Facilities Manager Spotlight: Interview with Bill Cooper

by Tammy Mitchell | | Next-Gen Facility Manager

We’ve met and spoken with a lot of Facilities Managers over the years, and one thing that comes to light really quickly, is that they really love their jobs. Bill (William) Cooper, Director of Buildings and Grounds for the Milford school District in New Hampshire, is unequivocally one of them.

Bill Cooper is talented, energetic, and passionate about not only his job, but the future of facilities. He is happy that after all of the years at work, he is still learning something new every day. His good nature shines through, which is evident in a feature piece by his school district, where he jokes that, “Summer’s never vacation time.” We’re sure a lot of Facilities Managers at schools everywhere can relate.

A proven team player, Bill says, “If I do not know the answer, I will find it.” When you visit his LinkedIn page, you’ll find a ton of positive posts, and an obvious enthusiasm for his school district.

So let’s get to know the person who has a board full of Thank You cards from students, for all of the wonderful work he does.

Bill Cooper
Director of Facilities


Tell us a bit about yourself

I am the Facilities Director for the Milford School District, Milford New Hampshire, and have been here for the last 19 years. 

I live with my dog Zeke, a Belgian Malinois. I ride my motorcycle when I can, and have been in the martial arts for the last 27 years.

When I retire my plan is to ride around the country to visit all of the states. 

When it comes to self-improvement do you prefer to read books, listen to podcasts or take a course?  

I read, listen to TED talks and podcasts. 

If you could have dinner with someone famous, from your past or present who would it be and why?  

Colin Powell or Abraham Lincoln. During the times of war why they did what they did.  

What is the best place you’ve ever traveled to? 

Key West and The California Coast, from L.A. to San Francisco both are beautiful!  

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? 

There is always someone smarter in the room. 

What is your favorite quote?  

To many to just pick one.

Finish Strong!   

Never quit.

Whatever the attitude, so is the response.

Many look, but few see.

One becomes great when he comes to the realization that what he knows is very little.

Are you a morning person or a night person?  

A night person, although as I get older I notice I am turning into a morning person.  

You’ve been asked to do a TED Talk. What is the topic you’re going to speak about? 

 

Friendship. Do not take them for granted. Reach out to those from your past. 

How did you get started in your career? 

Job opportunity with a bank. Went to night school, studied blueprints and became curious.  

Describe the biggest challenge you’ve faced when trying to reduce operational costs? 

To manage how we are going to complete the work without sacrificing quality. 

How would your co-workers describe you? 

Hard, but fair.  

Tell me how you organize, plan, and prioritize your work.  

The first items that need to be addressed are life safety, HVAC, water and electrical. Then look at all of the remaining work requests that come to me, and sort by building and type.  

How many years of experience do you have?  

38 years.

How would you describe a typical day?  

There are no typical days, but I do check emails and phone messages first, and start my day with a coffee, then find out what is going on, and jump right in.  

How has your partnership with us, DCM Inc., changed your bottom line?   

I do not waste time looking for prints. I sign into echo and find all of the prints right there at my fingertips. Very easy to use and understand. I will tell others about your company.  

What’s the most recent example of how we have exceeded your expectations? 

By finishing going through all of the blueprints we sent, and having them online so quickly!   

We finish the interview and you step outside the office and find a lottery ticket that ends up winning $10 million. What would you do?  

Go back to the office and share some of the winnings with staff, along with my family. Give some to the school district to finish some projects, and then invest the rest. 

Connect with Bill Cooper on LinkedIn

DCM Inc. partners with One Tree Planted – #echoTree

by Tammy Mitchell | | Corporate DCM Inc. Articles

At DCM Inc. we care deeply about the planet and creating a business that gives back to nature. That’s why we’re thrilled to share that we’re partnering with One Tree Planted to plant a tree for every new echo user added to your echo software!

Lindsay ON, Feb 1st, 2022 – Everywhere you look, more and more companies are going green. Consumers are now looking and choosing to work with businesses who are environmentally conscious and support sustainability. At DCM, we’ve been quite proud of how we’ve been able to help our clients reduce their use of paper, saving valuable resources and landfill space. We are taking our love of the planet to the next level by partnering with One Tree Planted.

 “At DCM Inc. we have always encouraged our customers to go paperless. We help them get their paper drawings digitized, thus reducing their dependency on paper and wasted storage costs, helping make their businesses more sustainable.” says Tammy Mitchell, Marketing and Communications Director. “We are thrilled to be partnering with One Tree Planted to take that to the next level with our own company.”

For every new echo software program user, through One Tree Planted, will plant a tree on our clients behalf. Our clients will get to choose where they would like that tree planted, from a variety of planting regions offered by One Tree Planted. Now when they go paperless with their drawings, not only do they incur the benefits of less paper waste, they give back to reforestation projects around the world. 

Everyone can have an impact

“When we were deciding on how we could increase our sustainability, we kept coming back to trees, because it’s such a natural extension of what we do – which is taking paper drawings and digitizing them.” Mitchell continues, “We can now replant a tree in place of the drawings that originated from another tree. This is a full circle moment for ourselves and our clients.”

