Stuart O'Brien, Author at Facilities Management Forum

Zip Water launches innovative drinking water solution for new era of touch-free workplaces

11th November 2020

With employers searching to create COVID-secure workplaces for staff to return to work safely, Zip Water have created the HydroTap Touch Free Wave; a contactless drinking water solution that delivers instant filtered boiling, chilled and sparkling water.

Reduce contact points in the workplace

Available in the UK from December, the new Zip HydroTap Touch Free Wave is a 100% contactless drinking water solution and is the latest innovation in the flagship HydroTap range. With health and hygiene now an absolute priority in the workplace, the Zip HydroTap Touch Free Wave allows employees to stay hydrated and healthy, while avoiding surface contact to minimise the risk of virus transmission.

Smart infrared sensors detect hand movements when in a 1.5 – 5cm range of the tap, with water flow stopping immediately once the hand is moved away. The tap also features a contactless safety lock for the delivery of boiling water. Boiling water is only dispensed once two of the four sensors are engaged, activated by cupping a hand around the back of the tap.

New innovation for a changing world

Victoria Himsworth, Head of Marketing, explains that Zip HydroTap Touch Free Wave was developed as an immediate response to new emerging needs in the UK and global marketplace.

“We’re proud of how quickly we have been able to respond and deliver a market-leading solution to an urgent real-world problem. Businesses must do everything possible to improve hygiene and cleanliness in the workplace, following the latest Health and Safety Executive guidelines, in scenarios where employees cannot work from home. With the average person touching their face more than 20 times an hour, it’s possible to transfer viruses from everyday objects, such as handles and taps, to the mouth and eyes, and vice versa. Investing in the HydroTap Touch Free Wave encourages employees to keep hydrated, without the worry of cross-contamination.”

Find out more about the Zip HydroTap Touch Free Wave.

INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT: FSI CAFM/IWMS software

By: Stuart O'Brien

10th November 2020

By FSI

Established in 1990, FSI is a global leader in CAFM/IWMS software.

Our product range includes:

Concept Evolution: core CAFM/IWMS solution for total building management, from a single site to a global portfolio.

Mobile Workforce Apps: Extend the functionality of Concept Evolution and third-party integrated systems to your mobile workforce.

Workplace Apps: suite of apps, designed to encourage the entire workplace community to contribute to the success of the facilities they occupy, as well as to connect CAFM/IWMS technology to your business via end users and their smartphones. Effective and successful FM is put directly in the hands of all those on the receiving end.

For more information, visit: www.fsifm.com

Looking for HVAC solutions? The FM Forum Recommended Supplier Directory can help!

By: Stuart O'Brien

10th November 2020

Looking for new Heating & Ventilation solutions for your building, venue, school or company? The FM Forum Recommended Supplier Directory is home to dozens of trusted partners ready to help make your project a reality!

Put simply, there’s something to suit every requirement.

Start Your Search Now

Are you an FM supplier? Get listed!

The FM Forum Recommended Supplier Directory is the perfect platform to raise your organisation’s profile and extend your reach.

Promoted via the FM Briefing newsletter, website and our renowned meet-the-buyer facilities events – this digital FM directory offers a comprehensive list of industry solution leaders.

For a short period of time, your business can now be included in the FM Directory for FREE!

In these times of uncertainty for everyone, we are offering support to the industry by providing a free listing for a 3-month period, to support businesses through these difficult circumstances.

Click Here To Get Listed!

Or, for more information, please contact Paige Aitken on 01992 374079 or p.aitken@forumevents.co.uk

Learn, engage & connect at the Facilities Management Forum

By: Stuart O'Brien

10th November 2020

The Facilities Management Forum allows you to learn, engage, and connect with your industry, via a series of online meetings with solution providers and insightful webinars.

This innovative digital concept is the most time effective way to meet suppliers whilst working from your home or office.

Date: 25th & 26th January 2021
Time: 09:00 – 13:05
Location: Virtual

It is completely flexible, you can attend for one or both half days – we create your bespoke itinerary around your diary!

Simply register your free pass via our short booking form and we will arrange valuable online meetings for you – condensing months of work into one day.

VINCI targets 40% carbon emissions reduction with electric fleet

By: Stuart O'Brien

28th October 2020

VINCI Construction UK has accelerated its drive towards its target of 40% reduction in carbon emissions with the delivery of its first tranche of Polestar 2s.

Six cars were delivered to the VINCI plc headquarters in Watford and another seven are on order. This batch of Polestars is for the senior team, who it says are leading by example. The company says the electric vehicles are just a small part of its wider environmental strategy that is advocating a switch to EVs where it is suitable.

VINCI is inviting all employees to make the transition to zero carbon transport and provides an EV option at every grade of company car allowance across the business. Anyone can make the switch provided they can park their new car off road at their home address for ease of charging and undertake less than 40,000 km (or 25,000 miles) on the road each year. Vehicles are available to VINCI drivers with a range from the Polestar through to a Vauxhall Corsa.

Last week saw colleagues from VINCI’s building, facilities management and civil engineering teams take deliveries – the company believes there might be as many as 100 EVs delivered to the business by the first quarter of 2021. The Polestar 2, chosen by senior teams, has a WLTP (Worldwide Harmonised Light-vehicle Test Procedure) range of 292 miles with a 78-kwh dual motor and is four-wheel drive.

