Digitalization in facility management

Facility management is undergoing a digital transformation, shifting from manual processes toward data-driven strategies to improve operational efficiency and sustainability.

Initial trends highlight the potential for optimizing high-resource areas, such as commercial kitchens, which often lack the real-time automation found in other building systems. The International Facility Management Association’s 2026 report notes that rising energy costs are a primary challenge for one in five managers, suggesting that digitalization could reduce costs related to food waste, labor, and energy.

In Canada, the sector is increasingly integrating smart technologies to manage diverse sites. This includes the use of Building Management Systems (BMS) for centralized control of HVAC and lighting, as well as energy monitoring platforms to track electricity, gas, and water usage. The adoption of Internet of Things (IoT) technology, such as smart sensors, provides real-time insights into air quality, occupancy, and temperature. To manage these complexities, organizations are moving toward centralized facility management software to optimize assets, space, and workforce operations.