Understanding the SoftBank 5-I’s: A Guide for Building and Facility Management Companies
In the world of Building and Facility Management (FM), technology is rapidly evolving, bringing about innovative solutions to traditional challenges. However, the real magic lies not just in the technology itself but in how it is implemented and leveraged to solve specific problems. This is where the concept of the SoftBank Robotics 5-I’s comes into play.
What Are the 5-I’s?
The 5-I’s framework is designed to help customers, especially end users within building and FM companies, understand the full spectrum of what we do. It’s a structured approach to ensure that our solutions are not only presented but also understood and appreciated for the value they bring. Let’s break down the 5-I’s:
1. Information
2. Insights
3. Instruction
4. Innovation
5. Implementation
1. Information
The first step is to gather information. In the rush to offer solutions, companies often overlook the importance of clearly defining the issues that need to be addressed. For FM companies, this means understanding the specific pain points of their operations or the needs of their occupants. Currently, FM companies lack comprehensive measures for their cleaning operations, focusing narrowly on metrics like time and attendance, supervision, experience comparison, P&L, and perception-based standards outputs. The significant gap lies in the failure to measure the costliest asset: the cleaner's performance during their work. This leads to inefficiencies and time loss. It also means FM companies struggle to provide proof of clean. Gathering comprehensive information sets the stage for effective solutions.
2. Insights
Once the information is gathered, the next step is to derive insights. This involves a thorough analysis of the data collected. For FM companies, this could mean conducting detailed assessments of building systems, analyzing sensor data, and engaging with stakeholders to gain a deep understanding of the issues. These insights ensure that the proposed solutions are rooted in real data and actual needs. There is often a lack of integration with these approaches. SoftBank helps deliver these insights by creating a holistic view and harness the ability to drive actionable data.
3. Instruction
With a clear understanding of the problem and actionable insights, we move on to instruction. This is where we develop a detailed plan or strategy to address the identified issues. Traditional frequency-based cleaning schedules are inefficient, relying on estimations rather than actual needs, leading to either under or over-cleaning. How accurate are your specifications to what your cleaner does? How do you organise your staff based around the building need?
The instruction stage involves moving towards a more demand-led process – where actions are triggered by specific needs. Outlining the steps necessary to implement the solutions, providing guidelines and best practices, and ensuring that everyone involved understands their role in the process. Instruction is crucial for aligning efforts and resources towards a common goal.
4. Innovation
Armed with information, insights, and a clear plan of instruction, we can now focus on innovation. This is where our expertise and technology come into play. We develop tailored solutions using advanced robotics, cutting-edge sensors, and sophisticated software platforms. Innovation is not just about creating something new; it’s about creating something that effectively addresses the identified problem. With our technical and robotics expertise we can effectively make recommendations specific to your location requirements, for optimum productivity output.
5. Implementation
Implementation is often where many companies falter. It’s not enough to have a great solution; it must be integrated seamlessly into existing systems and workflows. This is our unique selling point. We don’t just hand over technology; we work closely with our clients to ensure successful implementation. Our tech expertise, ownership, and ability to invest in the process make all the difference. We partner with FM companies to make change happen, ensuring that the solution is not only implemented but is effective and sustainable.
The 5-I’s framework is more than a process; it’s a philosophy that underscores our approach to solving problems in the building and FM sector. By focusing on identifying the real issues, investigating thoroughly, innovating with purpose, implementing effectively, and continually improving, we ensure that our solutions deliver maximum value.
In a field where the expertise of FM companies lies in managing people and facilities, partnering with us brings in the necessary technological edge. Our role is to complement their strengths, providing the technical know-how and implementation support to drive meaningful change.
Through the 5-I’s, we don’t just offer solutions; we offer a pathway to smarter, more efficient, and more sustainable building and facility management.