By: Jaya Devi Anathan, Liyana Mohamed Yusof, Rahimi A. Rahman

Faculty of Civil Engineering Technology, Universiti Malaysia Pahang, Gambang 26300, Malaysia.

Getting Started

A technological revolution is sweeping through the building industry, touching both government institutions and the private sector. The star of the show? The Internet of Things (IoT) is a transformative trend that's shaking up the very foundations of how we manage buildings. It is more than just a fad – it is a pivotal moment in reshaping the operational landscape of structures, and it is all thanks to the ingenious integration of IoT components by Facility Management (FM).

Empowering Tomorrow's Buildings: Unleashing the IoT Revolution in Facility Management

The modern world is witnessing a remarkable technological revolution that is reshaping the way we manage buildings. At the forefront of this revolution is the Internet of Things (IoT), a trend transforming facility management (FM) in government institutions and the private sector. This article explores the impacts and strategies of IoT in facility management, shedding light on its potential to revolutionise building operations.

Picture the conventional process of managing buildings—a time-consuming endeavour involving manual tasks and computations. The IoT steps onto this stage with its ingenious architecture, granting every object backstage access to a symposium of data exchange. This connectivity leads to revolutionary advancements in building operations, redefining the way resources are managed and utilised.

Globally, this shift is embraced with enthusiasm. China, for instance, leads the way by integrating IoT into FM, generating impressive outcomes. Beyond data collection, this synergy of design, tech, and production boosts precision, accelerates production, and enhances monitoring. Delivery times and costs are slashed while staff activity and equipment data are harnessed, cutting costs by 5%.

Building development has surged in recent years, particularly in purpose-built office spaces for private and public sectors, marking a shift towards modernisation. Malaysia stands at the forefront of this trend, advocating green technologies in offices and anticipating substantial growth by 2023. The roadmap encompasses improved building specifications, health and safety prioritisation, and flexible lease terms. This paves the way for smart buildings, where advanced automation systems optimise operations and offer occupants security, comfort, and satisfaction.

In conclusion, the IoT is not just a trend—it is a revolutionary force. It is reshaping buildings into intelligent, efficient, and sustainable hubs that meet our needs while safeguarding the planet. The question is not whether to adopt IoT in building management—it is about how quickly we can embrace innovation and ensure a brighter, smarter future for our built environment.

Malaysia's Dynamic Policy Evolution in the Face of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR)

Amid Malaysia’s evolving journey, a transformative narrative emerged in response to the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). From 2013 to 2021, the nation has embarked on a dynamic policy trajectory aimed at leveraging the potential of 4IR. Collaborations with stakeholders spanning ministries, agencies, state governments, and private sector entities—technology and manufacturing businesses—form the foundation of this endeavour. This cooperative drive is facilitated through strategic meetings, exhaustive surveys, and immersive workshops, culminating in a comprehensive framework.

The culmination of this journey arrives with the unveiling of the National Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) Policy on June 1, 2021. This symphony harmonises with the Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint, launched on February 19, 2021. Both policies share a common goal: to stimulate innovation and responsible engagement with 4IR technologies. While the National 4IR Policy guides socio-economic transformation, the Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint sets the stage for digitalisation, uniting various societal segments.

At the heart of the National 4IR Policy lies a strategic framework designed to leverage the benefits of 4IR technologies and address associated risks and impacts. This ongoing effort has been evolving since 2013, culminating in the policy's unveiling in 2021.

As the policy unfolds, Malaysia's global competitiveness ranking also resonates. The IMD World Competitiveness Booklet (2022) records a journey from 27th in 2020 to 25th in 2021, finally reaching 32nd in 2022 among 63 economies. This shift of 7 positions over three years embodies a change, resonating with a score of 68.79 out of 100. This ranking reflects Malaysia's digital technology adoption, developmental progress, and productivity across sectors on a global scale.

Within this context, Malaysia faces the imperative of harnessing the potential of 4IR to boost competitiveness and drive societal progress. Nevertheless, the journey from awareness to proficient technology implementation, particularly IoT, remains ongoing. This trajectory diverges from the ambitious goals set in the National IoT Strategic Roadmap 2015, envisioning Malaysia as a regional IoT hub for economic growth.

In response, Malaysia must proactively promote advanced technology adoption while nurturing existing technologies within the startup ecosystem. This joint effort promises a broader talent pool, heightened economic standing, and accelerated national progress. The crucial now is about something other than knowing benefit, adoption or the implementation since it has been addressed and detailed in our policy. Hence, focus on impacts and further strategies that help the FM teams from feeling insecure and threatened to embrace and exploit when adopting IoT and trust technology.

Moving Towards a Transformed Future: Navigating the Impact of IoT

As we journey towards a technologically evolved future, the insights uncovered in this study hold the potential to reshape the path ahead. By understanding the effects of the IoT on FM, we gain a compass that guides management decisions. It's not just about understanding but it's about using IoT to create initiatives that align with employee well-being, environmental concerns, and building performance.This understanding indirectly streamlines operations within FM teams. By managing the impacts uncovered through strategic planning, FM roles become more productive and harmonious.

Malaysia's technological growth is at a crossroads, with rankings on global indexes reflecting a middling position. The discussion about IoT's impact on FM has become crucial as we navigate economic growth and technological advancements. What emerges from this study is a revelation—a spotlight on the very impacts that hinder FM teams from fully embracing IoT's capabilities within building operations. The intricate facets of efficiency harnessed through IoT are illuminated through this research.

Ultimately, this journey signifies more than research—it signifies transformation. The impacts uncovered will serve as catalysts for FM teams to usher in a new era of efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and adaptability. As we steer towards the horizon of progress, this becomes a cornerstone, paving the way for a future where IoT's impacts are harnessed to their fullest potential.

References

•           IMD World Competitiveness Booklet 2022. (2022a). https://worldcompetitiveness.imd.org/
•           GSMA Internet of Thing Report. (2018).
•           National Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) Policy. (2021).