How OCS is revolutionising Facilities Management

 

Mohamad Abou Laban, Managing Director, OCS - UAE speaks exclusively to Built Environment ME on the power of virtual and augmented reality in facilities management

 
September 16, 2024 Real Estate
 

How OCS is revolutionising Facilities Management
 

Picture this - A facilities technician stands in front of a complex piece of machinery, but instead of scratching his head in confusion, he is confidently navigating the equipment’s intricacies. How? He is wearing an Augmented reality (AR) headset, receiving real-time guidance from an expert hundreds of miles away.

At OCS, our mission is simple yet profound: making people and places the best they can be. In today's rapidly evolving technological landscape, we are taking this mission to new heights with the power of virtual and augmented reality. Picture a world where complex machinery is mastered through a VR headset, and expert support is just a pair of AR glasses away. This isn't the future – it's how OCS is transforming facilities management today. 

The New Reality of Facilities Management

OCS has always prided itself on delivering tailored services across various sectors, from healthcare to data centres and everything in between. But in today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape, we knew we needed to push the boundaries even further. That’s where virtual and augmented reality come in.

We are not just talking about fancy gadgets here. VR is transforming how we train our staff, while AR is revolutionising how we maintain equipment and solve problems in real-time. It’s a game-changer, and we are excited to be at the forefront of this revolution. 

Virtual Reality: The ultimate training ground

Remember when VR was just for gamers? Those days are long gone. In our facilities management operations across projects, VR has become an indispensable training tool. Gone are the days of dull PowerPoint presentations. Now, we can immerse our staff in realistic, challenging scenarios – from working in confined spaces to handling emergencies – all in a safe, virtual environment. It’s like having a state-of-the-art training facility that fits in a backpack.

Imagine being able to practice complex procedures or emergency responses without any real-world risks. That's the power of VR training. Our technicians can gain years of experience in a matter of months, all while in a controlled, safe environment.

OCS has partnered with Next World on VR training modules that cater to different skill levels and languages. Whether you're a beginner or an advanced technician, whether you speak English, Arabic or any other language, we've got you covered. What's more, we can track progress and maintain records effortlessly, ensuring our team is always at the top of their game.

Augmented Reality: Expert support, Anytime, Anywhere

While VR transforms our training, AR revolutionises our on-site support. Let’s envision this scenario: It’s peak summer, and a critical chiller in a hospital malfunctions. Our on-site technician, faced with an unfamiliar issue, simply puts on a pair of AR glasses. 

Instantly, he/she is connected to our top chiller expert remotely, who might be miles away but sees exactly what the technician sees. As our tech approaches the chiller, the expert guides him through the diagnostic steps. 

“Check the compressor there,” the expert might say, highlighting the component in the technician’s view. They walk through the inspection process together, with the expert pointing out key areas to examine and measurements to take. 

What could have been a day-long problem is now resolved in a couple of hours. The chiller is back online, the hospital is operational, and our technician has gained valuable experience. This isn’t futuristic – it’s how we are using AR at OCS today.

Every service call becomes an opportunity for on-the-job training, ensuring our clients benefit from our entire team’s expertise, regardless of location. We're implementing these technologies across Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and the United Kingdom in both hard services and security services. 

Overcoming challenges, Reaping benefits.

The results? They speak for themselves. Our support times have decreased. Travel costs have reduced. And our environmental impact? It’s shrinking by the day. But perhaps the most rewarding outcome has been the response from our team and clients.

Our employees feel empowered, knowing expert support is always just a pair of AR glasses away. And our clients? they're actively excited. They see us as true partners in their digital transformation journey. Together, we're not just maintaining facilities; we're reimagining them for the future. Our clients know that with OCS, they're always at the forefront of innovation, ready to tackle any challenge that comes their way. 

The Future is Now

As we look to the future, one thing is clear: VR for training and AR for support aren’t just fancy add-ons to our service. They are becoming the backbone of how we prepare and support our ground staff. They are how we are driving best practices, boosting productivity, building resilience, and delivering exceptional experiences to the projects we serve.

At OCS, we are creating the future of facilities management. And it’s looking spectacular from where we are standing.

VR  AR  on-the-job-training  facilities management  OCS   

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