Internet editorial

Citation

Gilleard, J.D. (1999), "Internet editorial", Facilities, Vol. 17 No. 3/4. https://doi.org/10.1108/f.1999.06917cag.001

Internet editorial

When I was asked to write an Internet editorial it was suggested that I adopt an Asian theme. However, although Web sites have a regional service provider, those of us who use the Web frequently hardly seem to notice the physical location. Consequently I have identified a number of bookmarks that I consider of value to all facility managers.

Fast Company Magazine(http://www.fastcompany.com/)

A year ago in Dallas at World Workplace 97, I heard Alan M. Webber deliver a keynote address to an early morning audience of facilities managers. Alan inspired us with his vision of the future of work. Without notes, and thoroughly relaxed, he talked for an hour about Fast Company, the US-based business magazine that he helped to found. His talk inspired me to seek out Fast Company and to read it from cover-to-cover. In the last year I cannot say that I have once come across the term facilities management. However, each month I have to acknowledge that the editors and contributors add something of importance to all facility managers. Editions that stick out in my mind are the October 97 and the November 98 ones. The first because it dealt with "customer care" in a lucid and dramatic way, reminding all of us that without customers we have no business. The latter posed the rhetorical question "what is the future of business". The magazine has an excellent Web site, including an online chat line forum.

International Facility Management Association(http://www.ifma.org/) and (http://www.ifmahk.org.hk/)

It is doubtful whether facilities management would have developed as quickly as it has in Hong Kong without the help of IFMA. From a beginning in 1992 the local Chapter has grown to over 150 members. It is an active group, helping to organize seminars and workshops, an annual Asian FM conference as well as publishing a regular online newsletter. This year the Chapter received IFMA's small Chapter of the Year award. The IFMA headquarter Web site deals with a wide range of member and non-member activities. From 1 January it will also host two online interactive self-learning programmes in facility management.

FM DATACOM(http://fmdata/)

FM DATACOM is an online monthly magazine for facility management professionals. Typical features include a "What's new" feature; an online conference; a building project file; and a benchmarking survey section. The last section requires a user password. (I obtained mine by submitting a short review article on the development of FM in Hong Kong.) The benchmarking segment is excellent. Current benchmarking surveys under review are corporate-level facility costs; cost of moves; CAFM software; and using Internet technology for corporate services.

HAWORTH(http://www.haworth-furn.com/)

HERMAN MILLER(http://www.hermanmiller.com/)

STEELCASE(http://www.steelcase.com/)

KNOLL(http://www.knoll.com)

Facility management without the help and assistance of the North American furniture community would be a lesser place. All four Web sites seek to explore current issues impacting workplace trends. Each also contain downloadable (and free) research papers on a range of topics from ergonomics in the office, IAQ and other environmental issues through likely Y2K problems.

VIGERS(http://www.vigershk.com/)

If you are interested in Asia's property sector a number of companies have useful Web sites that help facility managers. One that I visit on a regular basis is Vigers. The site has an excellent daily news update, reviewing Hong Kong and region's property news. It also publishes online market analysis and feasibility studies.