CAFM (computer-aided facility management)

CAFM, short for computer-aided facility management, is software that supports the whole facility management function rather than maintenance alone. Typical modules cover space and occupancy planning (often on floor plans or CAD drawings), asset registers, planned and reactive maintenance, a helpdesk for requests, room and desk booking, moves, and soft services such as cleaning, catering and security.

Example

A facility management company runs a corporate headquarters. In its CAFM system, the facility manager sees which floors are occupied, logs a helpdesk ticket when a meeting room’s air conditioning fails, schedules the weekly deep clean of the washrooms, and reports to the client on how many requests were closed within target.

How CAFM differs from neighbouring terms

• CMMS: focused on maintaining assets. CAFM usually includes CMMS-type features and adds space and services.
• Building management system: in the automation sense, it controls equipment in real time. CAFM manages the people and processes around the building.
• IWMS (integrated workplace management system): a broader suite that adds real estate, lease and capital project management on top of CAFM-type functions.
• Facility management: the discipline itself. CAFM is one of the tools used to practise it.

Where TaskLoop fits

TaskLoop overlaps with the helpdesk and task side of CAFM: requests are logged, assigned to staff or departments, tracked in real time, escalated when overdue and reported on. It is not a space-planning or CAD tool. Facility management teams that mainly need service requests to reach the right technician quickly can use it on its own or next to the systems they already have. See facility management companies.