Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TITLE OF INVENTION
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING FACILITIES INCLUDING IMAGE CAPTURE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
moil The present invention relates to a system and method for
evaluating facilities condition and more specifically, to a customizable
system
and method for gathering comprehensive information including image capture
of a facility or group of facilities to enable a user to make informed
decisions
relating to the facilities by embedding professional expertise to impart
knowledge to a user.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Facilities managers face the daunting task of gathering
information relating to the current condition of the facility and facilities
systems
under their management. Often, due to the overwhelming nature of the task
and relatively high level of knowledge required of the vast number of
facilities
systems, facilities managers do not have an accurate picture of the facilities
and the condition of the facilities in their care.
N0031 One of the goals of a facilities manager is to identify problems in
a timely manner, remedy the identified problems at an early stage and project
capital budgets so as to extend the life cycle of the facility. To accomplish
these tasks, facilities managers have traditionally relied upon various
calculations to manipulate Facilities Management Information (FMI) to track
costs and generate capital budgets for the maintenance and construction of
facilities.
[0004] However, the facilities manager typically has had to compile
information in an ad hoc manner, for example, filling out paper questionnaires
or check sheets related to certain buildings systems and entering the
information into, for instance, a spread sheet program. Alternatively,
facilities
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managers have had to hire outside engineers or other professionals to come
into the facility to provide a report on a particular facility including the
facilities
system(s). However, it can be expensive to hire professionals to come into a
facility, do an inspection of a particular system and/or systems and then
furnish a report on the condition and expected life of the particular
system(s).
Still further, some facilities managers have created their own system of
checking certain facilities systems and have hired personnel with particular
expertise with certain systems.
pooq All of these methods, however, are time-consuming and
expensive and do not allow the facilities manager to obtain an accurate
picture of the current condition of a facilities systems in a cost-effective
and
timely manner. In addition, the ad hoc information obtained by various
facilities managers, while somewhat helpful, often is not complete nor is it
provided in an industry standard format. Therefore, if a professional firm is
hired to analyze the current systems in the facilities, often they must
completely reevaluate the facilities systems.
Nom Additionally, facilities managers for facilities utilized by
government agencies and departments are often required to provide a
building survey reports designed to meet federal mandates. For example,
some mandates require government agencies and departments to collect and
report information on all real estate assets owned by the federal government.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] What is desired then is a system and method for providing
accurate building information to a facilities manager relating to facilities
systems.
[0008] It is further desired to provide a system and method allowing a
user with limited knowledge of facilities systems to generate a relatively
accurate report of the current facilities and/or facilities systems.
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[0009] It is still further desired to provide a system and method for
rapidly generating an accurate report of the current facilities systems as a
basis for preparation of capital budgets for the maintenance and construction
of facilities.
[0010] It is yet further desired to provide a system and method allowing
a user with limited knowledge to generate an accurate report of the current
condition of facilities and their systems in a format that is an industry
standard.
[0oll] It is still further desired to provide a system and method for
allowing a user to quickly and easily generate a facilities report to comply
with
industry requirements.
[0012] It is also desired to provide a system and method that allows a
user to generate a facilities report that includes only the particular
building/property surveys the user desires.
[0013] It is further desired to provide a system and method that allows
a user to customize the facilities report to the specifics of the user's
specific
portfolio requirements.
[0014] These and other objects are achieved in one embodiment of the
invention by the provision of a system that presents a user with a facilities
survey comprising a series of questions/options related to various facilities
and/or facilities systems. The user may, in one advantageous embodiment,
access the facilities survey through a webpage with a computer via a network
connection. A series of questions/options are categorized according to the
type of report the user desires to generate, the information associated with
the
particular report and by individual facility system and are designed to guide
the user to look for particularly relevant information to provide an accurate
and
informative facility report. It should be noted that the use of the term
report
may include among other things, numerous different types of information and
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data that may be accessed by a user in virtually any format, whether in a
printed format, or on computer or any other medium such that the information
may be understood by a user. Additionally, the series of questions/options
presented to the user may be altered by the user. For example, rather than
the user being presented with a full range of survey questions/options
relating
to many differing building/property systems, the user may select certain
categories or questions/options to answer to generate a report relating to a
particular system(s).
