Under pressure to bring technology products to market faster than ever, advanced manufacturing companies are iterating their business models to scale strategically. Tech business leaders are streamlining processes from day-to-day facility operations to procurement procedures to optimize results, resources and revenue.

As a result, the role of facilities management (FM) professionals has changed. Gone are the days when they only executed work orders or janitorial tasks. These days, leaders in corporate real estate (CRE) are responsible for adding strategic value by implementing operations technologies, improving productivity and reducing costs. Equally important, businesses are relying on FM leaders to create a workplace experience that helps attract, grow and retain talent.

Experienced integrated facility management (IFM) service providers bring a wealth of knowledge to support safe, compliant and efficient manufacturing facilities, R&D environments, warehouses and office spaces. A leading IFM partner will use proven practices and cost-saving initiatives to deliver high-value results.

The following are five ways an IFM partnership can deliver benefits for technology innovators and manufacturers.

Technology innovators occupy a range of different facilities, including offices, lab and manufacturing sites. To prevent disruptions and ensure that your production operations are aligned with business goals, it’s important to ask the right questions about how your facilities are managed.

A qualified IFM outsourcing partner will have the answers you’re seeking and will be experienced in managing a variety of settings and ensuring safe and efficient operations with minimal downtime. They’ll bring deep knowledge of health and safety standards, as well as proven processes and technologies for mitigating risks.

Partnering with a skilled IFM service provider allows your company to focus on its core business, while becoming more agile and better equipped to respond to future challenges and opportunities. An IFM partner will proactively engage with your portfolio’s data and business intelligence to drive better-informed facilities decisions, heighten efficiency and productivity, and manage risk—all while improving financial performance. When thoughtfully structured, an IFM outsourcing partnership can help transform facilities from a cost center into a strategic investment that adds long-term value.