Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ Index

Configuring My Database

• Can FM:Systems software be configured by the user?
• Can I get assistance from FM:Systems with configuring?
• If I configure my database, what happens when I need to upgrade?
• What types of elements can be configured?

Integration with Other Systems

• Can I export data to a file?
• We already have Maximo. How does your software integrate with CMMS systems?
• Can your system link with our existing corporate databases?

Security

• Can the system be password protected?
• Does the system support multiple users simultaneously?
• How is system security handled?

CAD platforms

• What versions of AutoCAD are supported?
• What is FM:CAD?
• Do we have to learn AutoCAD in order to use your product?
• Will FM:Systems software work with AutoCAD 2010?

Web

• Can facilities and floorplan data be accessed over the web?

Products and Services

• How is FM:Interact packaged?
• Who are your clients?
• What types of consulting services do you provide?
• On what platforms does your software run?

Implementation

• How long will it take us to get up and running?

Competitive Analysis

• Why is your product better than the competition?

Customer Support

• What type of customer support do you offer?

Can FM:Systems software be configured by the user?

Yes. FM:Systems products are designed to be configured without programming. FM:Systems' data dictionary lets users modify fields and tables without requiring customization of the underlying code.

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If I configure my database, what happens when I need to upgrade?

Upgradeability of FM:Systems software is guaranteed. Because configurations occur in the data dictionary, future versions of FM:Systems software will continue to read these configurations without the need for additional effort or cost.

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What types of elements can be configured?

The user can define new database fields, tables, views, field labels, and business rules. This provides tremendous latitude to configure the system to meet your particular needs.

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Can I get assistance from FM:Systems with configuration?

Yes. We typically perform the initial configuration for customers as part of our on-site system implementation service. On an ongoing basis, FM:Systems' technical support staff can provide advice and guidance to users doing their own configuring.

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Does FM:Systems software include a report writer?

Yes. Users may specify three levels of sorting and have complete control over the fields to be printed, the width of columns, and column headers. A 'user-friendly' expression builder assists in specifying query filters. Users may create and save an unlimited number of reports. Because FM:Systems' database is ODBC compliant, third-party reporting tools, such as Crystal Reports and MS Reporting Services, can also be used to view the data.

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Can the system be password protected?

Yes. Password protection can be applied to tables, views, and fields. Privileges can be specified for read/write, read-only, or no access.

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Can I export data to a file?

Yes, the report system allows exporting of data to several formats of ASCII and HTML files.

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Does the system support multiple users simultaneously?

Yes. FM:Interact is designed to accommodate concurrent multi-user access over a network utilizing record locking to ensure data integrity.

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What versions of AutoCAD does FM:Interact support?

FM:CAD 2010 (FM:Systems’ OEM version of AutoCAD) or AutoCAD versions 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008.  When using Revit the version must be 2010 or 2011.

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What is FM:CAD?

FM:CAD is the result of a partnership between Autodesk and FM:Systems using Autodesk's OEM CAD Engine. FM:CAD is an easy-to-use, affordable CAD package integrated with the FM:Interact database and using standard AutoCAD 2006 DWG files as the native file format.

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Can FM:Interact data be accessed over the Web?

Yes. FM:Interact provides corporate-wide access to drawings and facility data over corporate intranets. FM:Interact uses an enhanced version of the AutoCAD DWF Viewer plug-in that allows viewing of CAD floor plans. An intuitive map-based geographic front end lets users click down to a given location. A fast reporting engine delivers facility reports over the web.

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How is FM:Interact packaged?

The FM:Interact Workplace Management Suite includes three central activities or tools needed by most facility managers for managing space. Modules in the base package are:

• Space Management
• Strategic Planning
• Asset Management
  
  

• Move Management
• Facility Maintenance Management (for Service Requests, Work Orders, and Preventative Maintenance activities)
• Real Estate Portfolio Management
• Project Management
• Sustainability
  
  

• Seat (one user)
• Site (unlimited number of users at a location)

Please contact FM:Systems' sales for more information, or register online to receive more information.

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How long will it take us to get up and running?

With our RightPath™ implementation process, customers can expect to be operational in three months for an average installation.

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Why is your product better than the competition?

• Comprehensive Our software is designed to meet the diverse needs of facilities managers. Each module has been carefully developed to reflect input from our customers over the past 22 years.

• Easy to use Our products have interfaces designed for both power users and occasional users - ensuring a quick learning curve and ongoing success.

• Flexible Users can configure software to map to their business processes.

• Rapid implementation Using our proven IWMS implementation methodology, RightPath™, FM:Systems typically delivers successful projects in just three months.

• Industry Standards FM:Interact is seamlessly integrated with AutoCAD, the industry CAD standard. As such, as-built drawings are easily transformed into data rich facilities tools. We also leverage industry standard database and development platforms.

• Direct Customer Support Our experienced and dedicated staff is always available to provide the highest level of support to our customers.

• Cost-effective Licensing and Pricing Our site license structure saves on future software costs. This keeps your cost down at project start-up and through the life of your IWMS project.

Who are your clients?

FM:Systems supports customers throughout North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific, representing a wide range of corporations, government, educational, health care organizations and architectural and design firms. Some firms track portfolios with millions of square feet and thousands of employees. We also have many users managing mid-sized firms.

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What type of customer support do you offer?

FM:Systems provides unlimited technical support of our products by telephone, e-mail, and Web-based User Forums. Full support includes free software updates and upgrades and 2 days of training at FM:Site.

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We already have Maximo. How does your software integrate with CMMS systems?

FM:Systems products can be integrated with your existing CMMS systems. Customers often use FM:Interact as the interface for service requests for employees - flipping the service requests to their existing CMMS system for dispatch and fulfillment.

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Can your system link with our existing corporate databases?

FM:Systems products are ODBC compatible, enabling links to existing databases. If direct links are not desired, simple import/export routines can be used to coordinate FM:Systems data with corporate databases.

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Can your product be configured?

Yes. Users can easily configure predefined tables, fields, views and reports. These configurations are guaranteed to flow to the next release as you upgrade.

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What types of consulting services do you provide?

In the Facility Management industry IWMS has become the choice in automating facility management processes and data. Due to the lack of resources and time, the industry is beginning to see a trend in IWMS systems becoming "shelf ware". FM:Systems is dedicated to reduce the number of IWMS "shelf ware" by providing a smooth and successful implementation of your new system. Consulting costs will vary depending on the scope of the project. Services include:

• Needs Analysis
• Project Support
• CAD Services
• Data Integration
• Training
• Custom Reporting

How is system security handled?

System security is handled at several levels - by project, activity, table, view or field.

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Do we have to learn AutoCAD in order to use your product?

Although some knowledge of AutoCAD is helpful, many of our users have never used CAD. During the training sessions, users learn some basic AutoCAD commands. Alternatively, you may choose to purchase FM:CAD, which is a simpler program to learn.

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On what platforms does your software run?

FM:Interact utilizes the latest Web technology running under Microsoft Internet Information Server, Microsoft 2003 or 2008 Server operating systems. Internet Explorer version 7.0 and higher is supported.  Supported databases include Microsoft SQL Server versions 2005, 2008, or 2008 R2; and Oracle versions 10g and 11.

CAD Interface: Includes a bi-directional interface to AutoCAD Releases 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 or our own FM:CAD.

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Will FM:Systems software work with AutoCAD 2010?

Yes, AutoCAD 2006, 2008, 2009 and 2010 are supported.

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