[0015] As used herein, the following definitions apply to the terms
listed. The term "data" as used herein means any indicia, signals, marks,
symbols, domains, symbol sets, representations, and any other physical form
or forms representing information, whether permanent or temporary, whether
visible, audible, acoustic, electric, magnetic, electromagnetic or otherwise
manifested. The term "data" as used to represent predetermined information
in one physical form shall be deemed to encompass any and all
representations of the same predetermined information in a different physical
form or forms.
[0016] The term "network" as used herein includes both networks and
internetworks of all kinds, including the Internet, and is not limited to any
particular network or inter-network.
[0017] The terms "coupled", "coupled to", and "coupled with" as used
herein each mean a relationship between or among two or more devices,
apparatus, files, programs, media, components, networks, systems,
subsystems, and/or means, constituting any one or more of (a) a connection,
whether direct or through one or more other devices, apparatus, files,
programs, media, components, networks, systems, subsystems, or means,
(b) a communications relationship, whether direct or through one or more
other devices, apparatus, files, programs, media, components, networks,
systems, subsystems, or means, and/or (c) a functional relationship in which
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the operation of any one or more devices, apparatus, files, programs, media,
components, networks, systems, subsystems, or means depends, in whole or
in part, on the operation of any one or more others thereof.
[0018] The terms "first" and "second" are used to distinguish one
element, set, data, object or thing from another, and are not used to
designate
relative position or arrangement in time.
[0019] It should be noted that the term "facility" and "facilities" as used
herein are intended to include real estate and any improvements made
thereon including, for example but not limited to, building(s), infrastructure
associated with the building(s) whether inside or outside of the buildings,
roads, pathways, outdoors recreational areas and systems associated
therewith.
[0020] The terms "Facility Condition Index" or "(FCI)" as used herein is
a grading system used to rate the condition of a facility with a rating of 0.0
equating to a facility in perfect condition and ranging to a rating of 1.0
where
the cost to repair equals the cost to replace the facility.
[0021] The user may, in one advantageous embodiment depending
upon the type of report desired, be presented with a series of options
relating
to, for example, a facility system and/or systems. The series of options may
be related to a particular facility system, such as for example, the windows
in
a building. The user performs a visual inspection of the windows and then
answers questions and/or responds to options presented by the system.
Additional information relating to windows may already be input into the
system. The additional information may include, for example, cost data
associated with repair and or replacement of the windows. Alternatively, the
additional information may include facilities system data information relating
to
the existing building system, such as an identification of the type of window,
manufacturer, model, quantity in the building and previous and/or current
condition, etc. One of the options allows a user to take a picture of the
system
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or device and associate that picture (e.g., a digital picture) with the system
and one or more of the options.
[00221 In the above example, the user is presented with a series of
options/questions by, for example, accessing an Internet webpage, the series
of options relating to the windows in a particular building. After inspecting
the
windows, the user inputs survey information based on the series of options,
which are submitted to the system. The system based on the user's answers,
associates known facilities system data and cost data with the submitted
information/answers to generate a report. The report may provide, for
example, a current status of the particular system, a description of the work
to
be accomplished, and an estimated cost to perform the work. The report may
also include a replacement cost for the window(s), the quantity of windows
needed, and the removal and installation costs for the windows affected. It is
further contemplated that the associated costs could also account for the
geographic location of the facilities as labor costs are known to vary from
one
geographic location to the next. Still further, the associated costs could be
updated in the system on a periodic basis. Additionally, the cost per unit may
be dependent upon the total units to be obtained. In this manner, a facilities
manager is able to provide a relatively complete and accurate report despite
having limited knowledge of the facility or the systems associated with the
facility as the system associates a wide array of expertise to the various
system questions answered by the user. This is because specialized
knowledge for each system is associated with the questions related to each
system such that the user is provided with a report that draws on the expert
knowledge of many systems experts. It is further contemplated that life cycle
data may be provided to the user, including for example, in the generated
report. The life cycle data may include information including, but not limited
to, identifying when the system(s) was installed, identifying any and/or all
maintenance performed on the system(s) that may or may not affect the life
cycle of the system, and information relating to an estimated end-of-life for
the
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system. All of this life cycle data may, in one advantageous embodiment, be
provided to the user in a format selected by the user and/or provided in the
facilities report.
