Internet editorial

Citation

Brian Sloan, P. (2000), "Internet editorial", Facilities, Vol. 18 No. 10/11/12. https://doi.org/10.1108/f.2000.06918jag.001

Internet editorial

Benchmarking is a performance measurement tool used in conjunction with improvement initiatives to measure the operating performance of companies on a comparative basis and identifies "best practice".

Benchmarking has the potential to create value by:

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  focusing on areas of performance within businesses which require improvement;

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  identifying ideas from other companies which may assist in improving performance;

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  creating an agreed strategy on how to move an organisation forward;

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  making more informed decisions based on improved knowledge of potential performance.

The following Web sites give access to a wealth of knowledge and expertise on the subject of benchmarking and its application within business. Reference is made to a range of Web sites for organisations and associations which may be of particular interest to readers of Facilities.

ebenchmarkinghttp://www.ebenchmarking.com/

This Web site gives details of ebenchmarking, which is a monthly newsletter provided via e-mail. The newsletter is currently available at no charge to subscribers and subscription is available to individuals in large corporations or governmental organisations which are involved with benchmarking. The newsletter may be useful in supporting internal benchmarking efforts. Each newsletter includes a feature article about new trends in benchmarking, information about open studies and links to other benchmarking sites.

BenchNethttp://www.ecommerce benchmarking.com/

BenchNet is a user friendly electronic communication and information system designed specifically for use by individuals and organisations involved in benchmarking and process improvement. BenchNet is part of The Benchmarking Exchange (TBE) and provides users with a comprehensive, centralised and specialised forum for all phases of the benchmarking process. BenchNet is described as being "… designed by benchmarking practitioners for benchmarking practitioners …" Membership gives access to a "live" newsletter where all the information is updated daily, so you do not have to wait months for fresh and up-to-date material.

OutsourcingBenchmarking.comhttp://www.outsourcing-benchmarking.com/

This site deals with the pros and cons of benchmarking. A number of articles are available which seek to provide insight into the use of this technique from a number of different perspectives: suppliers, customers, providers and analysts. For those wishing to take the subject further, links are provided to other sources of information and an online booklist on the subject is included.

US Department of Energy Environmental Management Benchmarking Clearinghousehttp://www.em.doe.gov/bch/

The Office of Environmental Management Benchmarking Clearinghouse Web page is designed to share benchmarking ideas, stimulate the development of new study approaches, and promote benchmarking as a means for continuous improvement. The site gives access to details of benchmarking abstracts and reports, Department of Energy Benchmarking data and other benchmarking data sources.

The Benchmarking Networkhttp://www.benchmarkingnetwork.com/

The Benchmarking Network Web site contains details of the services offered by the network which works in collaboration with organisations throughout the world in undertaking benchmarking studies. This is a very comprehensive Web site covering the application of benchmarking within many sectors of business, including facilities management.

The following Web sites are part of the benchmarking network and have been chosen not just because they may be of direct relevance to facilities managers, but also to demonstrate the breadth of application of benchmarking in many sectors of the economy.

The Facilities & Real Estate Benchmarking Association (FREBA)http://www.freba.com/

The Facilities & Real Estate Benchmarking Association (FREBA) is an association of facilities and real estate management organisations within major corporations. FREBA conducts benchmarking studies to identify practices that improve the overall operations of its members. The Association's mission is to identify "Best in Class" facilities and real estate management processes, which, when implemented, will lead member companies to exceptional performance.

The Environmental, Health & Safety Benchmarking Association (EHSBA)http://www.ehsbenchmarking.org/

The Environmental, Health & Safety Benchmarking Association is an association of environmental, health and safety managers to identify best business practices and compare operating performance.

Procurement and Supply Chain Benchmarking Association (PASBA)http://www.pasba.com/

The Procurement and Supply Chain Benchmarking Association (PASBA) is an association of individuals involved in procurement and supply chain management within large companies. Its aim is to identify best practice in procurement and supply chain business processes, which, when implemented, will lead member companies to exceptional performance.

The Consortium for Petrochemical Industry Benchmarking (CPIB)http://www.cpib.org/

The Consortium for Petrochemical Industry Benchmarking (CPIB) is an association of petrochemical companies. The association conducts benchmarking studies to identify the practices that improve the overall operations of its members.

The International Governmental Benchmarking Association (IGBA)http://www.igba.org/

The International Governmental Benchmarking Association (IGBA) provides a forum for the exchange of performance measurements and benchmarking data for all levels of government around the world. The association is currently a free organisation with fees assessed only when companies want to join specific benchmarking efforts. Membership is limited to individuals employed as regular employees of local, city, state or federal branches of government.

The e-Commerce Benchmarking Association (eCBA)http://www.ecommercebenchmarking.com/

The e-Commerce Benchmarking Association (eCBA) is an association of e-commerce individuals working within large corporations. eCBA conducts benchmarking studies to identify practices that may improve the e-commerce operations of its members.

If you have information on any Internet sites which you think may be of interest to the readers of Facilities, please pass details to Brian Sloan by e-mail at: B.Sloan@napier.ac.uk

Professor Brian SloanNapier University, Edinburgh, Scotland;E-mail: B.Sloan@napier.ac.uk