One-size-fits-all or best-of-breed?
IWMS (Integrated Workplace Management System) has been defined as an enterprise platform that supports the planning, design, management, utilization and disposal of an organization’s location based assets. In this era of “do more with less” and single-source providers, implementing a single solution to govern all workplace resources, including the management of a company's real estate portfolio, infrastructure and facilities assets just makes sense. Or does it?
Providers of suite-based IWMS solutions heavily promote the value of their fully integrated one-solution-fits-all approach to IWMS. Best-of-breed suppliers, on the other hand, tout flexibility and the value of deeper functionality and lower risk implementation in their approach. Which is better? And how does a corporate real estate executive decide which direction is right for their operation?
To avoid the documented horror stories of failed software implementations, cost overruns, implementation delays and systems that fail to deliver on the functionality promise, a strong dose of practicality is in order. Generating an answer to the “What’s the best approach for me?” question might require taking a step back from the technology to better understand the underlying business reasons for considering such an investment. A number of factors deserve serious consideration before making a go or no-go decision related to IWMS, including:
- Organizational structure
- Detailed and specific information management needs
- Existing system and IT infrastructure
