CAFM-Blog.de | Selecting CAFM: Modules, Integration, and ROI

Selecting CAFM: Modules, Integration, and ROI

I am writing this guide for decision-makers and IT managers who are looking for a CAFM solution. And who are as tired of the endless feature bingo of providers as I am. This is not about colorful dashboards. It's about how modern CAFM platforms really work. I'll show which modules are absolutely necessary. And why integration with ERP, ITSM, and IoT fails spectacularly without ruthless data governance. In the end, you will know how

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CAFM-Blog.de | Comparison of CAFM Software (at least a small attempt)

Comparison of CAFM Software (at least a small attempt)

No more dry consultant prose. After all, those who manage facilities don't fight everyday battles with "synthetic synergy potentials," but with broken elevators, lost rental agreements, and Excel spreadsheets from hell. Here's the unvarnished reality check for 8 arbitrarily ;-) selected CAFM tools – including the question of who actually delivers and where you're just buying expensive frustration software. Archibus: The safe for large corporations. Archibus isn't a fancy crayon tool for SMEs, but a ton-heavy enterprise behemoth.

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CAFM-Blog.de | Cloud Services in Facility Management: How to Choose Secure, Scalable Solutions

Cloud Services in Facility Management: How to Choose Secure, Scalable Solutions

It's 2026, and in Facility Management, we're still discussing the cloud as if it were an experimental research project. The fact is: cloud services are rapidly gaining relevance because they simply reduce costs, finally enable real scalability, and democratize the chronically complex data access in FM. The question is no longer whether, but how you migrate your CAFM systems to the cloud in such a way that you don't end up with a more expensive, but

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CAFM-Blog.de | BIM in Facility Management: Why Colorful 3D Models Don't Save Operations

BIM in Facility Management: Why Colorful 3D Models Don't Save Operations

Anyone talking about BIM in Facility Management today quickly ends up with shiny 3D models that look fantastic in the planning phase but fail mercilessly in operational use. This article brings the topic back down to earth: I want to briefly show how BIM processes actually work in FM, why a ruthless data architecture (CDE) is essential, and how you can prevent your BIM data from rotting in isolation from CAFM, sensor technology, and IoT.

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CAFM Blog.de | The reality of operating software in Facility Management

The reality of operating software in Facility Management

CAFM presentations promise seamless integration, BIM handovers, and IoT solutions (my new favorite word of the month) – operational reality shows half-maintained master data, Excel islands, and systems that exist but aren't really used. There are two CAFM worlds: the one from presentations – perfect, integrated, digitized down to the last screw – and the one we actually work in. In PowerPoint, everything is the 'single source of truth', BIM delivers flawless data, and IoT transforms buildings into

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CAFM-Blog.de | Selecting BIM Software: Functions, Integrations, and Use Cases for FM

Selecting BIM Software: Functions, Integrations, and Use Cases for FM

BIM-supported processes are noticeably gaining importance in German small and medium-sized enterprises as well as large corporations. However, in my consulting practice, I repeatedly see: Finding the right BIM software for Facility Management is significantly more challenging than the glossy slides of many providers suggest. Those who rely solely on feature lists often end up with one thing: a long list and even more unanswered questions. Instead, I recommend a robust, vendor-neutral evaluation framework. Crucial are

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CAFM-Blog.de | The Built Portfolio: How to Stop Sabotaging Your ESG Reporting with Excel Ruins

The Built Portfolio: How to Stop Sabotaging Your ESG Reporting with Excel Ruins

Your building portfolio directly influences your sustainability – usually simply, without the executive floor noticing. Fragmented data, turf wars between Real Estate, IT, and Operations, as well as fantasy KPIs sabotage ESG reports more reliably than any power outage. A CAFM system is intended to provide a remedy as a central data platform. I will show you quite simply how to clear up the chaos without dying beautifully. 1. The built portfolio: The hidden stumbling block When location distribution and usage types are randomly distributed,

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CAFM-Blog.de | BIM Viewers Under Stress Test: Why Beautiful Renderings Won't Save CAFM