[0023] While the system may be used with many differing types of
facilities having one or more locations and one or more buildings on each
location, in a preferred embodiment the system used for facilities having
buildings with at least a minimum of 1,000,000 aggregated square feet. For
example, this could include a single building comprising 1,000,000 square feet
or multiple buildings that when aggregated comprise 1,000,000 square feet. It
has been determined that the larger the facility and subsequently that larger
and/or more numerous the associated system(s), the ability of the system to
generate an even more accurate cost estimate increases.
[0024] It is further contemplated that the facilities report that is
generated can provide an analysis of the facilities or building systems so as
to
provide for a targeted assessment of various systems. For example, the
report can identify which systems are in need of immediate attention
identifying a suggested priority in which the variously identified systems
could
be addressed. The assessment could include, for example, a time frame
within which work should to be performed on the particular facilities system
and/or a cost associated with the work to be performed on the particular
facilities system and/or within the particular time frame.
[0025] The facilities report generated by the system could further
include an asset report. The asset report could comprise various information
related to the facilities including, for example, an identification of the
property,
a description of the type of property, a description of how the property is
being
used, a replacement value for the property, an assessment of the property
utilization, and the FCI of the property. This report could also include a
funding/FCI graph that illustrates funding of a particular facility over time
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versus FCI, which graph may further be customizable to allow for a variable
number of years in the projection.
[0026] Still further, the facilities report could include a compliance
report as is required, for example, by Government mandates. The
compliance report can provide all the information required by the federal
mandate including, for example but not limited to, the facilities location,
the
facilities description, the utilization of the facilities, the condition of
the facilities
systems, and compliance and/or non-compliance with applicable building
codes.
[0027] It is further understood that the facilities report can include any
amount of information or be targeted to certain facilities systems as desired
by
the user. For example, the system can allow the user to add or remove
certain systems from a survey to include or exclude them from the facilities
report. The system further allows the user to alter or rename systems as
desired. Finally, the system also allows for copying of existing system
information to account for varying conditions and priorities. This provides
the
specific benefit that end-users will have more control over field data
collection
and the adding of building systems on the fly will increase survey accuracy to
provide enhanced planning and reporting.
[0028] The survey of the various systems and facilities may be
accomplished by use of a tablet-type device (e.g., a hand-held mobile
computing device, such as, for example, an iPade or similar device) that
allows the user to access a web page to input the survey data. In an
embodiment, the user accesses the web page application, logs in and either
selects the project associated with the facility or opens a new project and
enters information in relating to the project (facility address, number of
buildings, square footage of the building(s), etc.). The user may be presented
with a series of options relating to various facilities systems (such as,
electrical, mechanical, life protection, HVAC, etc.), which the user can enter
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information relating to the particular system. Additionally, the user may find
it
advantageous to take a digital picture of the system (e.g., the user decides
to
take a picture of the service entrance name plate listing the model, voltage,
phase, amperage, etc. of the panel). In order to take the picture, in one
embodiment the user is presented with a Graphic User Interface that may
take the form of a button on the screen of the mobile device allowing the user
to take a picture and upload the picture to the server associated with the web
page. Alternatively, the user may have a separate digital camera and, upon
taking a picture(s), can upload the picture to the server associated with the
web page. In this manner, when viewing the survey information relating to the
particular facility system, not only can a user see the information about the
system, but the user can also see a digital photograph (or video clip) showing
the actual system. This can be very helpful in determining whether or not a
particular system needs urgent maintenance or repair. For example, a high
pressure pipe may not appear to need urgent repair to an individual with
little
training, but a digital picture could be analyzed remotely by a person with
significant expertise who could make the determination as to whether urgent
action is required. Additionally, numerous digital pictures (or video clips)
could
be taken and saved on the device or camera during the survey and then later
uploaded and associated with the particular systems at a later time. Still
further, previous digital pictures can be pulled up on the mobile device so
that
the user performing the survey can compare the previous condition to the
current condition, both of which can be time-stamped for documentation
purposes. In another embodiment, the digital photo GUI can automatically
route a digital photo(s) to one or more locations (e.g. automatically send to
the
web page server such that the photo(s) is associated with the particular
system; and/or save the photo(s) on the mobile device.)
