Author: Michael Trafton, Panasonic Connect North America

Can Rugged Mobile Devices and Analytics Mitigate the Facility Worker Shortage?

Business leaders are itching to solve the labor shortage puzzle—and for good reason. In critical trades like plumbing, HVAC, construction, and manufacturing, there’s been a 70% decline in labor force participation since the end of 2019 due to the aging workforce. Today, the average facility worker is 51 years old. As older employees retire, there […]

EPA Awards 2023 ‘Safer Choice’ Partners for Cleaning, Other Chemical Products

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced 30 Safer Choice Partner of the Year award winners across 15 states and the District of Columbia, recognizing their achievements in the design, manufacture, selection, and use of cleaners, detergents, and other products with safer chemicals. The Safer Choice program helps consumers and purchasers of facilities, such as […]

Which U.S. Cities Are Leading the Uptick in Office Conversions?

Office conversions in the U.S. are on pace to more than double their recent annual average this year, with momentum picking up due to increased incentives and other support from state and local governments, according to new insight from CBRE. CBRE analyzed the number of office conversions in major U.S. cities since 2016 and found nearly 100 projects […]

cybersecurity

4 Tips to Help ‘Secure Our World’ During Cybersecurity Awareness Month

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has kicked off the 20th annual Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Throughout October, CISA and the National Cybersecurity Alliance will focus on ways to “Secure Our World” by educating the public on how to stay safe online. “Secure Our World” will also be the enduring theme throughout the year as the groups […]

Managing VOCs and Odors in Commercial Workspaces

Facilities managers know the importance of maintaining proper indoor air quality (IAQ). As far as critical issues go, air quality, ventilation, and the prevention of pollutants are up there, as they pose a severe health risk to workers, not to mention productivity and efficiency. One of the most prevalent indoor air contaminants is volatile organic […]

EMU Boosts Campus Security with AI-Based Gun Detection

Eastern Michigan University (EMU) will be among the first higher education institutions in the state to deploy an AI-based gun detection solution across campus to protect students, staff, and visitors from gun-related violence. The university has partnered with ZeroEyes, whose AI gun detection and intelligent situational awareness software will be layered on EMU’s existing digital security […]

Top Trends Facilities Managers Need to Consider When Hiring in 2024

As buildings become more modern and complex, a facilities manager’s responsibilities and hiring needs continue to change rapidly. Already, smart buildings are a big talking point within the industry, with research estimating that the market will grow to $408.21 billion in 2030, up from $96.96 billion in 2023. The rise in smart buildings, among other […]

IFMA Honors Industry Leaders at World Workplace Conference

On Sept. 27-29, thousands of industry professionals from across the globe converged on Denver for the International Facility Management Association’s (IFMA) World Workplace Conference and Expo. The event offered educational sessions, networking opportunities, and more. On the closing day, IFMA announced the recipients of the 2023 Awards of Excellence. The annual awards recognize exceptional contributions to […]

Former Surgeons General, Execs Issue Policy Prescription for Healthy Buildings

Organized by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), a group of renowned public health leaders issued an open letter to the nation’s policymakers titled “Buildings as a Prescription for Health.” The letter, signed by six former Surgeons General and six executives from top public health organizations, urges members of Congress, mayors, governors, and school superintendents to […]

Integrating Content Strategies into Facilities Management

As a facilities manager, it might be hard to see the value of a content strategy. For your business, it may seem that investing in such a strategy would cost too much of your already limited time and resources. But increasingly, facilities managers are discovering the true ROI of content marketing and how it can […]