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Cannon Booms, ICE Is Cool & Mitie Sniffers

Mitie Sniffer Dogs
09 March 2018
 

Canon Business Process Services has a year ahead on-demand webcast for global FM; Cloud Booking has launched a new RFID contactless desk and room booking service; Mitie is looking for the next super sniffer dog; ICE is to inspire young women into civil engineering; and Sodexo has won a contract with Wellspring Academy.

 

FM Challenges And Opportunities In The Year Ahead

In the week ending March 9, Canon Business Process Services announced the availability of an on-demand webcast that highlights challenges and opportunities in the year ahead for facilities management professionals.

The webcast, 'Facilities Management Trends, Challenges and Opportunities in 2018,' spotlights how companies are migrating to more agile workplaces in order to recruit new talent, create a more collaborative workplace and contain real estate costs.

Achieving these results requires providing employees with high-level facilities services - a more demanding task in an agile workplace than a traditional business environment. This scenario is presenting facilities management executives with complex challenges.

The webcast examines these trends and offers insights from facility executives including what they consider to be their top priorities in the days ahead.

To view the webcast - Click Here

 

The Road Ahead

A White Paper in the same name as the webcast , features important research and feedback from facility executives including tools and techniques that might provide an edge in achieving their goals; facilities management activities that pose the greatest challenge to success; and  possible hidden opportunities for driving continuous improvement in delivering exceptional support services.

To download the White Paper - Click Here

 
Contactless FM

Cloud Booking, a technology company providing agile solutions to corporations, has launched a new real-time contactless desk and room booking check-in service using Radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology – a first in facilities management industry they say.  

The new solution, which lets users book a desk or room by simply placing their laptop down on the desk they want, or tapping their card on one of the Cloudbooking interactive booking kiosks, provides real-time data and management information on usage and occupancy, therefore helping users to get better utilisation from their desks and rooms; thus improving efficiency.

The desk booking solution is deployed through passive RFID stickers, which can be placed on a user’s laptop, meaning that each user can just turn up at a desk, place their laptop down and begin working – it’s that simple. A sensor will detect their laptop, check them in, and book that desk for the whole day. If the user decides to leave before the day is up, the desk will be held for two hours, before the systems releases it and it’s able to be used by someone else.

Users can also use their smartcard to book a desk or room. Cloudbooking desk booking kiosks, which feature colleague search, employee smart card authentication, and a 3D floorplan, can be positioned as you enter each floor, meaning users simply tap their card on the screen, select a desk, sit down and start using it!  

This contactless desk and room booking check-in service means that not only do users no longer have to pre-book a desk or room, but if they do book one and they don’t show up for whatever reason, the system can release that desk and make it available to other staff members.

 
New Partnership To Inspire Young Women Into Civil Engineering

ICE Northern Ireland has partnered with Girlguiding Ulster in support of International Women’s Day and ICE 200 to enable girls to explore the world of civil engineering.

Supported by sponsors Arup, Doran Consulting, GRAHAM, and Ulster University, ICE has produced activity packs and civil engineering badges for all Girlguiding units across Northern Ireland.

The packs include fun, educational engineering activities for all levels of Girlguiding – Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and the Senior Section. ICE Fellow Pippa Higgins developed the activities and badges for the packs.

ICE Northern Ireland’s female members will also be sharing their passion for civil engineering by visiting units to speak about their experiences.

“This partnership is all about inspiring young women and girls,” says Girlguiding Ulster Chief Commissioner Brenda Herron. “By introducing the units to real female civil engineers we want girls to visualise themselves working in these sectors – having female role models is crucial to achieving that.”

Northern Ireland has a serious shortage of STEM skills, with IT and civil engineering facing the biggest undersupply over the next 10 years. ICE and other industry bodies are endeavouring to recruit more young people by championing apprenticeships and alternative routes to qualification. However, being able to attract and retain women is also key to addressing the shortages.

“Women account for half the population and we want to see that reflected in Northern Ireland’s STEM sector,” says ICE Regional Director Richard Kirk. “It’s a matter of showing girls not only that it’s possible but that it’s desirable and full of opportunities for them.”

 

Mitie Seeks Sniffer Dogs

As the great and the good of the dog world descended on Birmingham's NEC Arena for Crufts (March 8-11), Mitie called on dog lovers across the UK to celebrate the great work done by the underdogs in the service world. 

These canine partners work tirelessly to sniff out the things humans hate. From detecting rodents to bed bug infestations, Mitie relies on its four-legged friends to identify issues quickly and accurately, so human intervention can be swift to eradicate the pests. 

A dog's nose has over 40 olfactory receptors and is over 1,000 times more sensitive than that of a human, making smell detection light work for man's best friend.  A sniffer dog's accuracy saves his human colleagues' time, as well as ensuring a more targeted approach. 

For many businesses, persistent pest problems can damage property, spread disease, ruin reputation and even lead to prosecution. Last year, Mitie's super-hero hounds worked doggedly visiting over 400 properties.

One 'best in breed' is Ted, the two-year-old Labrador, who takes the guesswork out of bed bug infestation detection. With a sense of smell far superior to that of mere mortals, and a 98% detection accuracy rate compared with the naked human eye, Ted's sniffing skills are an invaluable asset to Mitie's pest control business. He travels around the country from Bognor Regis to Blackpool with his handler, tackling problems for hotels and hospitals.

Archie the Springer Spaniel has spent the last 9 years honing his special skill - identifying mice infestations in a range of premises from University halls of residence to nursing homes. After a long and illustrious career, Archie has retired and is now living at home in Manchester with his son, Denzel. 

With Archie putting his paws up, Mitie's pest control business is recruiting for the next generation of sniffer dogs to continue the good work. The dog handling team are on the lookout for obedient and good-natured candidates with enthusiasm and drive. 

Jonathan Lockwood, Regional Manager for Mitie's pest control business, said: “Our dogs are much loved in the Mitie pest control business, but many people don’t realise the key role they play. It's great to celebrate these unsung heroes whose skill and expertise is unparalleled. They bound in to work every day and you can't help but be inspired by their infectious enthusiasm. We hope to find another star sniffer dog." 

 
Wellspring Academy Trust

Sodexo has won a three year, £3.9 million contract with Wellspring Academy Trust in Yorkshire and the Humber region, to manage and deliver catering and hospitality services across initially 12 schools.

The schools will benefit from Sodexo’s new modern school food offer, Food & Co. by Sodexo, which moves away from tradition and has been developed following research conducted with pupils in key stages 2, 3 and 4 (ages 7-16) to understand the type of food they like, how they would like to eat it, as well as their preferred dining environment and experience.

Picture: Mitie sniffer dogs

Article written by Brian Shillibeer | Published 09 March 2018

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