New interface for the MainManager system

My name is Hilmar Steinthorsson and I started working with MainManager in 2001. I know I’m a dinosaur : )

In this blogpost I’m going to recap a little bit the history of the MainManager solution. I will also tell you about the exciting work that is going on at the moment. We are working on a brand new interface for the MainManager system. For the past 18 years I’ve taken part in many redesigns and changes to the MainManager system. I have to say though, that the current design we are working on, is the most exciting yet!

MainManager version 10

When I started working at MainManager, the solution was only available as a Windows program. It was accessible through something called terminal server.  The web technology was on the rise and the goal for MainManager was to design a 100% web-based solution.  That goal was first accomplished in 2010, with the release of version 10. This allowed our customers to work with all their processes on the web for the first time, without the use of a windows program on the side.

MainManager version 11

In 2012 we released version 11 of the MainManager solution.  That version contained a newly designed interface implemented with the latest web technologies available at that time.  We introduced a new process layout that guided the users through a specific process within MainManager. For the past 7 years we have made small adjustments and additions to this interface. Today our customers are using version 11.14 of the MainManager solution. Version 11 has served our customers well for this time, but is starting to show it’s wear and tear, especially with all the exciting new web technology that has emerged over the past few years. Also, the demands of our customers have changed with new devices available, such as powerful smartphones and tablets.  As a result of that we have been working on a complete redesign of the MainManager interface, using all the new technologies available.

 

MainManager version 11 – Setup of sites process

 

Facility Management is a big field that contains a lot of complex processes. The challenge when designing a FM solution is to be able to work with all these processes, while keeping it simple and intuitive for the user of the solution. Through the years we have listened to our customers while also comming up with new ideas internally.  Therefore, when we started working on the redesign of the MainManager interface, we wrote down some design goals that we would try to accomplish throughout the whole process.

Simplify as much as possible

Even though the subject of Facility Management can be a complex subject, it doesn’t mean that the FM system has to be.  In the design of the new interface we have asked the question constantly: “How can we make this as simple as possible for the end user?”. To start with we have broken down the subjects that MainManager offers into independent processes that are predefined and require minimal setup. Each process provides extensive help and guidelines and all relevant settings are readily available.  We have kept all the things that make MainManager great, such as extensive filtering possibilities, grouping of data and accessability. In the new interface though, they are presented in a more non intrusive way.  If you are not using the feature it does not interfere, but access to it is only one click away.

Responsive design

Responsive design is an approach to web design that makes web pages render well on any device and screen size.  In the new design we have used all the latest technologies available, to make every process within the solution usable no matter the device used.

 

The same module on a big screen and a small screen

The same module on a big screen and a small screen

Performance

In today’s world users are used to have access to information within microseconds.  That can be difficult to achieve when dealing with large amounts of data as the MainManager solution does.  We have completely redesigned how we present and work with data within the solution using all the latest client side technologies available.  All unnecessary refreshes have been removed and in those places that need updating of data asynchronous web service calls are used to enhance the user experience as much as possible.

Graphics

For the past years it has been possible to use what we call the 3 graphical worlds in MainManager.  Those worlds are GIS maps, interactive drawings (2D) and BIM models (3D).  It gives the user of a FM system a big advantage to be able to use these graphical worlds within his daily work for viewing information and creating it.  The problem within the current solution is that these possibilities are not as visible as they should be and therefore are not used to their full capabilities.  In the new interface, we have worked on adding these graphical capabilities to every process, by making them readily available no matter where the user is and no matter what he is doing.

 

GIS map used to show buildings

GIS map used to show buildings.

 

Possible to open up a BIM model directly from the map

You have the possibility to open up a BIM model directly from the map.

One click setup

Our goal with the new design is to be able to offer a solution that can be up and running within minutes.  The biggest hurdle in that is to populate the system with the customers relevant data such as their sites and buildings.  Therefore, we have added integrations to the public data services such as Matrikkel in Norway and BBR in Denmark.  With just one click the customer can then populate the solution with the data available in these services.  All import of data has also been redesigned in a way that the user should always have a way to populate the solution with needed data no matter the data source.

User defined

An addition to our new interface, is the possibility for our users to create their own property windows, lists, filters and new fields.  This greatly reduces the cost for our customers since these things don‘t have to be programmed any more.

