We surveyed FM professionals across 19 industries, and let’s just say their answers were… surprising.
From Portugal and Spain to France, Brazil, the UK, and a solid mix of African and South American nations, our survey spans the globe. With 75% of respondents in leadership positions, these insights come from the people driving the industry forward. We asked them the hard questions, and they gave it to us straight—raw, unfiltered, and sometimes brutally honest.
Despite the wide range of perspectives and opinions, the trends shaping the FM world are clear. Some signal exciting progress, while others reveal hurdles the industry must prepare to face.
As these trends reshape the industry landscape, forward-thinking FM professionals are recognizing that a comprehensive cafm system isn’t just nice to have—it’s becoming essential for staying competitive in this evolving market.
Want to know where you stand among the top 1%? Get the full report.
Advanced tech, underwhelming results
You’ve probably heard and seen all the flashy buzzwords—smart building systems, IoT devices, advanced analytics— aka the fancy tech that’s supposedly revolutionising facility management software. When FM teams were asked how they actually feel about these tech advancements, the results didn’t live up to the hype.
Yes, 84% of FM teams are using tech like cmms software to manage buildings, but only a sad 16% think their analytics tools are providing value. Ouch.
41% of data analytics and reporting tool users feel disconnected or disappointed. And while everyone sees AI and automation as the next big thing (67% believe AI will shape FM in the next five years), over half of them (53%) don’t even have the budget to make it happen. Not quite the big tech leap we’ve been waiting for…
Cost drives decisions — even the most strategic ones
Budget limitations are steering the ship in FM. Over 60% of respondents say cutting operational costs is their top priority, and 67% track cost savings as their second most important KPI.
For 76% of FM companies, cost even dictates supplier choice. Yet, 56% say the biggest challenge is to find dependable suppliers.
When every penny counts and supplier reliability is questionable, smart FM teams are turning to inventory management software to squeeze maximum value from their resources and stop the budget bleeding.
Slashing budgets means making tough choices. Whether postponing tech upgrades, shelving sustainability projects, or scaling back hiring, the impact of tight budgets is felt across the board.
FM teams are stuck in “survival mode,” prioritising short-term savings over long-term gains. So when it comes to making bold moves, it seems the wallet gets the final say.
FM’s biggest blind spot
FM is tough, and every professional in the field knows it’s not just long hours and tight deadlines. It’s scrambling to find a contractor at 2 a.m. because the sprinkler system burst. It’s fielding angry calls from tenants when the HVAC decides to retire on the hottest day of summer. In moments like these, clear, fast communication can make all the difference.
When chaos strikes at the worst possible moment, having the right tools becomes non-negotiable. That’s why savvy FM teams rely on field service management software to coordinate their response teams and turn crisis management into controlled execution.
As a matter of fact, nearly half of work delays (48%) stem from miscommunication. Despite its importance, our survey found that communication is frequently underestimated. Only 18% of respondents are willing to call out their lousy vendor communication while 74% fail to see how communication gaps hurt stakeholder engagement.
Beyond the operational headaches, there’s another silent killer lurking: regulatory non-compliance. Smart FM teams are increasingly relying on compliance management software to stay ahead of requirements and avoid the costly surprises that come with violations.
But the consequences of poor communication go far beyond delayed projects. Miscommunication is literally stomping on everything you’re trying to build. Client trust, supplier relationships, workforce morale, maintenance efficiency… In short, it’s crushing the prosperity of your business.
Our report lays it all bare: where the blind spots are, how they’re quietly sabotaging your operations, and what you can do to fix it. From maintenance to sustainability to health and safety, we’ve packed this report with practical recommendations to help you take back control.
The real story is in the data — download the full report to learn more about the latest developments in all the main areas of FM.