Property consultant: 'Leadership from management is key'

More property owners are investing in digital twins to streamline their operations. Property consultant Kim Hesselius has spent the past year actively mapping information in digital twins in Vyer, working as a subcontractor for a property company. Here he shares his thoughts on digital facility management and what he believes it takes to make the transformation work.

I believe that leadership and engagement from management is key. Then we need to see the value and feel proud of what we do. For me, it is a question of leadership.
— Kim Hesselius

Kim runs his own consultancy and has extensive experience in the industry as both a property manager and maintenance engineer, with responsibility for everything from budgets, projects and investment to maintenance, condition surveys and compliance requirements.

Over the past year he has been involved in mapping components and verifying drawing records in Vyer, as a subcontractor for a property company with digital twins.

I had not come across digital drawings before I started working in Vyer. I think the technology is excellent — it was a new way of looking at drawings. For property owners with large or many properties, it is a fantastic tool.
— Kim Hesselius

I have been around more than 70 properties and go in and do a little every day. It is very straightforward to map information and it goes quickly to get the drawings updated when I report changes.
— Kim Hesselius

How property owners can create the conditions for the technology to be used

During his years in the industry he has worked in many different digital systems. He emphasises the importance of not getting stuck in governing documents, but also ensuring that working methods and routines for regular use in operations and facility management are established so that the benefits of the technology are realised.

You can have as many governing documents and processes as you like, but they are never better than the execution. If no one follows up and updates the information, you are back to zero.
— Kim Hesselius

Kim Hesselius highlights several factors he sees as important for a digital system to gain traction, from the choice of technical solution to practical conditions.

The system needs to be user-friendly and deliver some value immediately. Then you also need access to the right equipment to be able to use it easily.
— Kim Hesselius

He also believes that those leading the digitalisation have significant opportunities to influence staff engagement through early anchoring and leadership.

First and foremost, I think it needs to be presented well — technicians should get to look at it, learn, and get a feel for it. Then it really needs to come out across the organisation that we are going to work in this.
— Kim Hesselius

Working smart frees up time for other things

Kim Hesselius also notes that some people may feel concerned about new technology, which can be reduced by communicating openly about what the technological changes mean and creating a supportive environment.

I believe digitalisation is good for the industry. Some people are worried it will take jobs, but people will always be needed — it is more about streamlining. Digitalisation also creates new jobs, and that should not be forgotten.
— Kim Hesselius

He has seen how roles in operations and facility management are changing as technology develops, and the opportunities that exist to save time, money and reduce environmental impact.

As an operations technician and property technician, the role is moving more towards needing strong data skills and being able to manage systems. Preventive maintenance happens increasingly digitally. As more systems connect to a data control centre, it is more about monitoring and controlling systems remotely and reducing site visits. If something needs to be fixed on site, you call a subcontractor. Technology is exciting — it is constantly evolving. We are also built to evolve, and if you work smart you get more time for other things.
— Kim Hesselius