The life sciences industry is evolving at a breakneck pace, driven by groundbreaking research, increased funding and relentless innovation. This rapid growth introduces new challenges in managing complex facilities, from global R&D labs and manufacturing plants to clinical trial centers.
To tackle these challenges, organizations are rethinking their approach to Integrated Facilities Management (IFM). Whether choosing between aggregators and self-performing providers or adopting the latest technological trends, effective facilities management (FM) is critical for companies to maintain rigorous standards and achieve operational goals.
Aggregators vs. Self-Performance
Traditionally, organizations have leaned toward two FM models: aggregators or self-performance. On one side, the FM aggregation model offers flexibility by acting as a single point of contact while outsourcing services to a network of trusted vendors. This approach can be especially attractive for companies looking to scale quickly.
Through aggregators, facilities can tap into niche expertise — like maintaining cleanrooms or optimizing lab equipment performance — without building all the in-house human infrastructure required for self-performance. Although this can reduce facility costs and enable rapid deployment across multiple sites, the trade-off often comes in the form of variable service quality and less direct control, which can be challenging in an industry where precision and regulatory compliance are non-negotiable.
In contrast, life science companies that choose to partner with self-performing FM providers gain management of facilities through dedicated teams employed by the partner organizations. This model offers a high level of control and consistency, ensuring that everyone adheres to the same procedures and quality standards in all locations. Direct oversight means faster decision-making and a quicker response to issues, which is crucial in life science facilities where downtime or errors can have significant consequences.
Organizations could also choose to operate on their own by building an in-house FM team. However, this option is impractical for most given the multifaceted and complex nature of the work, along with the time and investment necessary to cultivate a functional FM operation. For most life sciences organizations, building close partnerships with facilities management experts allows them to focus on their mission instead of the day-to-day functioning and maintenance of their spaces.
Embracing Industry Transformation
Choosing to outsource facilities management brings additional benefits for life science organizations, including the opportunity to embrace the transformative trends reshaping the built environment. One standout trend is the rise of smart building technology. IoT-enabled systems provide facility managers real-time insights into everything from HVAC performance and energy consumption to the efficiency of lab equipment. This technological edge not only helps maintain compliance with strict industry regulations but also boosts overall operational efficiency.
Another gamechanger in today’s facility management is predictive maintenance, powered by AI and machine learning. By analyzing historical data and monitoring equipment usage, facilities teams can identify potential issues before they escalate into major problems. This proactive approach minimizes downtime and ensures that critical research and manufacturing processes continue uninterrupted, an invaluable benefit in sectors like the life sciences where every second counts.
Sustainability is also taking center stage in the evolution of IFM. With growing pressure to meet global ESG goals, life sciences organizations are increasingly focused on making their facilities greener. From designing energy-efficient buildings to implementing waste reduction initiatives, IFM providers are the obvious choice to lead sustainability efforts across the entire facility lifecycle. Their focus on operations and experiences not only aligns with environmental goals but also enables both long-term cost savings and improved operational performance.
A People-First Approach
For many companies, IFM represents a practical shift toward more centralized coordination, exceptional service delivery and improved cost efficiency. True integration goes beyond a simple combination of services — it’s about developing fully integrated teams with a deep knowledge of operational needs and a passion for building strategic partnerships.
With IFM teams sharing best practices and insights across accounts to promote continuous improvement, life sciences organizations rely on these partners to help create safer and more productive environments for their people. By working directly within life sciences facilities and remaining well-versed in company goals, IFM providers can act as extensions of their teams and support their strategic and operational visions. Integration is more than service consolidation — it embodies the alignment of people, processes and purpose to ensure consistently excellent outcomes.
It’s About More than Just Building Operations
In many ways, the decision between using an FM aggregator or a self-performing provider is no longer just about control versus flexibility — it’s also about how well the provider aligns building maintenance, technology, employee experiences and ESG commitments to create smarter, more sustainable facilities. While many of our competitors opt for the aggregator model exclusively, ISS can provide both aggregation and self-delivery depending on your operational needs. As a self-performing IFM partner with strong strategic vendor relationships, ISS ensures high standards of service and compliance while also leveraging cutting-edge technology to enhance efficiency, sustainability and cost-effectiveness.
By choosing ISS as your IFM partner, you gain a strategic ally dedicated to helping you navigate the complexity of facilities management in the life sciences sector. Our commitment to innovation, precision and operational excellence makes us the ideal partner for organizations looking to streamline, scale and achieve long-term goals.
Learn more about how the right IFM strategy can transform your life sciences facilities. Contact us to discover a customized approach that keeps operations running smoothly while also supporting your broader mission for innovation and impact.