We all know that trees are crucial to the environment. They help clean the air we breath, absorb pollutants and release oxygen for us to breathe. Trees filter and intercept the water we drink. Forests of all ages provide shelter to over 80% of the world’s terrestrial biodiversity. They also help people by providing jobs and absorbing harmful carbon from the atmosphere. The positive benefits of trees cannot be overstated..

Want to learn more? Get Involved

No matter if you’re a business, a teacher, students, or just want to get involved, One Tree Planted has many options where you can participate. Visit One Tree Planted for more information on how you can get started to help reforestation.

DCM Inc. Presents: One echo, One Tree – #echoTree

CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL

About DCM Inc. – The Drawing Specialists

DCM Inc. was established in 2004, is the leading drawing management company for facility managers. DCM Inc. is the ultimate solution to preserve and modernize facilities’ most valuable assets: engineering drawings (blueprints). DCM Inc was named ‘The Drawing Specialists’ by our clients, for our great hands-on approach that begins in their back room. Whether they require hands-on dirty work to get the mess organized, digitized, converted to AutoCAD, create an optimized Master CAD floor plan, or an online drawing management software that helps them keep track of everything successfully. We are the company they can trust to handle everything they throw our way. We are a one-stop solution for their drawing management needs.

About One Tree Planted

One Tree Planted is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit on a mission to make it simple for anyone to help the environment by planting trees. Their projects span the globe and are done in partnership with local communities and knowledgeable experts to create an impact for nature, people, and wildlife. Reforestation helps to rebuild forests after fires and floods, provide jobs for social impact, and restore biodiversity. Many projects have overlapping objectives, creating a combination of benefits that contribute to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. To learn more, visit onetreeplanted.org

Media Contact:

Tammy Mitchell
Director of Marketing and Communications
tammym@drawingspecialists.com
1-855-858-CADD

4 Ways Echo Protects Your Data Privacy

by Tammy Mitchell | | Phase 2: Drawing Management Software

Data privacy is an essential component to maintaining the health and security of your facility. Your data needs to be able to flow between the team members who need it in a secure system, contained and protected from leaking out critical resources–or letting in malicious invaders.

This Data Privacy Day, January 28th, we at DCM Inc. want to reiterate our commitment to ensuring your data is kept safe and secure in echo: our cutting-edge engineering drawing management software. When agreeing to provide data to a Software as a Service, it isn’t always clear how data privacy is being ensured. We want to keep you informed so that you know you are making the right, informed decision when you choose to trust your data with The Drawing Specialists.

Here are Four Ways echo Protects your Data Privacy

Encryption

Any application containing sensitive information requires encryption. As the leading drawing management company, we take encryption seriously! It may seem like a good idea for a company to develop their own secret algorithm or method of encoding data, but this is considered bad practice in the cryptography sphere. In echo, your data is protected by the well-established algorithm, which has been around since 2001–plenty of time to be picked apart by millions of eyes. It is a trusted, powerful method of encryption that has never been broken by attackers.

Salting

Beyond regular encryption, echo keeps your data protected with another cryptographic practice called salting. Salting basically adds random bits of data–a sprinkle of salt–to each password set up in the system. This means that even if two users happen to have identical passwords, the encrypted forms of those passwords will be entirely unique and not resemble the other at all.

Scaling Password Policy

Most software services nowadays require users to include various types of characters in their passwords. You know the drill: at least one capital letter, a number, and a special character like a dollar sign.Of course, this makes it tougher to guess than a password that’s just a word or phrase. We take this method a step further by scaling the password policy based on a user’s permissions in the system. The more permissions a user has, the stronger their password has to be.

Monitoring

echo is always being monitored for suspicious activity, and we take action to ensure anything out of the ordinary is locked out and reviewed in-real time. You can be assured that our technical teams have their eyes peeled for anything out of the ordinary that could potentially affect your data privacy.

Do you want to trust that your company’s data privacy is in safe, reliable hands? 

Facility Managers around the globe are trusting echo, the leading drawing management company, with keeping their facilities’ data private and secure. Our security measures are tried and true. Our team would be happy to discuss echo and security further with you as we only sprinkled the surface with salt in the article. With DCM Inc. and echo on your side, you can be assured that your drawings are in safe hands. See more information on echo from DCM Inc.

The Different Types of FM Software

by Tammy Mitchell | | Phase 2: Drawing Management Software

A facility management or FM software assists in tasks set aside for facility managers.

These include:

  • Scheduling repair and maintenance
  • Management of parts and supply
  • Tracking of personnel and tasks
  • Storage of drawings in a single digital format

Multiple FM software exists in the market, and we shall examine their differences.

Understanding the Different Types of FM Software

Male facility manager in a construction site using a tablet device to access FM software needed for managing his tasks.

Building Planning and Design

Building planning and design is the arrangement of various building components to form a homogeneous structure that serves its function. There are types of building planning and design software that help you to automate the process.

Floor plans illustrate how a building is laid out and related to fixtures, furniture, as well as walls. Technology allows us to build 3D rendered models that one virtually walks through to see the final design.AutoCAD and Revit are two handy software types of Autodesk. The older generation may remember AutoCAD from way back in 1982.

