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Welcome to InTheNews – covering all the FM news you may have missed over the last week:
A new report by the British Council for Offices (BCO) urges the property industry to ‘retain, extend life, reduce impact’ to futureproof the office sector
The British Council for Offices (BCO) has released a new report that provides circular economy guidance to the office sector in relation to new-build, refurbishment and fit‑out. Circular Economy in Offices sets out how offices can be designed and constructed in order to eliminate waste and pollution, circulate products and materials and regenerate nature.
Richard Kauntze, Chief Executive of the BCO, said: “Everyone involved in creating, acquiring or occupying office space has the potential to make Britain more efficient and less wasteful by embracing, and advocating circular economy principles to meet both urgent and longer-term sustainability goals.”
New research reveals UK businesses have nearly £59 billion worth of capital tied up in working assets and equipment they no longer need.
As pressure mounts to find new ways to reduce the cost of doing business, reuse specialist, Ramco, is urging businesses to contribute to the circular economy and find new homes for idle items – rather than letting them go to waste.
The new data shows 67% of respondents – as many as 3.7 million UK businesses – admit they have good quality, working equipment they no longer need. The survey also revealed individual organisations could have an average of over £10k worth of assets sitting idle.
In business, Atlas FM has announced an agreement to join with one of London’s leading cleaning companies, City West Support Services.
City West is a provider of premium quality services and supports some of the capital’s best-known buildings and organisations. Customers include commercial and residential property managers, professional services companies, and educational establishments.
The agreement brings into the Atlas group a company with a strong reputation and a long-standing presence in the London market. Atlas is building an exciting single service and total facilities management (TFM) offering that can appeal to prestigious clients who require high quality cleaning, security, engineering and related facilities services.
And finally, Businesses are being urged to act now ahead of the switch off of the UK’s analogue phone network in 2025.
The move will see the traditional landline system transfer to a fully digital phone network in order to meet the demands of modern internet and mobile technology, with telephone wires and buried copper cables becoming a thing of the past.
Colin Hewitt, BT Product Specialist with Carlisle-based Integrity IT Solutions, is advising any businesses which still rely on the analogue network to make the switch to digital now so they can take advantage of better connectivity and communications.
He said: “The transition to a digital phone service has been underway for some time, with many businesses and organisations having already made the move.
“This is an opportunity to not only ensure that you are ready for the future but also to make the most of the improved connectivity which comes with it.
“From making calls on any device from anywhere on the same number, to linking business applications with video calls and chat, the technology is there to help your business operate more efficiently and effectively.”
You can find out more on news.fmbusinessdaily.com
