IWMS+

In April of this year, Spacewell introduced the concept of “IWMS+” in an article we wrote for The Real Deal. Based on conversations we’ve had since then, we wanted to elaborate on what we mean by the term and how the combination of a traditional IWMS with IoT sensor technology can generate both short- and long-term benefits for companies. This inaugural post launches the series by defining the term; the remainder of the series will focus predominantly on use cases and the value of IWMS+.

The meaning of IWMS+

In our article, we refer to IWMS+ as “the software backbone of the future.” IWMS+ combines the power of an integrated workplace management system (IWMS) with Smart Buildings technology in a way that augments both of those distinct software categories.

As defined by Gartner, which coined the term, an IWMS is a software platform that provides management functionality across capital projects, real estate portfolios, space and facilities, maintenance, and sustainability and energy management. IWMS software is a mature technology that provides extensive and essential support to facilities managers, building users, and service providers.

Smart Buildings software is a newer technology that leverages the explosion of Internet of Things (IoT) sensors and data to provide real-time analytics about buildings, from utilization to comfort levels. Smart Buildings technology can be invaluable in planning office redesigns, as it allows building owners to identify how much space and what kind of space they really need.

IWMS+ technology integrates the two software platforms to make the IWMS function smarter and lets the Smart Buildings solution drive greater behavioral changes and other performance improvements. The result, we argue, is that IWMS+ is greater than the sum of its parts. Why is this the case? Because both types of software platforms thrive on high-quality data, whether that’s IoT sensor data or embedded BIM/rich asset data. By integrating across the two systems, IWMS+ is able to access more high-quality, real-time data than either system would be able to do individually and deliver those insights across business silos and user types. Effectively, an IWMS+ is a type of digital twin for workplaces.

A roadmap of our blog series

How IWMS and Smart Building technologies complement each other will vary by application, but those applications are remarkably varied, including most recently with their ability to undergird post-pandemic office solutions. In our forthcoming series, some of the topics we intend to cover include:

1. Smart Cleaning
2. Smart Room Reservations
3. Smart Workspace Management
4. Smart Space Planning

Are there any applications you would be particularly interested in hearing about? Contact me here to propose features for our blog series or for more information about Spacewell’s IWMS+ solutions.