AutoCAD was among the initial computer-aided programs used on PCs. Engineers and architects create and modify various geometric shapes to create designs, blueprints for computer chips, buildings, bridges, etc., on both the mobile as well as the web. It has, however, undergone a lot of transformation since its inception.

Revit is a single app that creates geometry but with real-life data, launched in 2000. It is a 3D BIM (building information modeling) tool with structural engineering, construction, and architectural design features. The review allows you to create a smart building model in a virtual space.

Building Construction

With all construction projects, documents accumulate. Multiple projects generate a considerable amount of documentation that needs storage. The relevant people must have access to these documents, such as facility maintenance as well as construction management teams.

Construction project management software helps companies perform communication, budget management, job scheduling, as well as decision-making processes. The software also aims to make construction business processes more straightforward via automation. Examples include:

  • Jonas Premier
  • Acculynx
  • ProContractor
  • GanttPRO
  • eSUB Subcontractor
  • Knowify,
  • eSUB Subcontractor
  • Buildertrend

Building commissioning software digitalizes, optimizes, as well as tests equipment, and replaces computer and paper spreadsheet methods. It also streamlines workflows by using drawings and removes any inefficiencies in the conventional methods. Examples include BlueRithm and Quicx.

Building Maintenance

Without proper maintenance, even the best-constructed building won’t last.  Back in the day, before technology was a thing, this maintenance was all manually done. The process was long and arduous, and luckily, we now have FM software that automates the process.

Building management falls into two categories: soft and hard. Soft services include landscaping, janitorial jobs, as well as other tasks that do not involve being a physical component of the building. Complex services include door locks, fire alarms, windows, doors, etc.

Building management software should manage the building’s maintenance. It is a specialized computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) solution. It automates your maintenance processes and helps the maintenance manager with performing day-to-day tasks.

The solution also centralizes repair scheduling, enterprise asset management, managing costs, maintenance work orders, etc. Examples include Akitabox, Optergy Building Management System (BMS), Upkeep, etc.

Group of engineers and facility managers in a construction site looking at a laptop while accessing documents through the use of reliable FM software.

Space Planning and Management

Space planning is the proper utilization of physical space in a facility. A space planning and management system include various software that improves physical spaces’ supervision in the facility.

The software deals with floor plans, providing features that assist in capacity, occupancy maintenance, as well as property management. Ideally, a company should use every available space for its intended purposes, such as storage, meeting rooms, or desk space.

Space planning and management software also provide you with real-time and accurate data. You can use this information to determine if you can use the available space more effectively to cut costs.

It means you can re-allocate unused space for other purposes and even make a case for expansion or downsizing, depending on the real-time data. When you have accurate data, you can make better-informed decisions that cut your costs.

If you rent extra unused rooms in your facility, let them go by sub-letting them. The software also enables you to make sense of even the smallest spaces that you would never have anticipated. Examples of space system software include Wisp, iOffice, as well as Spacewell.

Asset Management Software

The asset management system is a system that allows you to track critical details about all your assets in real-time. It drastically reduces your administration expenses, enhances your services, as well as enables you to understand asset use, maintenance, and costs. This software manages both hardware and software assets. Examples include:

  • Asset Panda
  • ManageEngine AssetExplorer
  • InvGate Assets
  • Ivanti IT Asset Management
  • MMSoft Pulseway
  • GoCodes etc.

Drawing Management (echo)

echo is a class apart from other available Space Management and FM software. echo and FM software is different. It is exclusively a drawing management solution whose purpose is to capture, then catalog all your organization’s current and past blueprints, documentation, and technical drawings.

The software audits documents and enters the documents into a version control system and is accessible to your staff through a web-based frontline. echo also makes it easy for anyone in your firm to locate any drawing they need within seconds. The system also guarantees that the drawing version they lookup is the latest and updated version. 

echo has several benefits, such as:

  • The software identifies outdated or missing documents and is thus either created or found.
  • The software finds low-quality or damaged drawings and puts them up for redrawing.
  • You can use the software to create up-to-date and accurate Baseline master CAD drawings from many as-built drawings.

echo also has colossal ROIs (returns on investment) for people who only depend on blueprints as they can save a lot of valuable time used to maintain a centralized digital or hardcopy drawing library. Searching for a specific drawing may take you ages, and also ensuring the drawings are updated is another hassle.

Facility Managers in Canada and the world have taken to using echo and its unique features. After using echo’s automation features, it becomes easy to track drawings without the hassle. Nobody wants to go back to the dark ages of manually searching for drawings in dusty storerooms. Make your life infinitely easier by digitalization. See more information on echo from DCM Inc.

“You have to know the past to understand the present.”​- Carl Sagan

by Tammy Mitchell | | Phase 1: Hands-On Drawing Management

Building or property managers often manage facilities that have been around for many years. They may even be older than the property managers. Subsequently, many managers are also likely to experience certain issues pertaining to the building’s structure and the various equipment contained within it. Some of this equipment may include printers used to create drawings and the myriad paperwork that these printers create. To effectively manage buildings as well as their outdated equipment and systems, it’s important to understand the past.

As Carl Sagan famously put it, “You have to know the past to understand the present.” 

