MASS Systems unveils Internet-enabled FM with ARCHIBUS/FM and EBIS

Citation

(2001), "MASS Systems unveils Internet-enabled FM with ARCHIBUS/FM and EBIS", Facilities, Vol. 19 No. 1/2. https://doi.org/10.1108/f.2001.06919aab.010

MASS Systems unveils Internet-enabled FM with ARCHIBUS/FM and EBIS

MASS Systems unveils Internet-enabled FM with ARCHIBUS/FM and EBIS

Keywords: Information management, Internet, Property industry, Assets

In a major development programme harnessing the capabilities of the Internet and ARCHIBUS/FM's CAD and database technology, MASS Systems in close co-operation with the University of Edinburgh has developed EBIS, the Estates & Buildings Information System.

ARCHIBUS/FM is already used extensively by facilities managers world-wide for the management of space, assets, property and building maintenance across multiple sites. Now EBIS adds an extra dimension to the industry-standard system by providing a fully integrated, Internet-enabled estates and facilities management solution for space, assets and maintenance that also interfaces with finance, personnel and administration systems.

Integration with and rationalisation of existing university systems were important features in the development of EBIS, as was the ability to provide facilities, asset, financial and space management information to all departments. Now, 18 months after the start of the project, the university's key areas of capital projects, repairs and maintenance, stock control, facilities help desk, asset register and centralised room booking are all benefiting from the new system. The first phase of EBIS included:

• •

  a building asset register of more than 200 buildings and over 20,000 rooms;

• •

  room and equipment booking, which resulted in more than 100,000 booking references generated in six months;

• •

  Internet-enabled room booking, which provides easy access for janitors and servitors; and

• •

  AutoCAD drawings interface.

Phase two, involving contract ordering, invoice processing, reactive maintenance, timesheets and stores control, followed together with a site-wide Web Repair Line.

The system comprises five integrated modules which can be implemented individually as required:

1. 1.

   space utilisation and central room booking;

2. 2.

   Internet-enabled room booking;

3. 3.

   maintenance management;

4. 4.

   Internet-enabled helpdesk; and

5. 5.

   financial control.

Lesley Weaver, EBIS project co-ordinator at the University of Edinburgh says: "The single integrated database within EBIS provides easy-to-use information, not only for estates and buildings staff, but also for staff throughout the university, via the Web interfaces. EBIS interfaces with the finance system for organisational details; the personnel system for staff details; and the student record system for details of courses and registration numbers.

"In addition to our improved space utilisation, the projects module allows project managers easy access to budget and spend figures for all projects controlled throughout estates and buildings."

Not only is EBIS producing many benefits for the University of Edinburgh, but the close cooperation between MASS Systems and the university has resulted in a joint marketing agreement to promote the system to the wider educational and corporate communities.

The computer integrated facilities management (CIFM) system, ARCHIBUS/FM, is already helping facilities managers world-wide to achieve significant reductions in operating costs and to increase efficiency by enabling improved management of buildings and assets. UK customers include the Royal Opera House, the Victoria & Albert Museum, Britannia Asset Management, Nortel, British Energy and numerous educational, healthcare and government establishments.

ARCHIBUS/FM is Internet-enabled and available in modules to suit both need and budget. It can be used to help manage space, assets, building maintenance, financial information, property and lease details, cables and telecommunications and facility design, providing the facilities manager with an easy-to-use and comprehensive set of management tools.

To assist with the implementation process, MASS systems, FM solutions developer and UK distributor for ARCHIBUS/FM, provides full service and support facilities, including project management, consultancy, customization, installation, training, software maintenance and a customer help desk.

For more information please contact Pam Taylor, MASS Systems, 12th Floor, Ocean House, Bracknell, Berkshire RG12 1AX. Te1: +44 (0) 1344 304000; Fax: +44 (0) 01344 304010; Web site: www.mass-systems.co.uk