The BW Facility Management Conference and Excellence Awards features a thought-provoking panel discussion featuring notable leaders, sheds lights on Unlocking the potential of Smart Facilities Smarter Future by integrating data and connectivity.
The panel was chaired by Sunil Ralph, Sr. Vice President of Administration at JSW Steel. He shared an incident involving an EV bus, which initially appeared to be an accident but, after reviewing many onboard video recordings, was determined to be a suicide. Sunil Ralph stated, “Our fleet of 250 vehicles includes 75 EV buses and our organisation monitors fuel, routes and cameras remotely.”
“From my perspective, smart FM enhances the experiences of employees, functional leaders and organisations. Employees benefit from the ease of technology in everyday tasks, functional leaders enjoy more productive and informative reviews and organisations can effectively track ROI and measure investments,” Raghupathy Vaidyanathan, Associate Vice President – Global Workplace Solutions, HCL Tech, shared his experience on how smart FM impacts his organisation.
“As a wildlife photographer, I saw firsthand the benefits of electric mobility during a project with KPIT. We retrofitted a diesel bus into an electric one for a pilot in the Bandipur Tiger Reserve. The quietness of the electric vehicle allowed for closer wildlife encounters, reducing pollution and improving operational efficiency,” said Praveen Siddannavar, Sr. VP – Administration & Facility, Birlasoft.
Pranjal Saxena, Head of Administration, Kotak General Insurance, shared his opinion, “In the BFSI sector, smart FM offers controls and visibility. It helps in tracking expenses, managing branches and ATMs and ensuring operational efficiency. Implementing technology solutions provides control and visibility, essential for managing growing expenses and operational challenges.”
“Technology in FM focuses on cost control and energy savings. Over six years, I have saved Rs 1,100-1,200 crore for my organisation through energy-efficient solutions. Technology helps in adding value to the business, presenting measurable results to the CEO and fostering a collaborative relationship,” said Makarand Kulkarni, Business Head Facilities Former Reliance, Former Global Head Administration, Crompton Greaves.
Solomon Ellis, Head – Maintenance & Energy, Raymond, said, “Smart FM provides situational clarity and speed. Technology helps verify complaints and maintain operational efficiency. For instance, it reduced signage complaint resolution time from over 90 days to just 2 days, showcasing the power of technology in enhancing operational speed and clarity.”
“We focus on sustainability in FM, implementing technologies like smart sewage treatment plants, HVLX fans and atmospheric water generators. These initiatives reduce real estate space, operational costs and energy consumption, contributing significantly to sustainability and operational efficiency,” said Raghupathy Vaidyanathan.
“In our Pune campus, we installed solar panels, generating significant energy savings and reducing carbon footprints. We also implemented seamless transportation solutions, automating roster management and saving costs while enhancing employee experience with efficient travel arrangements,” said Praveen Siddannavar.
“We developed a tracker for asset lifecycle and maintenance, particularly for HVAC systems. This preventive maintenance calendar reduced energy spending by 25-30 per cent. By utilising existing technologies creatively, we solved problems cost-effectively and improved operational efficiency,” said Pranjal Saxena.
“Successful smart FM requires strong partnerships with service providers. Long-term, transparent relationships ensure that technology is effectively integrated and utilised. In my last assignment, a three-year contract with service partners proved crucial for achieving value creation and operational success,” said Makarand Kulkarni.
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