The backbone of effective property management lies in the ability to promptly address and resolve issues. From a faulty HVAC system to potential hazards in a warehouse, timely interventions ensure smooth operations and safeguard your property’s value. At the center of this intricate dance is the work order management system.
Old-school work order systems – for instance, ones backed by Excel spreadsheets – often lead to delays in communication, tasks falling through the cracks due to manual tracking, potential misplacements, and often a lack of real-time transparency. On the other hand, next-gen digital work order management systems leverage technology to streamline, optimize, and enhance the entire lifecycle of a work order.
Welcome to streamlined work orders in the digital age.
7 key benefits of a work order management system
When the scale of operations can be staggering, the ability to swiftly address and manage issues is not just a convenience — it’s a necessity. Industrial property teams – especially as they continue to scale portfolios – can tap into work order management software to help take the chaos out of building operations.
Here are seven key benefits of a work order management system.
1. Instant creation and assignment
Digital systems allow for the rapid creation of work orders. Whether generated by an inspection, a tenant, or routine checks, these work orders can be instantly assigned to the appropriate team or vendor.
2. Automated prioritization
Based on the severity or type of issue, the system can automatically prioritize work orders, ensuring that critical tasks are addressed immediately.
3. Real-time tracking
Stakeholders – such as property team members, vendors, and tenants alike – can track the progress of a work order in real-time. This ensures timely interventions, keeps all parties updated, and drastically reduces resolution times.
4. Integrated communication
Work order management technology often includes communication tools, allowing seamless interaction between property managers, vendors, and tenants, all within one platform.
5. Centralized database
All work orders, be it past or present, are stored in a centralized digital database. This aids in quick retrievals, analytics, and provides an organized record of all maintenance and repair work.
6. Mobile accessibility
Modern work order management systems are accessible via mobile devices. This on-the-go access ensures that technicians in the field can update the status, view details, and even close orders without the need for physical paperwork.
7. Reporting and analytics
The work order management system can generate reports highlighting trends, recurrent issues, and even vendor performance. This data-driven approach can inform preventive maintenance strategies and optimize operational efficiency.
Work orders in the digital age
A work order management system optimizes and streamlines your industrial building operations by:
- Enabling you to know at-a-glance which items require immediate attention or have been on hold too long
- Allowing you to quickly track work order status and assign work based on priority levels
- Auto-flagging duplicate work orders to save time and money for teams
- Empowering tenants with visibility into work order completion times and status updates
Download the “Industrial CRE technology guide” to discover the right building operations software to streamline the management of your sprawling assets and industrial portfolios.