[0029] it is still further understood that the user device (mobile device)
may include Global Positioning System (GPS) functionality such that the
device will automatically identify a location of the device that may be
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associated with a facility address/location. In this manner, when a user
arrives at a facility, the device may automatically query the user to
determine
if a file relating to a facility corresponding to the identified location
should be
accessed. Likewise, survey data (including photos / videos / video clips /
etc.)
can be automatically associated with a particular facility based on an
identified
location of the device. All of this allows for ease of use and greater
efficiency
for the user.
[0030] In one advantageous embodiment a method for generating a
facilities report is provided comprising the steps of generating a series of
options relating to various facilities, storing the series of options on a
storage
accessible by a system computer and generating and storing facility data
selected from the group consisting of compliance data, facilities system data
and combinations thereof, that relate to various facilities. The method
further
comprises the steps of associating the facility data with the series of
options,
presenting the series of options to a user accessing a user computer coupled
to the system computer via a network connection and receiving survey data
from the user, the survey data based on the user's responses to the series of
options. Still further, the method further comprises the steps of gathering
facility data based on the survey data received from the user, generating a
facilities report based on the survey data and the gathered facility data and
presenting the facilities report to the user.
[0031] In another advantageous embodiment a system for generating a
facilities system report is provided comprising a system computer accessible
by a user computer via a network connection and a facilities data storage
accessible by said system computer. The facilities data storage has stored
thereon a series of options relating to various facilities and facilities data
selected from the group consisting of compliance data, facilities system data
and combinations thereof, which relate to various facilities, where particular
facilities data is associated with particular options of the series of
options.
The system is provided such that the series of options is presented to the
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user. The system further comprises survey data received by the system
computer, the survey data being based on the user's responses to the series
of options. The system still further comprises a facilities report generated
by
the system computer and is based on the received survey data and gathered
facilities data associated with the survey data.
[0032] In still another advantageous embodiment a method for
generating a facilities report is provided comprising the steps of generating
a
series of options relating to various facilities systems and storing the
series of
options on a storage accessible by a system computer. The method further
comprises the steps of generating and storing cost data associated with
particular facilities systems where the cost data includes labor costs and/or
materials costs. The method still further comprises the steps of associating
the cost data with the series of options, presenting the series of options to
a
user accessing a user computer coupled to the system computer via a
network connection and receiving survey data from the user, the survey data
based on the user's responses to the series of options. Finally, the method
comprises the steps of gathering cost data based on the survey data received
from the user and generating a facilities report based on the survey data and
the gathered cost data.
[0033] In another advantageous embodiment a method for generating a
facilities report where facilities data is associated with a series of options
relating to various facilities and stored on a storage coupled to a system
computer is provided, the method comprising the steps of presenting the
series of options to a user accessing a user computer coupled to the system
computer via a network connection and receiving survey data from the user,
the survey data based on the user's responses to the series of options. The
method further comprises the steps of selecting facility data based on the
survey data received from the user and generating a facilities report based on
the survey data and the selected facility data.
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[0034] In yet another advantageous embodiment a system for
generating a facilities report is provided comprising a system computer, a
user
computer coupled to the system computer via a network connection and a
facilities data storage accessible by the system computer. The system is
provided such that the facilities data storage has stored thereon facilities
data
associated with a series of options relating to various facilities systems.
The
system is further provided such that the series of options presented to the
user. The system further comprises survey data received by the system
computer and stored on the facilities data storage, the survey data
corresponding to the user's responses to the series of options and a
facilities
report generated by the system computer, the facilities report generated
based on the received survey data and on certain facilities data corresponding
to the received survey data.