If you don’t understand the past behind your facilities, you won’t be able to successfully manage them. This is because you don’t understand how they work. Take the time to look at the background of your buildings and equipment. So you’ll be well-equipped to deal with any issues that come about. You may also be able to make a more successful transition to contemporary solutions that improve upon the efforts of the past.

Businesswoman talking to building inspectors about conducting routine check up of her property.

Why Building Managers Should Know the Past Behind Their Properties

There are multiple reasons why it’s necessary to understand the past and the systems and structures associated with a property.

Deal With Potential Breakdowns

If you have a good understanding of how your building and various pieces of equipment work, you’ll be able to prevent possible breakdowns and subsequent downtime. Otherwise, when something happens to hinder your operations, you won’t know the ins and outs of the facility or machinery to inform you of what specifically occurred. You would then need to spend more time figuring out what happened. This would only complicate matters as you suffer from even longer periods of downtime.

The more you know about what you’re working with, the more prepared you’ll be in the event of a malfunction or shutdown.

Make Future Maintenance Easier

Preventative maintenance and minor repairs are also inevitable. If you know how your facilities and systems work, you’ll know what to look for as wear and tear develop. You’ll also have a better idea of when you require maintenance and what specifically needs it. This will help keep your systems running efficiently as well as minimize the risk of potential breakdowns.

Be Prepared for Emergencies

You never know when an emergency could take place. From a building fire to a massive mechanical issue that compromises your operations and the safety of others. If you have a good understanding of your property’s layout, functionality, and the equipment on every floor, you can develop emergency plans for them in the event of a catastrophe. In turn, you’ll be able to remain comfortable in knowing that your systems and the people within your building are consistently safe. If and when an emergency does take place, you’ll have the resources to resolve the situation much more efficiently. This could even mean the difference between a minor emergency and a tragedy.

Manage Your Budget More Effectively

Having a clear window into your property’s past will also help you establish a budget that makes sense. As you look to maintain your facilities or consider making upgrades, you can determine how this would impact your budget. Based on the age and extent of repairs or upkeep needed, you would be able to more accurately calculate how much these tasks will cost you. You’ll then be able to make more informed budgeting decisions that help minimize expenses while maximizing profitability. 

Know Who to Hire for the Job

Chances are that if you require maintenance at any point, you’ll want to work with reliable maintenance contractors. However, you need to make sure the contractors you hire are capable of working with your specific facility or equipment. If you know what you’re dealing with, you can more selectively hire contractors who can actually help you.

How You Can Understand Your Property’s Past

If you want to know the background of your property and learn all about the equipment you’re working with, there are certain steps you can take. For instance, you can:

1. Inspect the Entire Facility

You can really learn about your building by exploring it in depth. Consider inspecting the building yourself or hiring inspectors to take a closer look at every part of the building. You may learn about certain potential problems early on that could have led to an unpleasant surprise if left unaddressed. You’ll also know more about how the building operates and determine how the layout will affect operations and emergency plans.

2. Figure Out What Requires Upgrades

For older drawing equipment and other systems, you need to know the original equipment’s intended use. Based on the functionality of your equipment, you can better determine what will require upgrades or complete replacements to bring your building into the modern age. 

3. Recover Information from Previous Managers

Find out what previous managers had to deal with and try to obtain their records. This can provide invaluable insight that helps you manage the property while further informing you of what requires updates and changes.

Work With the Drawing Specialists to Learn the Past and Move Forward

If you’re a building manager working with outdated engineering drawing systems and production methods, let the experts at DCM help move your business into the future.

With the help of our paperless drawing solutions, we can eliminate the need for extensive paper drawings, which can free up storage and make operations more efficient than ever. Less paper also makes for an even safer facility for occupants.

Simply hand your drawings to us and we’ll equip your business with a digital system that allows for easy organization. Through the implementation of an optimized and automated drawing system, you’ll never have to worry about losing important documents or spending time locating master drawings. You’ll never need to deal with the myriad hassles that come with outdated paper drawings.

Want to learn more about DCM’s capabilities and start working with the Drawing Specialists to digitize your drawings? Contact us today and we’ll put you in touch with one of our representatives.

Facilities Manager Spotlight: Interview with Carolyn McGary

by Tammy Mitchell | | Next-Gen Facility Manager

If you’re not following Carolyn McGary on LinkedIn, you’re missing out. 

Known as the Wonder Woman of FM, Carolyn’s feed is full of Facilities Management news, podcasts, job listings, career advice, and then some. Her enthusiasm towards the Facilities Management profession is positively contagious. 

In fact, by the time you’re finished reading and listening to her “FaciliTopics” – 10 min shorts from her FMPipeline team all about Facilities Management – you’ll find yourself, looking up programs to make a career pivot. Maybe you’ll even join her classes at Metropolitan State University in Denver where’s a part-time instructor in the Department of Engineering. 

It’s easy to see why she made IFMA’s Forty under 40 list of the best and brightest FM professionals. 

So let’s get to know Carolyn McGary, our FM Superhero, as part of our Facilities Manager Spotlight Series!

Carolyn McGary
FMP, CFM, SFP, PROFM

Tell us a bit about yourself…

Hello!  Wonder Woman here.  Superman (the hubby) and I live in Parker, CO with our three cats and a small horde of books and legos.  He’s an electrical engineer and I’m currently a part-time assistant project manager, part-time instructor, and a part-time Co-Director of a Non-profit!  When I’m not doing any of those things, I’m probably sleeping (ha!), or singing in my local choir, or volunteering with my sorority.

