is the UAE general manager at ENGIE Solutions.