[0035] Other objects of the invention and its particular features and
advantages will become more apparent from consideration of the following
drawings and accompanying detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0036] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of one embodiment of the present
invention;
[0037] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the embodiment according to
FIG. 1;
[0038] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the embodiment according to
FIG. 2;
N039] FIGS. 4 and 5 are screen shots of the embodiment according to
FIG. 3;
[0040] FIGS. 6 ¨ 37 are screen shots of the embodiment according to
FIG. 2;
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[0041] FIGS. 38 ¨ 40 are screen shots of various reports generated by
the system according to FIG. 2;
[0042] FIGS. 41 and 42 are screen shots depicting running action cost,
running survey cost and running survey FCI;
[0043] FIG. 43 is a block diagram of an advantageous embodiment of
the present invention according to FIG. 1;
[0044] FIG. 44 is a screen shot depicting the web page interface
showing the photo browser feature of the survey system; and
[0045] FIG. 45 is a screen shot depicting the graphic user interface to
manage asset photos.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0046] Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals
designate corresponding structure throughout the views.
[0047] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an advantageous embodiment of
the present invention depicting a system 100 for generating a report 110. A
user 102 accesses the system 100 with a computer (not shown). In one
embodiment, the system 100 is accessed via a network connection such as,
for example, the Internet. The user 102 may be presented with a webpage
allowing access to system 100.
[0048] Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 4, the user 102 may be, for
example, a facilities manager that accesses the system to generate a report
110 relating to the facilities. Initially the user 102 will log-in 122 to
system 100
to generate and/or input user information into a user account. Once
completed, the user 102 may then input building information 126 relating to
the facilities. This information may include, for example but is not limited
to,
the name of the facility, the address, the type of facility, the quantity or
number of buildings, the number of floors in the building, the area of the
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building, the owner of the facility, a description of use, historical
information,
the year of construction and/or renovation, the architect and/or construction
company, the replacement value and the FCI (FIG. 4), to name just a few of
the many categories of information that may initially be input into system
100.
This initial information may be stored in, for example, user data storage 108
accessible by system 100.
[0049] Once this initial building information 126 is input into system
100, user 102 has the opportunity to view the assets 124 listed on the system.
However, to provide a meaningful report on the facilities, the user will need
to
gather and input additional information into system 100 relating to the
various
buildings and facilities systems.
[0050] To that end, the user 102 may begin a comprehensive survey of
the facilities. It is contemplated that the user may select a survey type 128,
such as for example, inputting information relating to a particular system(s)
or
even select a survey level 130 including more or less information in the
initial
survey and corresponding report to be generated. Alternatively, the user 102
could proceed with a standard comprehensive survey provided by system 100
to initially gather a relatively large amount of information on the
facilities. To
generate a report 110 directed toward, for example, the current condition of
the facilities systems, the user 102 is presented with a series of questions
114
directed toward various systems in the facility. Examples of the questions
that
may be presented to user 102 are depicted in screen shots shown in FIGS. 5
through 37.
[0051] For example, the user 102 may initially be presented with
Section 1.0 Building Information 126, which lists general information relating
to a particular facility or building (FIG. 5). The user 102 has the
opportunity to
review and revise the listed information relating to the facility and/or
building
from this page.
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[0052] The user 102 may further be presented with Section 2.0
Substructure ¨ Footing and Foundations 114 as shown in FIG. 6. The user
102 is required to answer the series of questions provided including, for
example, inputting the square footage of concrete footing and foundation with
visible cracks or chips that require repair along with a priority rating of
the
need to address the system within a particular time frame. A Comments
Section is also provided allowing the user 102 to provide comments as
necessary in the evaluation and for future use.