When it comes to self-improvement do you prefer to read books, listen to podcasts or take a course?  

Ooh, this one is tricky.  I would have to say it depends, so I will rank them by effectiveness for me:

Taking a Course – In person I always get more out of.  Virtual as long as I have accountability buddies. I’m currently working on a virtual program and a Business Development Professional credential. 

Podcasts – As I was driving more during covid (vs the train) I found podcasts are my jam!  I’ve been listening to Nonprofits are Messy by Joan Garry and I’m learning SO MUCH about how to run a nonprofit.  This benefits all the nonprofits I’m currently a part of. 

Books – My self-improvement book collection is full of good intentions, but I tend to move much slower through the nonfiction.  I like mainly fantasy type books with snarky heroines. 

What are the three interesting facts about you?

I once sat on a live alligator!  Colorado has (or had, in case it’s not still there) an alligator farm and I went with my parents on an adventure in high school.  I guessed the alligator’s weight the most accurately and the prize was a photo with her.  Good thing I was skinny at the time, poor girl! 

 I’ve sung at Carnegie Hall – it was with my HS choir and several other student choirs for…I couldn’t even tell you what event, but we got to spend several days touring NYC – seeing a Broadway show and the Statue of Liberty, and I have photos of the Twin Towers the Spring before they fell.  ☹

I was a Ninja!  No, really, my hubby and I found a dojo near our house that taught ninjitsu, which is the art of the ninja.  Katana, Throwing Stars, Sais, Slurpee Straws…the works!  Also, it’s fun to say I have ninja training. 

What’s your favourite drink?

Earl Grey Latte

You’ve been asked to do a TED Talk. What is the topic you’re going to speak about?  

The Future of FM! 

How did you get started as a Facilities Manager?

I found my passion while in college.  Our university had an accredited FM program, which has since closed, but it was intriguing, I liked buildings and people, so I decided to try it.  After my first (or maybe second) world workplace, I realized I was where I would thrive.  

What are your career goals as a facilities manager?

I’m currently very close to the dream.  I have found the most joy in helping other students discover FM as a great career path.  I’m not saying I’m great at it yet, but I’m working it! 

From here I am trying to focus more on the nonprofit I am co-director of: FM Pipeline Team Inc.  Our goal is to Engage, Enlighten, and Energize the Next Gen of FM.  We’re hopeful to build the budget over the next 2-5 years to really help it take off and make a big impact to the FM Industry, getting more students to choose the career path rather than fall into it.

Lastly, I’m an aspiring future IFMA Fellow.  I hope to one day join those prestigious ranks of people who have proven their impact on the profession.     

How many years of experience in facility management do you have?  

I’ve been doing this about 16 years now and am coming up on my 20 year anniversary with IFMA in 2024.  It’s pretty exciting to think that by that time, I will be able to say I have spent over half my life in facility management! 

We finish the interview and you step outside the office and find a lottery ticket that ends up winning $10 million. What would you do?

That depends, do I need to share it with my hubby?  ;-p

After figuring out if I’m sharing, I want to 1) invest it so that I can live off the interest for as long as I can 2) create endowment scholarships for my Sorority and the IFMA Foundation and 3) Help seed the FM Pipeline to succeed far into the future.  4) Maybe travel on my interest $ to places other than WWP and such.

To connect with Carolyn McGary, visit:

5 Must Read Facilities Management Websites for FM’s to Follow

by Tammy Mitchell | | Next-Gen Facility Manager

One thing that Facilities Manager’s tell us all the time, is the importance of keeping up to date with changing technology, news, and trends in the Facilities Management industry. The future of Facilities Management is very bright, and making sure FM’s are aware of the latest changes, is crucial to their jobs. We put together 5 must-read Facilities Management websites for FM’s to keep up to date with the latest industry news. 

5 must read Facilities Management Websites for FM’s to follow

A lot of DCM’s clients are Facilities Managers. Staying up to date with what is happening in their profession, is essential to our ensuring we provide our clients with the best possible service. All of these Facilities Management websites, are part our of our weekly reads.

1) REMI Network

We begin with the REMI Network. The REMI Network features news and information servicing the real estate management industry.

They provide content for professionals involved in every stage of real estate management. This includes the planning of a project, to a property’s development – design and construction, all the way to its occupancy, management and maintenance.

Owned by MediaEdge communications the REMI Network offers seven publications including:

  • Canadian Property Management,
  • Canadian Apartment Magazine
  • CondoBusiness
  • Canadian Facility Management & Design
  • Facility Cleaning & Maintenance
  • Construction Business 
  • Design Quarterly

Great reads on REMI Network:

Three ways engineers can improve building projects

Rethinking the restroom experience

2) Facilities Net

Facilities Net is home to two magazines – Building Operations Management and Facility Maintenance Decisions. Their editorial content features news about design, construction, maintenance and operations of facilities. They often publish articles submitted and written by industry experts, who report on industry news, write editorials, suggest solutions to problems their readers, and FM’s may face.

Current career opportunities can be found in the Facilities Net job section. Their Education section offers Webcasts, and Democasts. Most importantly, they offer a ProFM credential – an inclusive credential and training program in facility management.

Notable content on Facilities Net:

Career is an awesome whirlwind for young FM

10 Post Pandemic Facility Management and Construction Trends

3) IFMA

The IFMA – International Facility Management Association – is one of the most well known Facilities Management Websites, and has one of the largest FM communities in the world. IFMA offers news, events, careers, training and just about everything that you need to begin or grow your Facilities Management career. Their publication, FMJ Magazine, is published six times a year. Each magazine issues is focused on a different topic.

They have an online forum called IFMA Engage, where you can discuss topics with other FM professionals.It’s well worth becoming an IFMA member. IFMA is extremely active on social media. One of the best places to connect with them in on LinkedIn.

Helpful pages to bookmark:

IFMA Knowledge Library

What’s New at IFMA?


4) Buildings

The Buildings brand has been around a long time. 1906 to be precise. They serve a community of facility managers, and building owners, that oversee commercial and public buildings. We’re big fans of their clean and easy to navigate website, which offers industry news, podcasts, commercial products, magazines and newsletters on facility management. Their content helps their readers make smarter building decisions.

Did we mention the many free courses they offer on every topic from Energy Management, Disaster Prep, to Green Building Operations.

They founded the notable Purpose Awards. The goal of the awards is to recognize products, projects, designs, and spaces that contribute to positive change for the health and wellness of humans, and the planet.

Interesting reads:

Future of Open Office will focus on Health and Personalization

How technology saves this hospital $3.2 million a year in Energy costs

5) Facility Executive Magazine

Last but certainly not least, is Facility Executive Magazine. Whatever topic you’re looking for on Facility Managers, there is a good chance Facility Executive has it covered. They’re one of the most well known Facilities Management websites. They cover a vast array of FM topics from Construction, the Environment, Safety, Economic Development. Their Products and Services section takes a look at everything from physical building materials, to the latest tech.

A big part of FM work is managing people. The category Workplace Culture, explores the changing landscape of that side of the Facilities Management profession.

Don’t miss out on their humorous side in their Friday Funny blog posts.

Well worth your time:

Smart Technology in the Office of the Future


New life for Shopping Mall focus of Design Content Finalist

The Art and History of Engineering Drawings in the Days Before AutoCAD

by Tammy Mitchell | | Corporate DCM Inc. Articles

Drafting software such as AutoCAD has made it easier than ever to create high-quality engineering drawings. However, you might be curious to know how it worked before these solutions came along. Here we’ll go over how people drafted engineering drawings using old-school solutions and paper. This puts into perspective how far we’ve come along in this industry as we make the transition to a paperless future.

Going Back to the Drawing Board

Years before the introduction of AutoCAD and other platforms, drawings were drafted using large sheets of paper and drawing boards. In addition to these materials, various supplies helped create drawings. These include erasers, set squares, pencils of various grades, and T-squares, among other items. There was arguably an admirable amount of artistry and crafting that went into engineering drawings in those days. But the process was more time-consuming, costlier, and generally less efficient.

Drafting and design have a long history starting, as far as we can see, around 2,000 B.C. The first evidence of drafting came from this period in the form of a drawn aerial view of a castle in Babylon. Since then, drafting has developed into an art that’s relied on the work of well-trained and inherently talented designers. As a result, many skilled designers have contributed to archaic structures that remain modern marvels to this day.

In the early days of drafting and until recent decades, engineering entailed working with paper to manually draw floorplans and designs using basic drawing tools. Things began to evolve in 1963 when Ivan Sutherland developed Sketchpad. This was essentially the first computer-aided design (CAD) program that gave users the ability to place x-y plots on drafts. The program wasn’t widely used and didn’t truly change the way designs were produced at the time. However, it was a sign of things to come in the years ahead. It was the launching point for a wave of automation and innovation that would eventually alter the industry forever. 

The Introduction of CAD

Engineers with firms and institutions such as Citroen, GM, Ford, Boeing, and MIT led the way for the development of CAD as a means of automating the drafting process. Specifically, these engineers made certain financial and intellectual contributions throughout the ’60s as CAD looked to be a game-changer for the aerospace and automotive industries. On the other hand, the limitations of CAD programs at this time still required plenty of manual processes.

Over the next several decades, the drafting industry would continue to evolve as CAD programs became more intuitive, accessible, as well as capable. First came the inception of Autodesk. This was the hardware that would facilitate the use and future development of CAD programs. Once the 1980s came along, the industry would see an even more dramatic change with the development of AutoCAD.

Group of engineers in an office managing their drawings using AutoCAD.

How AutoCAD Revolutionized Engineering Drawings

With the introduction of AutoCAD in 1982 came the establishment of the company behind it, Autodesk, not to be confused with the aforementioned hardware. John Walker founded Autodesk when he and 15 fellow co-founders decided to put together and launch five separate applications for desktop automation, in the hopes that one would thrive. The product that garnered the most success of the five was AutoCAD. It appeared at the COMDEX trade show located in Las Vegas. AutoCAD also became the very first CAD program to run on a PC. Since 1986, AutoCAD has been the most commonly implemented CAD program across the globe.