When

We estimate releasing the new interface for the MainManager system to our customers later this year. We are so looking forward to allowing them to experience a completely new MainManager. Hopefully it will give them the feel of all the hard work and joy that we have poured into it. Until that time I can give you a sneak preview of the new design through this video that shows the Helpdesk process within MainManager.

 

Stay in touch

If you want further information about us, and how the new interface could work for you, please contact us, and subscribe to our newsletter!

 

Until next time I bid you farewell.

Hilmar

Case story: University of Copenhagen

Implementation at KU – University of Copenhagen

In august 2016, Mainmanager and University of Copenhagen (Københavns Universitet) made a contract on implementing MainManager as a Facility Management solution for the University. One faculty from the University had already been a customer for a few years. At this point they decided to expand the usage to the other faculties, so employees at the University could use the same system to manage their buildings. The University build mass counts around 970.000 square meters floor area.

When a project like this starts, time schedules and milestones are set down for the coming work. The first part – setup of the building structure and a space management module – was successfully launched in fall 2017. In this cooperation we developed new things in our Space management module regarding how the University manages the use and lease of their building spaces. KU, like so many of our Danish customers use 2D drawings a lot in this work. It was very exciting to be a part of developing new things to extend this usage further.

Furthermore, after launch of the first part and an integration to IdM, which manages the organization and employee structure of KU, we planned to launch helpdesk, operation planning and management with work orders and Navision integration for finance at the end of 2018. This was the biggest part of the project. Since the processes are going to be widely used inside the organization, we saw it was necessary to keep all parts involved and allow each project owner to have a saying for the final solution. Therefore we have used a lot of time defining, designing, describing and decisioning to make sure that everyone gets a system they can use in their daily work. When I am writing these lines we have nearly reached the finish point, modules are being accepted and “Go live” is just ahead.

Getting together in Iceland

In august 2018 a group of people from the implementation team at KU came to visit MainManager head office in Iceland. The main focus of this trip was to synchronize our minds before going into the final phase of the implementation, but also to get to know each other and the two companies better.

In the week before, all participants of this gathering found a picture that represented the culture of their nation. They also wrote a note on difference in the culture between the two companies. The interesting part is that most everyone agreed on the cultural difference between these companies. KU is a big organisation with many various employees and aspects. Decision making is a long process and things are not implemented without careful consideration from a wide range. MainManager is quite the opposite. We are a small unit and decisions on all kinds of matters are made by few persons quite quickly. We are flexible and execute right away after a decision has been made.

After this great work session I think all of us are more aware of this cultural difference. I am pretty sure it has helped me to understand the project and the participants of the implementation better. We at MainManager need to learn to be patient and allow good things to grow slowly. I have been so lucky to get the chance to be involved and see how the KU team works closely together and how they value each others opinion. Communication is the key in this cooperation. I find that participants in this implementation are positive and enthusiastic to make this project a success.

Almost there

In January 2019 most of KU employees will be using MainManager in their daily work. Students of the University will also use it to register incidents. We surely hope that the MainManager will simplify internal processes at the University and give an excellent facility management overview in the coming future.

If you want to hear more about our solutions, please contact us, and subscribe to our newsletter!

”Probably the best beer in the world”

The Carlsberg Group Real Estate department have decided to digitise important areas of the maintenance of their building portfolio. The implementation starts with a pilot project to test and verify future processes before the full implementation of MainManager early 2018, and an expected BIM-import of Carlsberg’s new HQ by early 2020.

MainManager has been chosen to deliver the new digital processes for preventive and reactive maintenance at Carlsberg, and a comprehensive space management module has been added to the solution for the 63.000 m2 of office and warehouse facilities in Copenhagen. Carlsberg is updating and digitising all drawings before they are uploaded to MainManager in the early autumn of 2017.

During the implementation process all employees will be key stakeholders and major contributors to the changes and new processes to be implemented at Carlsberg.  Here at MainManager we are extremely proud to be included in these changes.

Finn Chabert, Real Estate Manager, explains: “In the evaluation of the different IWMS-solutions in the market, it was important that the digitisation of our workspace should make the daily execution of our work much smarter and more agile. We believe that MainManager supports simplicity and that they understand how to make the processes tangible and easy to understand for our employees and colleagues.  Long term, we are also very excited to see how the build of data in MainManager will support informed/smart decision-making in the future.”

www.carlsberg.com

Gísli Heimisson has been appointed the CEO of MainManager

Gísli Heimisson has been appointed the new CEO of MainManager.
Gísli has extensive experience from the business sector, he was the COO at MP Bank until spring 2015 and previously the CIO at Glitnir Bank. Gísli has years of experience in information technology and management, both as a buyer and seller. Gísli has played a number of confidential positions and has served on the boards of numerous companies.

