ATLS / How Erland Can Meet a Growing Advanced Tech Company's Evolving Needs by Supporting Its Facilities Team

By Kyle Dupell, Project Executive

At Erland, we understand that the success of any project, especially in the advanced tech market, hinges on a strong partnership with the facilities team. These are the professionals who will maintain the space once it’s completed, ensuring that it supports the company’s operations seamlessly. Our commitment at Erland is to support the strategic and operational administration of buildings, providing each facilities team with the most efficient, economical, and sustainable ways to manage an advanced tech facility. This enables end-users to continue their production and manufacturing of solutions to meet our world’s ever-changing tech needs.

We believe that improving collaboration between a facility manager and a construction manager, architect, or engineer is crucial. This collaboration starts at the very beginning of a project. Involving a facility manager’s perspective in preconstruction meetings can reveal questions and insights that significantly impact the design, layout, materials, and other critical aspects of the project.

Facility managers bring a wealth of knowledge about maintenance requirements and daily operations. Their input during preconstruction can inform many decisions, ensuring that the final design is not only functional but also safe and easy to maintain. This early involvement helps to identify potential issues before they arise, saving time and resources in the long run.

During preconstruction, we work with the facilities teams to perform lifecycle cost analyses on various materials and equipment to provide a clear understanding of the long-term economic impact of different design and product choices. By evaluating the initial costs alongside the projected maintenance, operation, and replacement expenses, we enable informed decision-making that balances upfront investment with long-term savings. This approach ensures that our clients receive the best value over the lifespan of their facilities.

During construction, the facilities team continues to play a vital role. They work closely with the project team, conducting regular site inspections and quality checks to ensure everything is on track. This collaboration includes:

• Verifying Installations & Accessibility: Ensuring that all installations meet the required standards and are easily accessible for future maintenance.
• Overseeing System Start-ups & Testing: Collaborating on the commissioning of systems to verify they function correctly and efficiently.
• Reviewing Warranties, Service Contracts, & Maintenance Plans: Ensuring that all documentation is in place for future reference and use.
• Coordinating Shutdowns for Utility Tie-Ins: Managing the logistics of connecting new systems to existing utilities without disrupting ongoing operations.

One of the most critical roles of a facility manager during construction is to help maintain normal operations. In an advanced tech environment, any disruption can have significant implications. By working closely with the construction team, facility managers help to plan and coordinate activities to minimize downtime and ensure that the company’s operations continue smoothly.

Our partnership with facilities teams prioritizes safety both during construction and for end users, visitors, and facilities team members responsible for maintaining equipment and controls once a project is completed. In the preconstruction phase, we collaborate with the design team to strategically place regularly accessed equipment and controls in an effort to minimize occupational hazards. For example, we avoid positioning ceiling-hung equipment, like fan coil units, directly over workstations or immovable furniture to ensure easy maintenance access and reduce potential safety risks. This proactive approach demonstrates our commitment to creating spaces that are not only operationally efficient but also safe and sustainable for all who use the space.

At Erland, we know that collaborating with a facility manager is essential to a project’s success. Their insights and expertise help to create a space that is not only functional and efficient but also sustainable and easy to maintain. By fostering this collaboration, we can ensure that the facilities we build support the advanced tech companies of today and tomorrow, enabling them to continue developing innovative solutions for our ever-changing world.

For any questions regarding this topic, please contact Kyle Dupell at kdupell@erland.com.