In the following years, AutoCAD began to see exponential growth, with a whopping 31 versions released since the initial launch in 1982. These upgraded versions included additional features and programs that made the program useful for a variety of applications beyond engineering. One of the advantages of AutoCAD that enabled these developments is the software’s support of automation and customization APIs. These APIs led to the development of various products, including AutoCAD Electrical, AutoCAD Architecture, and AutoCAD Civil 3D. Additionally, the developers have expanded into apps for both cloud-based computing systems and mobile devices. This lead to the creation of A360 Viewer, AutoCAD 360, and Fusion 360, among other programs. When used in conjunction with various documentation platforms, it’s easier than ever to draft, collaborate on, and share designs online.

AutoCAD Today

Today, AutoCAD is useful for mechanical engineers, but it’s also invaluable for many others across a variety of industries. The construction industry primarily uses AutoCAD. Autodesks’ Building Design Suite assists construction engineers through the use of CAD tools and Building Information Modeling (BIM). One notable design project with which AutoCAD helped considerably was the Shanghai Tower. This structure came with many complex elements that required fully capable design tools, which is where AutoCAD came into play. AutoCAD’s BIM enabled the design team to develop in-depth 3D visualizations for the tower to help inform its construction. Additionally, designers could effectively analyze the design to inform their decisions around additional design steps. This includes decisions regarding ways to make the structure more eco-friendly.

What the Future Holds for Engineering Drawings

AutoCAD has made it far easier for engineers and others to draft drawings, share them, and keep track of their many revisions. Many professionals continue to rely on AutoCAD. And a growing number of them are also finding more ways to go completely paperless with their drawings. Gone are the days when manual processes and paperwork were necessary. These materials and steps now merely hinder rather than help draft and manage engineering drawings. Instead, you can create top-quality engineering drawings that deserve to be displayed, and without the need for paper at all.

Through the use of programs like AutoCAD and documentation management systems, you can go without paper drawings entirely as you develop a completely paperless environment. Eliminating paper comes with many benefits. It includes saved storage and workspace, reduced costs associated with paper products, as well as increased productivity, along with other advantages.

If you want to make it easier to manage your drawings and integrate paperless systems into your operations, the Drawing Specialists can help with an innovative drawing management solution. To find out more about what we can do for you, contact us today.

The Future of Facilities Management

by Tammy Mitchell | | Next-Gen Facility Manager

We’ve had the opportunity to speak to Facilities Managers across all industries as part of our Facilities Manager series. They’ve shared their thoughts on what Facilities Managers do every day, and things people may not know about the profession.

The one thing we are certain of is that every day is different and the list of things on their to do list is endless. We work with a great deal of Facilities Managers and every day, the staff at DCM learns something different about the profession.

What will be different – the Future of Facilities Management

But we’re looking forward to seeing how it is going to change as well. From Covid having solidified the demand for ensuring the health and safety of employees and their facilities, to climate change increasing the need for healthier buildings, Facility Manager’s will be looking at buildings in a different way than their previous years. That doesn’t include all of the tech advances in recent years, from digital twins to 3D facility mapping, the FM profession is headed to new heights. 

In fact, the demand for Integrated Facilities Management Global Integrated Facility Management Market is projected to grow from USD84.65 billion in 2020 to USD114.86 billion by 2026.


We asked Facilities Managers, their thoughts on the Future of Facilities Management. The good. The bad. And what’s next.

A very bright outlook for Facilities Management is in the cards

The future of FM is very bright and secure and is the closest to the information technology Industry. By 2023 FM profession is projected to be worth about $23 billion dollars. As people continue to seek physical spaces, for work, recreation and residential purpose, the ever increasing needs to manage Services and smart buildings. The needs and services of an FM is at all time high. Not to forget, we also offer health and safety management as well.

– Yomi Agbenro, Business Support Services Manager

The environment, health and safety of buildings will all be a big priority

I think it has to look different. I think you’ll see more facilities professionals look more closely at environmental services, occupational health and safety, air quality solutions. As long as you have buildings you will still need facilities. I also see our role expanding into home setups and providing advice. Infection control practices will increase and will become more everyday happenings. 

Space planning and logistics will play a bigger role in managing staff that no longer are onsite every day, but when they come in need a space. Imagine driving an hour into the office for your once a week meeting, and you don’t have a safe space or any space to work at.

It will be interesting how they manage large buildings like casinos and stadiums.

–  Danielle Paquette, Facilities Manager

Attracting top talent that has a well rounded skill set is also a topic of discussion as the profession evolves.

I am very concerned about the future.  For decades people have focused on college and moved away from learning the trades.  Now, so many great trades people are retiring leaving a huge void in the service industry.  Facilities Management needs people who understand how a building operates and not just managing the budget. 

Many people entering the Facilities Management field have college degrees but do not understand things such as how an air conditioner works, theory behind wiring inside a building, how the plumbing systems handles water and waste, etc.  

Employers are using “Director of Facilities” or “Director of Maintenance” titles to attract employees.  People with only basic maintenance skills have this title which takes away from the Facilities Management profession.  

