01732 759725 34 Optimising vendor contracts using data insights can lead to more efficient supply chains and cost reductions – leveraging machine-generated data, businesses can renegotiate supply agreements, ensuring they only pay for actual consumption rather than estimated needs. Cross-departmental co-operation Fostering collaboration between IT and FM can also bring additional benefits – cross-departmental co-operation ensures that teams work together to maximise the potential of these technologies, enhancing overall workplace efficiency. By proactively managing refreshment technologies, IT departments can enhance the workplace experience while reinforcing the company’s broader digital transformation strategy. The future workplace is connected, and IT must ensure that every smart device, even a coffee machine, is part of the bigger picture. Navigating the complexities of IT-FM collaboration and IoT security requires specialist expertise. Todd Associates has a long track record of workspace tech integration and is working with Vending Sense to help customers seamlessly integrate smart IoT-connected refreshment technologies. https://www.toddassociates.co.uk/ www.vendingsense.co.uk Moreover, when refreshment systems are managed solely by FM, businesses miss opportunities to leverage IoT‑generated data. Smart machines can track consumption patterns, predict maintenance needs and automate reordering of supplies. Without IT integration, companies could incur higher operational costs due to the lack of centralised monitoring and analytics. Better security, lower costs To successfully integrate refreshment technologies into the company network, businesses must ensure that all devices comply with IT security policies and operate on segmented networks to minimise cybersecurity risks. By bringing smart refreshment technology jointly under IT’s purview, businesses can shore up security, improve efficiency, and achieve cost savings. IT can enforce network segmentation, firmware updates and access controls to protect these connected devices from cyber threats. Centralised IT management ensures seamless operation, reducing downtime and enabling predictive maintenance. Beyond security, eliminating the need for separate FM-managed networks and consolidating vendor contracts can lead to significant financial benefits. Back in the day, photocopiers were once solely the domain of FM teams, but as soon as they became networked, IT shared joint ownership, unlocking cost savings and realising significant operational efficiencies. The same transformation is now beginning to happen with refreshment technologies. Modern coffee and vending machines offer smart features such as real-time inventory tracking to automate refills and reduce downtime; remote diagnostics and maintenance for proactive servicing; and user authentication for personalised experiences or controlled access. While these IoT-connected devices offer convenience and efficiency, they also require IT oversight to optimise performance, security and cost efficiency. Treating them solely as FM assets is no longer viable, and in fact this type of siloed working can even pose significant business risks. Network-connected Historically, office vending machines and water dispensers were managed by facilities teams, primarily focusing on maintenance and refilling, because network security or data integration weren’t really a consideration in the days before IoT. However, just like smart MFPs, these devices are network-connected, they are equipped with wireless connectivity, payment processing and remote monitoring capabilities – and if not secured properly, can be a weak point in a company’s cybersecurity defences, potentially exposing corporate networks to unauthorised access or cyber-attacks. IoT is revolutionising the workplace, expanding beyond traditional areas like servers, networks and printers, to include smart refreshment technologies – such as coffee makers, vending machines and water dispensers. Steve Todd, CEO at Todd Associates warns that these devices aren’t just facilities assets anymore, they’re an integral part of the IT infrastructure, which means that IT and facilities management (FM) need to co-operate The growing scope of IT OPINION Steve Todd
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDUxNDM=