The History and Objectives of VisionFM
In 1989 Computer Aided Facilities Management (CAFM) was almost completely unknown. The management of Vision, being from the architectural field, recognized the potential benefits of CAFM and formed a company to create custom developed systems and provide integration services for existing CAFM software. By 1994 several CAFM software packages were on the market, but they all shared three common flaws; they were difficult to use , high priced, and restrictive in their licensing.
Industry surveys showed that over 75% of attempts to implement CAFM into a company ended up failing. There were a number of reasons given for the high failure rate, but we found the primary cause to be the software itself. CAFM software was generally expensive, demanding thousands of dollars for each user, each module and each utility. Licensing costs forced Facilities Managers to choose who would have access to information even though a much larger group could benefit and actually add value to the system.
The result was that the CAFM system became an island of information with limited functionality. A trait which may be acceptable for an accounting system where only a few people need access, but Facilities Management encompasses space planning, asset management, office moves, leasing, policies, work orders, contractors, preventative maintenance, construction, telecommunications, etc. Facilities Management software is an information system which needs to share information with every facet of building operations for it to become valuable.
four main objectives...
Vision Facilities Management Limited was founded in 1994 with the intention of providing a new software devoid of these issues, essentially revolutionizing the way companies implement CAFM. There were four main objectives:
- Incorporate Site Licensing : Information undoubtedly becomes more accurate and more valuable if shared throughout an organization, so a site-license model was built in order to share the system.
- Include All Application Modules: With all application modules included, the CAFM system is able to grow at exactly the pace intended by the Facilities Manager, a comfortable pace based on available resources and time, without having to justify additional software purchases.
- Create Reasonable Pricing: Keeping the software purchase price as low as it is keeps it within the budget of most Facilities Managers, reducing the length of the approval process and greatly increasing return-on-investment.
- Make the Software Easy to Use: A site licensed software means that more people will be accessing the system. VisionFM’s interface is incredibly easy to use, and VisionFM links to industry standard software such as AutoCAD and Crystal Reports, that employees may already know how to use.
Immediately upon release of the system VisionFM's simple and effective models caught on, and people began to benefit from the open system. Before long, companies were replacing their old systems with this new one. Today, with successful implementations in numerous industries, governments, school boards, hospitals, universities and organizations, growth is continuing, and it is now one of the most valued and sought after tools in the industry.
The world of computers in the workplace is changing on a daily basis. VisionFM is dedicated to creating real-world solutions from the latest technologies and making them available to the Facilities Management department. Grasping new technologies is all part of the plan, with ongoing research on the latest and most beneficial systems available.
With a solid plan, a real strategy, great people, and an industrious research program, VisionFM looks forward to, once again, developing the next generation of CAFM software, the next one after that, and the next one after that.