– Michael Walton, Facilities Manager

But change in the future of Facilities Management is inevitable

Post pandemic we will see a new layer of accountability not so dissimilar to water quality testing, and the public will demand both a rigorous approach and full disclosure and accountability. Boards will have to report on air quality, deep cleaning and other measures in much the same way in the last decade we upped the standards for lead testing in our water. We will have to add the current construction protocols or a modified version thereof into new agreements. We will spend more time in addressing compliance while trying to maintain the same schedules that we have had in the past.    

– Lewis Morgulis, Managing Partner, Planning

How do you think the future of Facilities Management will look? Join the conversation with us on DCM’s social media. You can find us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. We’re always eager to hear your thoughts and to help with your drawing conversion and management.

Special thanks to the following Facilities Management Professionals who helped us with this article:

So you want to be a Facilities Manager – Career Advice from FM’s

by Tammy Mitchell | | Next-Gen Facility Manager

So you want to be a Facilities Manager. What do you do first, and what do you really know about the profession? As part of our ongoing Facilities Managers Series, we spoke with several very experienced Facilities Managers to find out in their own words, their thoughts on their profession.

We asked them everything from what key characteristics a successful Facilities Manager has, to the future of the profession, and what a day in the life of a Facilities Manager is like.

We know there are a lot of different paths one can take to become a Facilities Manager. But we wanted to dive beyond education, to the nuances that really make the profession what it is. In which case, we asked Facilities Manager’s, what advice would you give to someone who was considering becoming a Facility Manager. 

Things that only a Facilities Manager would know after years of doing the job.

Things that they may not find in a textbook. 

Their replies were as focused on the people they work with, as it was about the skills they need for the job, and the buildings they looked after.

How to become a Facilities Manager –

Career Advice from FM’s

When you think of a Facilities Manager, what comes to mind? Organizational skills. Extensive training. The go-to person when something needs to be fixed in your building. 

You’re on the right track. But what else do Facilities Managers have to take care of?

Safety – Facilities Management maintains the fire sprinkler systems, alarms systems, emergency lighting, and emergency preparedness plans.

Ergonomics – making sure the workplace fits the employee to improve comfort, health and satisfaction.

– Michael Walton, Facilities Manager

When things go wrong, guess who they’re calling when it’s the middle of the night.

In my time on the job, the concept of being “On-Call” as a 24-hour supervisor was not in the job description (or if it was, I didn’t read it), and it is a significant area that you have to do well. All after-hours calls from security, to fire, to police, to evening staff working have to be addressed by the person on call. 

It’s 2 a.m. and a motion sensor has gone off, and you are woken up to deal with it. As the on-call supervisor, you dispatch the security company, and await the report. It may also involve sending a staff member to board up the broken window, replace the lock, reset the fire panel. Each supervisor takes a 1-week shift, and can count on at least 2 nights of broken sleep each week, six to eight times a year.

– Lewis Morgulis, Managing Partner, Planning

You manage people, almost as much as you manage buildings and facilities.

I think the biggest thing people are surprised at is the amount of people managing you have to do. Everyone thinks they can be a facilities manager, and that it’s so easy until they spend a few hours with you. People think of you as the complaints department, and you have to manage that in a professional way without taking it personally. You need to be able to manage their expectations and listen to their issues while maintaining your calm, and trying to understand where they are coming from.

Answering questions pertaining to areas that have no relation to you. In this role, you are often one of the first contacts for a new hire, and you might be one of the only faces especially in these times that they’ll see so they reach out to you first. You really need to have a large picture view so you can easily direct them to the area they need.

–  Danielle Paquette, Facilities Manager

Ok you can handle that. Still want to be a Facilities Manager? What other advice do FM’s have…

My advice for FMs is to stay teachable, adaptable, technology compliant and data-driven in this 21st century.

– Yomi Agbenro, Business Support Services Manager 

Enter this field to help others. Be a lifelong learner.  Contractors can take advantage of people who are not familiar with building systems. Hire people who are smart in their field and learn from them instead of attempting to teach them. Mistakes are a part of learning.  It is silly to hire smart people and hold them back. Build a team of trusted people.  If you do not know something, talk with your team and seek the answers.  If you act like you know it all it will diminish the respect your team has for you. 

– Michael Walton

Your education never stops.

Never stop learning, whether it’s about the buildings, your job skills, how to communicate better, how to motivate, how to listen, how to empathize, how to mediate – all of it is required in the FM field, and most of it is people-focused. 

– Lewis Morgulis

With the advance of modern technology, FMs need to stay abreast of emerging technology to further enhance productivity, reduce costs, and improve efficiency in the workplace or any other physical spaces they manage for people.

– Yomi Agbenro

Listen and learn – why? There is no way to know everything no matter how long you’ve been doing it. If you can’t listen you will always struggle to make effective change.

Stay strong – you need to be able to convey confidence and others may think they know better, and perhaps they do but you are also a subject matter expert, and if you strongly believe in something stay the course and make your case.

If you don’t know or you aren’t sure, say so.

– Danielle Paquette

If you’re thinking of becoming a Facilities Manager, join us on LinkedIn where we often share tips, articles and advice in the Facilities Management industry.

Special thanks to the following Facilities Management Professionals who helped us with this article: