Abstract
I-FM Increasingly Demanded as Greater Business Efficiency is Expected
With the rise in competitiveness in the global markets, the demand for
integrated facility management (I-FM) has been driven by the increasing need
for greater business efficiency. I-FM companies are currently facing the
challenge of reducing customer misconceptions about non-core services. Despite
these misconceptions, many companies outsource their non-core activities to
promote greater flexibility for their core businesses. The transfer of risks
relating to non-core activities has been the most important trend in northern
Europe to drive the I-FM market in the past ten years.
This Frost & Sullivan research service presents market trends by end-user and
service type for the northern European integrated facility management market.
This study also includes revenue forecasts, insights into growing I-FM
services and competitive analysis of participants in these markets. In
addition, this study also presents drivers, restraints as well as industry
challenges and provides strategic recommendations to counter them.
The Need to Reduce Costs Hikes Demand for I-FM
"In both public and private sectors, money saving is an issue that companies
deal with by rationalising their costs," according to the analyst of the
study. "A direct result of this is that many companies favour the services of
'single-stop' providers rather than those of outsourcing companies, thus
enhancing demand for I-FM."
Increasingly knowledgeable end users demand better-quality services from I-FM
service providers. Professionalism from I-FM market participants not only
involves constant innovations and catering specifically to their clients'
expectations, but also an integration of their I-FM services.
Providing Better Services Likely to Win I-FM Service Providers Lion's Share of
the Markets
The best way to remain competitive in the I-FM markets is to constantly add
value to services. I-FM service providers aim to extend their service line by
searching for technological innovations in the field, providing transparency
in goals and strategies of contracts as well as ensuring better relationships
between contractors and customers.
"The success of leading I-FM participants in providing these value-added
elements has been instrumental in raising performance levels in the market and
enhancing the reputation of the industry," explains the analyst. "Customers'
awareness of price, quality, cost and time saving issues raises the bar
further for I-FM service providers, thus significantly improving the quality
of service and directly resulting in increased demand."