00531 It is contemplated that a comprehensive series of questions
relating to various facilities and/or building systems may be presented to the
user 102. The Figures list just some of the many various categories of
systems that may be queried and include, but are not limited to the following:
Section: 3.0 Basement Walls (FIG. 8)
Section: 4.0 Floor and Roof Deck Construction (FIG. 8)
Section: 5.0 Exterior Walls (FIG. 9)
Section: 6.0 Exterior Windows (FIG. 10)
Section: 7.0 Exterior Doors (FIG. 11)
Section: 8.0 Roofing (FIG. 12)
Section: 9.0 Interior Doors (FIG. 13)
Section: 10.0 Stair Finishes (FIG. 14)
Section: 11.0 Interior Wall Finishes (FIG. 15)
Section: 12.0 Interior Floor Finishes (FIG. 16)
Section: 13.0 Ceiling Finishes (FIG. 17)
Section: 14.0 Elevators (FIG. 18)
Section: 15.0 Plumbing Fixtures (FIG. 19)
Section: 16.0 Domestic Water Distribution (FIG. 20)
Section: 17.0 Sanitary Waste (FIG. 21)
Section: 18.0 Storm Water System (FIG. 22)
Section: 19.0 Boilers / Furnaces (FIG. 23)
Section: 20.0 Chiller, Condensing Units (FIGS. 24 & 24A)
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Section: 21.0 Cooling Towers (FIGS. 25 & 25A)
Section: 22.0 HVAC Piping (FIG. 26)
Section: 23.0 Circulation Pumps (FIG. 27)
Section: 24.0 Ductwork and Terminal Devices (FIG. 28)
Section: 25.0 Temperature Control (FIG. 29)
Section: 26.0 Air Handling Units (FIG. 30)
Section: 27.0 Ventilation Systems (FIG. 31)
Section: 28.0 Sprinklers and Standpipes (FIG. 32)
Section: 29.0 Electrical Service (FIG. 33)
Section: 30.0 Electrical Distribution (FIGS. 34 & 34A)
Section: 31.0 Lighting and Power (FIGS. 35 & 35A)
Section: 32.0 Fire Alarm System (FIG. 36)
Section: 33.0 Emergency Light and Power (FIG. 37)
moss] It is contemplated that the series of questions relating to various
facilities and/or building systems as listed above may be stored in facilities
system storage 106 and assessable by system 100 for presentation to user
102. User 102 then answers some or all of the series of questions generating
the survey data that may be stored, for example, on user data storage 108.
[0055] It should be noted that, while various functions, methods and/or
questions have been described and presented in a sequence of steps, the
sequence has been provided merely as an illustration of one advantageous
embodiment, and that it is not necessary to perform these functions in the
specific order illustrated. It is further contemplated that any of these steps
may be moved and/or combined relative to any of the other steps. In addition,
it is still further contemplated that it may be advantageous, depending upon
the application, to utilize all or any portion of the functions described
herein.
[0056] Additionally, it is contemplated that facility data is also generated
and stored, for example, on facilities system storage 106. The facility data
may comprise, for example, cost data associated with repair and or
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replacement of a particular system. The associated costs could also account
for the geographic location of the facilities as labor costs are known to vary
from one geographic location to the next. Still further, the associated costs
could be updated in the system on a periodic basis. The associated costs
could take into consideration the time frame within which the work is to be
accomplished and also the time of year.
[0057] In this manner, the system 100 is able to take into account the
following: 1) initial information submitted by the user 102 relating to, for
example, an identification of the type of system, manufacturer, model,
quantity
in the building and previous condition; 2) survey data submitted by the user
102 comprising responses to the questions and comments submitted; and 3)
facilities data associated with the series of questions providing for the cost
associated with repair and or replacement of a particular system. In this
manner, the user 102 is able to generate a relatively complete and accurate
report 110 despite having limited knowledge of the facility or the systems
associated with the facility.
pow The system 100 may be used with many differing types of
facilities having one or more locations and one or more buildings on each
location, in a preferred embodiment the system used for facilities having
buildings with at least a minimum of 1,000,000 aggregated square feet. For
example, this could include a single building comprising 1,000,000 square feet
or multiple buildings that when aggregated comprise 1,000,000 square feet.
For example, it has been determined that the larger the facility and
subsequently that larger and/or more numerous the associated system(s), the
ability of the system 100 to generate a more accurate cost estimate increases.
[0059] It is still further contemplated that that the report 110 can be fully
customized and presented to the user 102 in a desired format.
pow While Sections 3.0 ¨ 33.0 are provided above as examples of
various system categories that may be presented to the user, it should be
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understood that additional categories may be used. Additionally, the system
is customizable such that, the user may select only certain categories of
questions to be presented to the user allowing the user to target only certain
systems or subsystems. Still further, it is contemplated that once initial
building information is entered into the system, the user may decide to
generate a report at a later date, for example, a year later. In this example,
the user may select only certain categories of for providing information (or
updated information). This allows for a targeted approach to the generation of
the facilities report requiring less time of the user to generate it, while
still
providing a highly accurate facilities report.
[0061] The system, may in one advantageous embodiment,
automatically import or populate the existing facilities data to into a report
that
provides current information to the user (e.g., adjusted FCI, etc.) based on
the
current date. In this manner, the user can either, enter new information
relating to facility or provided updated information for over-writing the
existing
facility data. In either case, the user is provided with increased
customizability
for the facilities report. Also, the user is able to use existing information
that
was previously entered into the system to generate a current report on the
facility.
[0062] Referring to FIG. 38, an example of a Requirement List Report
is provided as report 110. The report describes the work to be done as
Requirement Name, a Requirement ID is provided, an identification of the
system involved is provided described as Prime System, a priority is assigned
to the project, systems linked to the prime system are identified, an action
date is provided along with a finish date, and an estimated cost is provided.
The Requirement List report can take into consideration some or all of the
information listed above including the initial information, the survey data
and
facilities data associated with the series of questions and survey data. In
this
manner, the user 102 is provided with an accurate and comprehensive report
110 despite having limited knowledge of the existing systems or the facility.
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[0063] In this manner, the system 100 that generates the report 110
provides for the ability to set up workflows and assign approval rights. For
example, a user 102 may input the survey data to generate the report 110 as
illustrated in FIG. 38. Another individual may have access to the report 110
for review and/or editing or modification. Various approval rights can be set
up to allow for approval to the work identified in the report and for the
management of the workflow. The system 100 is fully customizable to
accommodate all of these options for the user(s).
N064] Referring to FIG. 39, an example of an Asset List Report is
provided as report 110. The Asset List Report includes, for example, a Real
Property ID, an asset type, an asset use, a Replacement Value, an asset
Utilization and an FCI. This report 110, allows for streamlining of the
budgeting process and optimization of lifecycle planning.
pow Referring to FIG. 40, an example of a Funding/FCI Graph is
provided as report 110. The graph illustrates funding over time versus the
FCI illustrating how the selected funding can affect the FCI. Again, this
report
ensures accuracy with industry standards, allows for projecting the impact of
different levels of spending and allows for the use of industry standard
benchmarks.
p0663 In addition to the above-mentioned reports, it is contemplated
that the user 102 could provide a survey designed to meet a federal mandate.
Still further, the report 110 could provide information to user 102 relating
to an
existing condition in a facility, such as for example, but not limited to,
identification of hazardous materials that may reside in the facility.
Alternatively, the report 110 may provide information relating to Americans
with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance, life and safety issues and/or energy
efficiency. The system 100 is very versatile allowing for fully customization
to
meet the user's 102 needs.
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[0067] Referring back now to FIG. 1, it is still further contemplated that
a professional 104 may access system 100 to review the survey data
submitted by user 102 and in particular, review any comments submitted by
user 102. This provides the ability to provide a report 110 that is still
further
refined providing highly accurate information for capital and budget planning.
[0068] It should be noted that some of the Figures (e.g. 6-37) provide
for a "glossary" of information to assist the user in ascertaining the type of
system in the facility. For example, the user may be provided with a question
relating to the windows in the facility as described in connection with Figure
under the section Exterior Windows. To further aide the user in providing
accurate information relating to the facility, the user could access the "See
the
Glossary" link provided on the page where a number of differing types of
windows are described and photographs may be presented. The user is then
further aided in selected the correct type of window currently used in the
facility to ensure increased accuracy of the report.
[0069] FIGS. 41 and 42 depict real-time Cost and FCI Calculations.
