Resources
Facility Management Glossary
A reference guide to the terms, technologies, and concepts shaping modern facility operations—from Value-Based Cleaning™ to workspace planning and IoT-enabled service delivery.
Cleaning & Service Delivery
Value-Based Cleaning™ (VBC)
A service model that shifts cleaning from fixed schedules to verified, outcome-driven delivery. Instead of paying for tasks performed, Value-Based Cleaning™ ties service to measurable results—occupancy-triggered cleaning, verified completion, and quality inspections—so building owners and BSCs pay for value delivered, not activity assumed.
Learn moreProof of Presence (PoP)
Technology that automatically verifies a service worker entered a designated service zone and records arrival, departure, and duration—without QR codes, manual check-ins, or paper logs. Proof of Presence creates an auditable record that contracted work was actually performed.
Learn moreOccupancy-Driven Cleaning
A cleaning approach that prioritizes service based on real-time space usage data rather than fixed schedules. Areas with higher foot traffic receive more frequent attention; low-usage areas are serviced less, optimizing labor allocation and reducing waste.
Learn moreAI Inspections
AI-assisted quality reviews that standardize how cleaning outcomes are measured. By documenting conditions and surfacing exceptions automatically, AI Inspections create verifiable Proof of Quality documentation that connects service activity to measured results.
Learn moreBuilding Service Contractor (BSC)
A company that provides professional cleaning and facility maintenance services to building owners and occupants. BSCs manage cleaning staff, schedules, quality standards, and compliance with service level agreements.
Learn moreContactless Facility Management
An operations approach that uses sensor technology and automated verification to manage facility services without requiring manual check-ins, paper logs, or physical touchpoints. Contactless FM powered by Exact Comms enables hands-free service verification and real-time visibility.
Learn moreClosed-Loop Operations
An operational model where every service event follows a continuous cycle: detect the need, notify the team, verify the response, and inspect the outcome. This closed loop ensures no service request falls through the cracks and creates a complete audit trail.
Service Level Agreement (SLA)
A formal contract between a facility service provider and a building owner that defines expected service standards, frequency, response times, and quality metrics. SLAs are the foundation for measuring whether contracted cleaning and maintenance work is being delivered as agreed.
Workspace & Occupancy
Workspace Planning
The practice of managing how employees reserve and use shared workplace resources—desks, meeting rooms, and parking—in hybrid and flexible office environments. Workspace planning technology gives facility teams visibility into how space is actually used and helps employees book what they need.
Learn moreDesk Hoteling
A flexible seating model where employees reserve desks on demand rather than having assigned seats. Desk hoteling supports hybrid work by ensuring employees can find and book workspace when they come to the office, while giving facility teams data on desk utilization.
Learn moreMeeting Room Booking
A system that allows employees to reserve conference rooms and collaboration spaces in advance or on demand. Meeting room booking prevents conflicts, reduces unused reservations, and provides data on which spaces are most utilized.
Learn moreParking Management
Technology that manages how parking spaces are allocated and reserved across a facility or campus. Parking management systems enable fair access, reduce friction, and provide utilization data that informs long-term planning decisions.
Learn moreOccupancy Management
The real-time measurement of how many people are in a building or specific zone at any given time. Occupancy management goes beyond planning intent to capture actual physical presence, informing everything from cleaning schedules to space utilization decisions.
Learn moreSpace Utilization
A metric that measures how effectively physical space is being used, typically expressed as a percentage of available capacity. Space utilization data helps organizations right-size their real estate footprint, optimize layouts, and justify consolidation or expansion.
Foot Traffic
The volume and pattern of people moving through a space over time. Foot traffic data is essential for occupancy-driven cleaning, security planning, and understanding how different building zones are used throughout the day.
Hybrid Work
A work model where employees split their time between remote and in-office days. Hybrid work creates variable and unpredictable building occupancy, making traditional fixed cleaning schedules and static workspace assignments less effective.
Technology & Systems
Internet of Things (IoT)
A network of physical sensors and connected devices that collect and transmit data about real-world conditions. In facility management, IoT sensors measure occupancy, traffic, environmental conditions, and equipment status—providing the real-time data that powers occupancy-driven cleaning and smart building operations.
Smart Restroom
A restroom equipped with IoT sensors that monitor consumable levels, usage counts, and environmental conditions in real time. Smart restrooms trigger cleaning alerts based on actual usage rather than fixed schedules, improving service efficiency and user experience.
Beacon Technology
Small Bluetooth-enabled devices that broadcast signals to detect when a credentialed worker enters or exits a service zone. Beacons enable hands-free Proof of Presence by automatically registering a worker's arrival and departure without any manual action.
Real-Time Location System (RTLS)
A technology framework that tracks the physical location of people or assets within a building in real time. RTLS uses beacons, Wi-Fi, or other wireless signals to provide facility teams with live visibility into where workers, equipment, and occupants are located.
Occupancy Analytics
The collection, analysis, and visualization of occupancy data to reveal patterns in how buildings and spaces are used. Occupancy analytics transforms raw sensor data into actionable insights for cleaning schedules, space planning, and operational decisions.
Learn moreComputer-Aided Facility Management (CAFM)
Software that helps facility managers plan, manage, and track building maintenance and space usage. CAFM systems typically include space management, asset tracking, maintenance scheduling, and reporting capabilities.
Integrated Workplace Management System (IWMS)
A comprehensive software platform that integrates real estate management, project management, facility maintenance, sustainability, and space management into a single system. IWMS provides a unified view of an organization's physical workplace operations.
Key Performance Indicator (KPI)
A measurable value that indicates how effectively an organization is achieving its operational objectives. In facility management, common KPIs include service compliance rates, cleaning quality scores, response times, space utilization rates, and labor efficiency.
Industry Terms
Facility Management (FM)
The professional discipline of coordinating the physical workspace, services, and infrastructure that support an organization's core operations. Facility management encompasses everything from cleaning and maintenance to space planning, security, and workplace experience.
Soft FM
Facility services focused on people and workplace experience, including cleaning, catering, security, reception, and waste management. Soft FM services are people-delivered and directly impact the day-to-day comfort and functionality of the workplace.
Hard FM
Facility services related to the physical building and its systems, including HVAC maintenance, electrical systems, plumbing, structural repairs, and fire safety. Hard FM services maintain the building's physical infrastructure and operational systems.
Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS)
Software designed to manage maintenance operations, work orders, asset histories, and preventive maintenance schedules. A CMMS helps facility teams track and optimize the upkeep of building systems and equipment.
Put these concepts into practice.
See how Invisible Sun connects occupancy data, service verification, and quality inspections into one operational picture.