BIM Viewers Under Stress Test: Why Beautiful Renderings Won't Save CAFM

If BIM data is finally to become operationally usable in facility management, choosing the right BIM viewer often turns out to be the first critical failure point. To get straight to the point: A BIM viewer in FM is not a toy for high-gloss renderings from the planning department. It is the merciless tool that translates BIM geometries into usable CAFM data – or fails to do so. In this post, I will show you a compact, reproducible test matrix. You will learn how to evaluate performance, metadata quality,

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CAFM-Blog.de | The maintenance plan myth: Why Excel lists must die in CAFM

The Maintenance Plan Myth: Why Excel Lists Must Die in CAFM

Maintenance based on the principle of hope doesn't work ("No! Yes! Ohhh!"). Availability, safety, and operator responsibility depend crucially on how ruthlessly you structure your maintenance. But let's not fool ourselves: most maintenance plans end up as confusing data graveyards because they were never built for the reality of a CAFM system. This post shows how to create a maintenance plan that doesn't starve on paper – with tough risk prioritization, real mandatory fields, and the

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CAFM-Blog.de | Choosing IWMS correctly: Architecture, TCO, checklist

Selecting IWMS Correctly: Architecture, TCO, Checklist

An Integrated Workplace Management System, or IWMS for short, is intended to form the operational and strategic backbone for real estate and building management. In theory, space planning, maintenance, energy, and leasing converge on a central database. In practice, companies spend millions on a software suite that ultimately ends up as a nicely packaged data silo. The reason is almost always the same: integration into the existing ERP and building services environment is massively underestimated. This article shows, without marketing jargon,

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CAFM-Blog.de | IFC Viewer: The best tools for checking BIM models in everyday use

IFC Viewer: The Best Tools for Checking BIM Models in Everyday Use

If you regularly review BIM models in your daily work, you don't need an all-in-one miracle device. That usually only exists in sales pitches anyway. What you really need is the right mix of tools for operations. In this article, I compare the best IFC viewers for everyday CAFM use – from mobile views to cloud reviews. It covers typical use cases, strengths and weaknesses, costs, and integration tips. So, exactly what you actually need in day-to-day business.

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CAFM-Blog.de | Facility Management Software: Modules, benefits, and a few buzzwords

Facility Management Software: Modules, Benefits, and a Few Buzzwords

Facility Management software is supposed to do everything. Maintenance, space planning, energy, services. All at the same time, please. In reality, however, it quickly becomes clear: it's not the prettiest interface that wins, but the platform that functions cleanly in everyday use. For FM decision-makers and IT managers, that's the real question. Which modules do I really need? Where does automation bring real benefits? And where does it all end up as an expensive pile of half-baked master data? That's exactly what this is about.

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CAFM-Blog.de | GEFMA guidelines: Practical guide for FM standards and implementation

GEFMA Guidelines: Practical Guide for FM Standards and Implementation

Ever since I've been involved in CAFM projects, I've encountered the same question repeatedly: How do I truly integrate the GEFMA guidelines into ongoing standard implementations without them becoming purely a paper tiger? This short article is aimed at FM managers and CAFM project leaders in medium to large companies who face exactly this challenge. I'll show how GEFMA guidelines can be practically mapped into CAFM processes – from requirements and data models to governance and proof of compliance. Concrete

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CAFM-Blog.de | Property Management Software in comparison: Which solution really fits?

Property Management Software Comparison: Which Solution Really Fits?

For real estate professionals, property management software is far more than a digital administration tool. Used correctly, it increases efficiency, creates transparency, and makes even larger portfolios manageable. That's precisely why a closer look at the leading systems is worthwhile. This article focuses not only on functions but also on architecture, integrations, costs, and the question of which solution is truly sensible for which portfolios. Ultimately, it's not about which system is on

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CAFM-Blog.de | BMS in Facility Management: More than just technology in the background

BMS in Facility Management: More Than Just Background Technology

Modern Building Management Systems (BMS) have long been more than just the central control center for heating, ventilation, or lighting. They are the technical backbone of building operations and directly influence how efficiently, transparently, and smoothly a building runs. BMS become particularly exciting when combined with CAFM systems. Then it's no longer just about control technology, but about reliable operating data, better maintenance decisions, and significantly clearer control over the entire lifecycle. The real added value therefore arises

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