FMJ Facilities Management magazine providing industry-specific intelligence to FM and property professionals
FUTURE
Alongside a range of tech, including WasteWatch, ‘click and collect’ and a fleet of cobotic cleaners, Haley foresees an increase in the role of AI in the delivery of services. Sodexo has piloted Onward Care, which it has developed in partnership with Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust. The non-clinical remote monitoring service uses AI combined with people delivered care for frail patients returning home after a hospital stay, providing crucial support at home which reduces the likelihood of further unplanned hospital readmissions.
The service uses sensors attached to kettles and fridges to identify changes in movement around the house, which is then used by the non-clinical Onward Care team to support by telephone and/or in person. The service which has now been running for 12 months has reduced readmissions by a significant 77 per cent for the cohort under care by the Sodexo team.
“This kind of technology,” says Haley, “used in a sensible way and allowing for data protection could collect data that allows you to truly understand not just how your workspace is being utilised but how your employees are feeling. It enables the technology to help understand not just the asset but the people within the asset.
“I believe this kind of investment is crucial to organisations going forward. We all understand that mental health and people’s wellbeing is critical to the success of any business. So therefore, finding ways to understand that and utilising analytics that allow you to do that is important.
“Terminology is important, as we talk less about FM and more about experiencing the workplace environment. For too long people have boxed FM off as managing the air conditioning or making sure the workplace is clean. All those things are important but the critical thing is the experience that individuals are having that increase their wellbeing and productivity.
“Never forget the relevance of our industry in driving growth in our economy it’s a huge contributor. If there’s one thing our country needs, it is to find a way to grow and food and workplace services are a big part of that.”