VINCI Construction UK is working with Actemium, part of VINCI Energies, to install fast chargers to its offices and Pod Point have been installing home charging points for our employees at home. The next step is to target the commercial vehicle fleet, something that VINCI Facilities and the VINCI Fleet department is already researching and investing in.

Fusion21 unveils £1.1bn Workplace & Facilities Framework

By: Stuart O'Brien

28th October 2020

Fusion21 has announced the launch of a national Workplace & Facilities Framework – worth up to £1.1 billion over a four-year period and is now inviting bids from interested suppliers.

Designed to meet the facilities management needs of a wide range of public sector organisations in the blue light, central government, education, health, housing and local authority sectors, the framework is closely aligned with market requirements.

As procurement and social entity’s first ever £1bn+ framework, opportunities are available for both large organisations and SMEs. Lots 1 and 2 are multi-sourcing options that allow the appointment of a service provider to deliver multiple services (bundled or TFM) incorporating elements of physical asset management, service management and process management.

Lots 3 to 6 offer individual services and will allow interested suppliers to bid for lots specific to their capability.

The full lot structure includes:

Lot 1 – FM Principal Contractor

Lot 2 – FM Managing Agent

Lot 3 – Cleaning & Washroom Services

Lot 4 – Security Services

Lot 5 – Waste Management

Lot 6 – Building Engineering Services (M&E)

Providing geographical coverage across the UK, suppliers can bid for the lots suited to their delivery models and areas of technical expertise. The framework includes flexible call-off processes with options for both Direct Awards and Further Competitions.

Peter Francis, Director of Operations at Fusion21 said: “Set for launch in February 2021, this framework has been developed in response to market demand – reflecting feedback provided from both our members and the supply chain. It marks the next stage in developing Fusion21’s FM offer which has grown from strength to strength over recent years.

“Fusion21 is an established framework provider that is well respected throughout the public sector. Our procurement teams are experienced technical experts in their fields that understand the needs of suppliers when tendering and a contributor to our success is how we work for the mutual benefit of our suppliers and members.”

Fusion21 welcomes applications from interested organisations that meet the criteria set out in the tender documentation now available on the Delta e-Sourcing Portal via the following link – https://fusion21.delta-esourcing.com/respond/9J944F9RB3”.

The submission deadline is Wednesday 9^th December 2020 at 12 noon.

Looking for Health & Safety solutions? The FM Forum Recommended Supplier Directory can help!

By: Stuart O'Brien

26th October 2020

Looking for new Health & Safety solutions for your building, venue, school or company? The FM Forum Recommended Supplier Directory is home to dozens of trusted partners ready to help make your project a reality!

Put simply, there’s something to suit every requirement.

Start Your Search Now

Are you an FM supplier? Get listed!

The FM Forum Recommended Supplier Directory is the perfect platform to raise your organisation’s profile and extend your reach.

Promoted via the FM Briefing newsletter, website and our renowned meet-the-buyer facilities events – this digital FM directory offers a comprehensive list of industry solution leaders.

For a short period of time, your business can now be included in the FM Directory for FREE!

In these times of uncertainty for everyone, we are offering support to the industry by providing a free listing for a 3-month period, to support businesses through these difficult circumstances.

Click Here To Get Listed!

Or, for more information, please contact Paige Aitken on 01992 374079 or p.aitken@forumevents.co.uk

Facilities Management Forum: Claim your place at January’s virtual event!

By: Stuart O'Brien

26th October 2020

Monday 25th January 2021

The Forum allows senior FM professionals to share forward-thinking ideas, meet new partners and discover new ways to underpin their strategies.

Your bespoke place is entirely free and includes benefits such as;

Prepare for every eventuality – We can build you a bespoke 1-2-1 itinerary of meetings with innovative and budget savings suppliers who match your requirements.
Gaining industry insight – Enjoy a series of topical webinars led by industry thought leaders.
Flexibility – Your attendance is flexible, you can either attend for half a day or the full day.
Save time – We will handle everything for you, saving you time and money by arranging all the meetings for you based on your requirements.

Click here to secure your virtual place.

You can register for your place via our short booking form or if you have any questions, please get in touch.

Do you specialise in Business Continuity solutions? We want to hear from you!

By: Stuart O'Brien

26th October 2020

Each month on FM Briefing we’re shining the spotlight on a different part of the facilities management market – and in November we’ll be focussing on Business Continuity solutions.

It’s all part of our ‘Recommended’ editorial feature, designed to help FM industry buyers find the best products and services available today.

So, if you specialise in Business Continuity solutions and would like to be included as part of this exciting new shop window, we’d love to hear from you – for more info, contact Paige Aitken on p.aitken@forumevents.co.uk.

Here’s our full features list:

Nov – Business Continuity
Dec – Fire & Safety Equipment
Jan – Health & Safety
Feb – Building Maintenance & Refurbishment
Mar – Cleaning
Apr – Total FM
May – Energy Management
June – Security
Jul – Air Conditioning
Aug – Waste Management
Sep – Asset Management
Oct – FM Software
Nov – Intruder & Alarm Systems
Dec – Fire & Safety Equipment

WEBINAR: AI And Analytics In Video Surveillance

By: Stuart O'Brien

15th October 2020

Want to hear from Tony Porter, Surveillance Camera Commissioner and Philip Ingram MBE in conversation? Catch Tony in one of his final public appearances in his role and hear Philip share insight into the Salisbury poisoning.