Gísli is a 59-year-old engineer Msc. From the Technical University of Denmark. He is married to Þorgerður Ragnarsdóttir nurse.

ALLIANCE+

ALLIANCE+ has signed a contract for the use of the MainManager software. The software will be used to manage resources and to measure Service Level Agreements (SLA) and Key Performance Indicators (KPI).

Customers of ALLIANCE+ will be given access to MainManager where they can view the status of all the Key Performance Indicators of their Service Level Agreement.

ALLIANCE+ management will be given access to MainManager‘s management portal where they can update and manage their daily tasks through the MainManager app.

ALLIANCE+ is the third largest cleaning company in Denmark and the fifth largest in Sweden. ALLIANCE+ has over 4500 employees responsible for cleaning over 5 million square meters in both countries combined.

Their clients include some of the largest companies in Denmark and Sweden, retail chains, retail stores, shopping centers and companies in all branches of the public sector.

Central Denmark Region chooses MainManager

Central Denmark Region has signed an agreement with ICEconsult for the use of MainManager. MainManager will be used to optimize and manage the operation and maintenance of Central Denmark Region ‘s asset portfolio, which consists of more than 1.200.000 square metres.

All information regarding Central Denmark Region ‘s portfolio will be transferred to MainManager in order to create a basis for an optimal view of tasks, resources, energy  consumption and real estate costs. In the first phase of the implementation the focus will be on importing all Central Denmark Region ‘s existing data to MainManager. Central Denmark Region has several large hospitals under construction which will be added to the system in the later stages of the project. MainManager was chosen from a group of similar systems and was awarded a four year contract.

Central Denmark Region

Central Denmark Region is one of five administrative units in Denmark. Their primary responsibility is healthcare, involving responsibility for hospital services, including psychiatry, health insurance, general practitioners and specialists. In addition the region operates a number of social institutions. Around 30.000 employees work to carry out regional tasks at all levels.

“A mature and modern system”
The Danish FM-magazine optimizing writes about the selection
of MainManager at Central Denmark Region.

Large municipality in Denmark chooses MainManager

In the western part of Zealand, Denmark – MainManager is implementing a comprehensive CAFM-solution for Slagelse kommune.

Slagelse kommune (Center for drift og anlæg, Kommunale ejendomme) chooses MainManager to support professional administration of the properties in the municipality.

Data from more than 425.000 m2 will be submitted to the system, and the scope of the project is implementing modules for maintenance, operation, energy surveillance, processes for building inspections, interactive drawings, BIM and the project web module.

Rambøll is handing over Rambyg to MainManager in Denmark

Another significant milestone has been added to the 20 years old history of MainManager. Years of excellent collaboration between Rambøll Denmark and MainManager have resulted in a friendly handover of Rambølls software solution Rambyg to MainManager.

“Today we are very proud, but also very focused on the task that we have ahead of us – to us, the journey is starting today, and we are looking forward to meeting Rambyg users and presenting them a CAFM system that meets the requirements of the future” says Gert Mølgaard, CEO, MainManger Denmark.

Read more about the agreement in Rambølls press release. Click here.

University of Copenhagen

University of Copenhagen and ICEconsult has entered into an agreement on the implementation of MainManager CAFM. The work started with the agreement on submission of procedures for “construction to operation” for the new extension of Panun complex.

The project is visualized in this video by Rambøll

Secondly we are modeling the right setup of MainManager modules at the old University. The University also intent to use the mobile alert for interaction between the users and the FM-department.

Facts: University of Copenhagen has a total of 950,000 m2 of buildings.

Kalundborg kommune

In Denmark The municipality of Kalundborg have chosen MainManager CAFM to go along with the implementation of facility management processes. Kalundborg is starting out offering 3.500 employees access to a helpdesk for registration incidences and reactive maintenance.

Kalundborg is pursuing a long-term strategy on facility management, and MainManager is supporting every FM-decision with the right FM-process and key performance indicators measuring the expected improvements.

Phase 2 is implementing processes for preventative maintenance and space management

Facts: Kalundborg, 49.000 citizens, 220.000 m2 space management.