For example, as a user is presented with series of questions and provides
input information relating to action to be taken, the system provides a
running
Action Cost 200 that indicates to the user the cost associated with the action
selected by the user. This provides the user with immediate, real time
information relating to the decisions made by the user. Also provided is
Survey Cost 202, which provides the user with a running total of the action
costs. This again, provides the user with immediate, real time information as
the user makes decisions.
[0070] If, for example, the user decides, based on a presented Action
Cost 200 for a particular action selected, that he/she does not want to
proceed with the selected action, the user can then reverse the selection. In
this case, the Survey Cost 202 will be adjusted accordingly.
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[0071] Also shown in FIGS. 41 and 42 is Survey FCI 206, which
indicates to the user how the selected action will impact the FCI of the
particular facility associated with the action. As stated previously, this is
another tool that allows for immediate, real time information to be presented
to
the user so the user can see how each decision impacts, not only the cost of
the project(s), but also the FCI of the facility.
[0072] Referring now to FIGS. 43-45, FIG. 43 is a block diagram
depicting a system computer 202 connected to a network connection 204.
System computer 202 is connected to a storage 206, which may store a
series of options associated with various types of facility systems. Also
stored
on storage 206 is facility data associated with the various series of options.
It
is contemplated that a user device 208 may access the system computer via
a web page over the network connection. The user device may comprise any
type of mobile computing device, but in one embodiment comprises a tablet-
type computing device.
[0073] A user, accesses the series of options on the user device 208 by
via a web page interface. In this manner, the user may physically walk
through a facility and enter information in response to the series of options
relating to various facilities systems. Based on the survey information
received from the user device, additional series of options are presented on
the user device so as to provide a highly detailed survey of the facility and
the
systems in the facility.
[0074] In one embodiment, the user may take digital photographs (or
videos) of particular facilities, systems and/or deficiencies. This digital
information may be stored on the mobile device and uploaded to the system
computer 102 to be associated with a particular facilities, systems and/or
deficiencies in the facility. It should be understood that digital photographs
/
videos when captured, may be automatically routed to storage 206 and
associated with a particular facilities, systems and/or deficiencies.
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[0075] The system computer 202 receives the survey data and any
digital photos and/or videos, and based on this information along with
facilities
data associated with the series of options, generates a facility report. The
facilities report is discussed in connection with FIGS. 41-42 and will not be
re-
described here.
[0076] In one advantageous embodiment, digital photographs and/or
video (video clips) may be taken of a facility and/or facility systems and
automatically associated with a particular facility based on a location
identification. For example, a mobile device may be provided with GPS
functionality such that when a digital picture and/or video (video clip)
associated with a facility is captured, the system can automatically identify
the
facility based on a location identification due to the GPS function of the
mobile
device. In particular, this could occur automatically such that the user need
only confirm that the data gathered is associated with a particular identified
facility. In one embodiment, the mobile device could automatically identify
the
mobile device location and present an option to the user to confirm that a
file
for a particular facility should be accessed and/or opened. Likewise, data
gathered at the location can be automatically associated with the facility
based on location identification.
[0077] FIG. 44 illustrates a screen shot of the web page interface that
depicts the "photo browser" option allow a user to manage photos and videos.
The web page includes a view of thumbnail photos of a particular facility. It
should be noted that photos/videos can be quickly viewed, adjusted,
added/removed, rotated, edited, etc., to ensure that the best photos/videos
are associated with a project. Additionally, the order in which the thumbnails
are presented can be modified, and the images can be enlarged simply by
clicking on the image.
[0078] FIG. 45 illustrates another screen shot showing the "Asset
Photos" button that allows a user to take a photo or video, or to choose an
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existing photo or video. The user can (or the system can automatically)
associate a particular photo or video with a particular facility and/or
system. In
still another embodiment, the user can append text or audio to either the
photo or video by means of an input (I/P) device as depicted in FIG. 43.
[0079] Although the invention has been described with reference to a
particular arrangement of parts, features and the like, these are not intended
to exhaust all possible arrangements or features, and indeed many other
modifications and variations will be ascertainable to those of skill in the
art.
