FAQ General

What is the service chain?
How can I improve my contractor’s service delivery?
How do I monitor service delivery ?
Why use a site terminal and not a PDA?
Is the system easy to use?
How do I get my Contractors to participate?
How many site terminals do I need per building?
What is the point of a web based system?

What is the service chain?

We have all heard of the supply chain, but the service chain is the interaction of how your service providers deliver your service, and the service delivery that you receive.

How can I improve my contractor’s service delivery?

By issuing them with a contract, that measures their service delivery, then measuring that performance using FM Essentials, you can either fine or reward that contractor

How do I monitor service delivery?

To monitor service delivery FM Essentials uses a patented tool called a site terminal. This is basically a touch screen PC and allows instant tracking of when a contractor signs in at site and then signs out.

Why use a site terminal and not a PDA?

By using a site terminal with a fixed IP address, the system automatically knows what site you are in. With PDA technology, although work could be picked up, the PDA is not linked to a specific building. A site terminal also allows site personnel to report faults as well as contractors starting work. Different service providers can all use the same site terminal. With a PDA you would have to make sure everyone of the contractors coming to site had a PDA.

Is the system easy to use?

Yes. We have used the latest human computer interaction (HCI) knowledge to make the service as easy to use as possible, the easiest part being the use of our site terminals, which are designed to be as easy to use as using an ATM.

How do I get my Contractors to participate?

You need to ensure that the Contractors you wish to participate are:
a) Already contracted by you to attend to all site requests for the particular equipment or services within your building(s).
b) They have permanent Internet access at their "helpdesk" or "call centre" or wherever they normally receive site requests by telephone.
c) They are happy to sign up to thefmcompany.com's Contractor Subscription agreement and pay their monthly fees. When they complete their agreement they will confirm over what hours of the day/week they will guarantee responding to site requests by setting ETA's etc and they will agree to the other conditions that form part of the agreement.

How many site terminals do I need per building?

It depends on the size of the building and the individual client. If there is only one point of entry for contractors, a building may only need one site terminal.

What is the point of a web based system?

The advantage of a web based system is that records can be updated and viewed in real-time by authorised personnel via any internet accessible computer