Cubicle quest: Strategic Facilities provides mapping software for office remodeling and emergency preparedness.

In an age when buildings are designed on computers, it makes sense that an architecture firm would start a service that allows clients to manage their buildings on computers.

Los Angeles-based Rothenberg Sawasy Architects Inc. last year created the Strategic Facilities Group, which provides corporate clients with interactive software that includes maps of their buildings and offices. The software can help companies with their emergency preparedness; the maps can be used for evacuation planning and even tot rescues.

But the primary use is to help businesses manage their space more efficiently. For example, an office manager could call up the maps on a computer and "move" furniture and cubicles around to shoehorn another work station or two into existing space.

"By managing their buildings more efficiently, companies can work with assignments and reduce cost with their space," said Steve Mandic, director of Strategic Facilities Group. "It gives them a competitive edge over the competition."

Rothenberg Sawasy developed the group, which has a client list that includes Pacific Western Bank and Mazda North American Operations, because there was a need for ongoing management at facilities the architecture firm had a hand in designing, said Mandic.

"Typically, an architectural design firm will work with a client and then isn't in contact with them until there is another project," Mandic said. "But we have a lot of services to offer them between projects now."

Emergency preparedness

Since 9/11, emergency preparedness has been a hot topic in the corporate world, making the Strategic Facilities Group's mapping software more attractive. Digitized maps include the location of emergency equipment, such as fire extinguishers. as well as evacuation routes and the like.

These maps can be posted on the Internet, making them accessible in times of crisis. They also can be sent to personal data assistants so that every employee has an up-to-date record of the evacuation routes, the location of each work station and other information.

"We get a lot of calls for just the emergency preparedness side of it," Mandic said.

The firm has mapped about 1 million square feet in Los Angeles and another 1.5 million square feet in Ventura and San Diego counties.

"'It's been very helpful," said Rumi Walsh, facilities and administration manager for Mazda North American Operations. Walsh said that the firm updated a 20-year-old evacuation plan for Mazda offices in Irvine as part of its emergency preparedness.

In addition to me digital mapping services. Strategic Facilities Group has expanded its services to include on-site training of companies' emergency preparedness personnel.

"We are examining people's buildings for all the emergency equipment already in place," Mandic said. After that information is posted on the Web for use in a crisis, the firm helps companies round out their emergency supplies with flashlights and first-aid kits, among other items.

However, Bo Mitchell, a Connecticut-based emergency consultant, said that while the Internet-based emergency preparedness services are useful, most businesses can't take advantage of them. That's because most companies don't issue their employees PDAs that can receive the information.

"It is not a common tool," said Mitchell, who is president of 911 Consulting. "Unfortunately most companies in the private sector don't have that capability ready to go."

Nonetheless, Mitchell, who does consulting for Health Net Inc. and Exxon Mobil Corp., said that making data available on the Web is useful, particularly to emergency responders. It allows "an instant commander who has never been in a building before, when they are going through the door, (they know) what they are going into."

Efficiencies

Mickey McClune, a real estate consultant with MKC Asset Management, said that his firm often works with Strategic Facilities Group--both companies refer clients to the other.

McClune said that MKC clients are most interested in Strategic Facilities Group's facility mapping services.

Once a client begins using the firm's services, "They don't need to have the expertise in house," McClune said.

"Most likely they didn't have the expertise to begin with."

Mandic said that his company uses off-the-shelf computer programs in conjunction with proprietary software to create its editable, digitized building maps. The maps can be used for everything from organizing the maintenance schedule to office remodeling.

"Let's say you want to re-carpet the building. You know the exact square footage," Mandic said. "If you want to furnish it, you know the square footage and furniture layout. You can even move furniture around on screen."

The firm also benchmarks clients' facilities against the offices of competitors, so companies know how others are staying organized.

"We will do a lot of field work," Mandic said.

Walsh said that Mazda updated its floor plans at the 120,000-square-foot complex in Irvine using Strategic Facilities Group's help.

"We don't have any problems with the new plan," she said.

And there's room for growth at Strategic Facilities, since offices aren't the only potential customers. Mandic said that the firm plans to provide the mapping services for retail developments, such as malls.

"They are excited about what we are doing for corporate clients," he said.

Strategic Facilities Group

Core Business: Providing Web-based, interactive digital maps of offices and buildings

Employees in 2005:2

Employees in 2006:5

Goal: To assist clients by delivering flexible software that allows them to make strategic business decisions

Driving Force: The need of companies to manage their space more efficiently and digitally map emergency preparedness plans

BY DANIEL MILLER 

Staff Reporter