The Risk of Using IWMS and CAFM for Corporate Moves

For Facilities Managers, programs like IWMS (Integrated Workplace Management System) and CAFM (Computer Aided Facilities Management) are often essential tools for maintaining daily operations. These systems are great for visualization and task management for your current space, but trying to use them to manage your corporate relocation becomes a real struggle.

The truth is, when planning a project as multifaceted as your company’s move, IWMS and CAFM systems are only as helpful as the data you have input into the program. Offices in your building could be relatively standard, but there are countless small variations to each employee’s individual setup. Unless you’ve spent an inordinate amount of time cataloging each configuration, odds are strong that the accuracy of your database is somewhat compromised.

We have heard relocation horror stories in the past about companies asking team members to compile mile-long checklists of tasks to accomplish in order to supplement their facilities management operating systems during a move. This method of move consulting is like giving someone a tractor trailer and an owner’s manual when they’ve never operated a vehicle before—expecting that drive to go smoothly would be imprudent. Every single move is different, so a generic agenda accompanied by a computer program will not be dynamic enough to meet your company’s individual needs.

Pulling off a successful corporate transition takes a lot of flexibility and know-how. When an unexpected problem arises, your move consultant needs to have the experience and confidence to pivot your project around these obstacles. If your move consultant is a software application, your relocation is predisposed to be much more stressful and painful for you, your coworkers, and the company as a whole.

Many internally managed moves involve months of facilities management sorting through mountains of boxes and equipment to get everything in place and operational once again. To oversee an entire corporate relocation is a full-time job in itself. Trying to take care of your regular duties on top of teaching yourself how to manage a commercial move will result in nothing but headaches and logistical nightmares. Let us help you turn your move into an investment. Learn more about the services we provide here.