Key FM takes pride in the international face of our business. From our beginnings in Doune in Scotland, we now have a global reach into more than 20 countries around the world. 

In this tradition we are pleased to introduce Thepparit Sinthamrongruk, the latest addition to our pioneering team looking at the role of technology in the FM landscape. Thapparit is currently studying for his PHD in the School of Computing, Engineering and Physical Sciences with the University of the West of Scotland (UWS), funded by the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship (SMARTLING Project). He is a lecturer at The College of Arts, Media and Technology in his native Thailand at the University of Chiang Mai.  

This collaborative research project between Key FM and UWS will deliver an industry-leading FM platform capable of autonomous facilities operation, nanosecond procurement, asset monitoring and optimisation. A highly innovative package will be delivered via a user-friendly dashboard that provides both deep insight and integration across multiple FM systems and platforms. 

Thepparit comments “I really appreciate all the support from UWS, Key FM and Chiang Mai University for giving me an opportunity to do this research. I believe that this research activity can develop the Digital Twin model for industries and businesses and can develop cooperation between Scotland and Thailand in the future.”

Ashwini Konanahalli, lecturer at UWS said  “This world-leading KTP programme offers a great opportunity for us (academics) to work on industry–related issues and create a real-world change. Through this collaboration with Key FM we not only aim to develop an end to end digital ecology but also produce academic papers in high-quality peer-reviewed journals. Most importantly, this project provides me with new insights and examples from practice, which then informs my teaching. In fact, Gordon Mitchell, CIO of KeyFM delivered a guest lecture for my Master’s students, which went down so well that one student is already exploring the possibility of a PhD in Facilities Management.”

The brave new world of Digital Twins

Thepparit’s remit is to develop an end-to-end Digital Ecology offering with a specific focus on Autonomous Facilities Management. This holistic methodology involves connecting relevant information from FM systems such as 3D models, CAFM, BMS, ERP and sensor data. This capability to achieve real-time visibility of the entire supply chain and come up with situation-centric models has the potential to positively disrupt the FM market and transform building operations.   

Facilities Management meets Global Standards

Thepparit points out “The interesting thing of this research is to develop an FM Digital Ecology under recommendations from Stan and Gordon Mitchell, Chair of the ISO/TC 267 for Facility Management and Chair of ISO TC 267 FM AG1 – FMTTG “

Indeed, as Gordon Mitchell is our leading light on matters of technology in the FM space, we can be sure that under his guidance the solutions developed by Thepparit will be a perfect fit with the practical needs of the FM industry. Evidencing once again the positive outcomes that can be produced when academia and businesses such as Key FM work together.