No matter what you do for a living, achieving success is all about having the right tools to get the job done. In many fields, these tools of the trade are intuitive software packages tailor-made to industry-specific needs. These packages can often be used interchangeably, with little difference in functionality between brands. But most often facility condition assessment software isn’t “one size fits all.” The buildings assessed by these programs can vary greatly, from office towers to aquariums. AEC firms need adaptive tools that can effectively assess a variety of different portfolios.

Here are a few of the reasons why facility condition assessment software matters, and how to find a software package that works for you.

What Features Should Effective Facility Condition Assessment Software Have?

Not all facility condition assessment software is created equal. Some programs are only designed to handle certain property types. Others don’t have the flexibility to handle the high demands of your business. The right software will meet a few unique standards for your firm:

Business Process Support

The way you manage data and facility assessments is structurally unique to your firm. You may need high-level automation of planning, deployment and performance tasks. Mobile deployment may be crucial for real estate executives on the road. You may have specific requirements for reporting time management, accuracy and compliance.

Your software should be able to keep up with your complex workflows. 4tell™’s Facility Condition Assessment Software can allow you to automate reporting, expedite in-field data capture and much more.

Flexibility & Configuration

Many facility condition assessment software programs have little room for configuration or flexibility. But real estate firms that manage aquariums will have different needs from those that manage banks or retail businesses. The logistical and structural needs of a property with large tanks of water and live animals will obviously be different from those of a standard office or residential tower. And with unique property types comes the demand for adaptive software.

4tell™ is fully configurable. It can be adjusted to mirror your building type, professional standards and other requirements. Forget about standardized drop-down menus and limited asset management. With 4tell™, you’ll have the ability to capture the unique functionality of your portfolio.

Standardization

When multiple people are collecting data over time, it can quickly become inconsistent. Some facility condition assessment software has large areas for freeform text. Searching for specific keywords or trends becomes a very manual process. This makes it difficult to compare data over time.

To avoid that problem, look for software that relies instead on pre-populated drop-down menus based on building type and asset. This will ensure data standardization and that the report generated will be the same, no matter who the assessor is. It will also make it much easier to compare data between buildings and over time.

Data Sharing

A program should allow for easy data transfer to a central database. This allows you to make comparisons across various properties. It also allows for more streamlined delivery and presentation of the data to clients, and improves QA and QC processes. It has to be easy to use with little room for user error and user interpretation.

Again, consider the needs of a company that operates a chain of aquariums. They would need to collect and centralize data from across the country on facility temperatures, humidity, water usage and more. This data would be critical for accurate comparisons between facilities.

With centralized data, each member of your team will be able to access the information. This will allow them to use it to make informed business decisions in their respective departments.

Choosing the right facility condition assessment software can be a challenge. But if you opt for a program with flexibility, process support and standardized data, you can ensure that your software increases your margins and keeps your firm running efficiently.

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