Data-driven, human-enabled: The new model for sustainable facilities

ABM Contributors

Suzanne M. Klatt, Director of Sustainability and Government Affairs

Gordon Buntrock, National Director of Service Delivery

Camp Boyd, Energy & Sustainability Director

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Key Takeaways

1. ‍Sustainability must move from reporting to operations. Environmental performance is no longer a disclosure exercise—it is an operational discipline. Real impact occurs when sustainability metrics are embedded into daily facility management, not reviewed annually.‍
2. Data visibility drives cost control and asset performance. Fragmented systems and vendor silos obscure inefficiencies. Integrated facilities services and real-time intelligence platforms enable measurable reductions in energy, waste, and labor costs—often delivering ~30% energy savings and multi-million-dollar lifecycle value.‍
3. Technology creates potential; frontline teams create results. IoT sensors, AI-powered waste systems, and predictive analytics identify opportunities—but trained personnel execute the adjustments that deliver savings, uptime, and compliance. Resilience is human-enabled.‍
4. Closed-loop operations compound value over time. When insights translate into action—and those actions generate new performance data—facilities shift from reactive maintenance to continuous optimization. This feedback loop strengthens uptime, extends asset life, and improves capital planning accuracy.‍
5. AI and predictive analytics will redefine facilities management. The next competitive advantage lies in anticipatory operations: predictive maintenance, intelligent work order prioritization, automated reporting, and cross-portfolio benchmarking. This transforms facilities from a cost center into a strategic performance engine.

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The sustainability imperative is going through a transformation

As businesses adjust to a new operational environment—one in which extreme temperatures, natural disasters, and volatility are the new norm—the focus has shifted to resiliency. It’s a shift that has many facility owners asking, "How can infrastructure investments be both cost-effective and sustainable?"

In part one of this series, we discussed some of the ways that ABM clients transform their businesses, reduce operational expenses, and protect their assets against climate volatility. Technology, including electrification, microgrids, and EV fleet charging infrastructure, is just one piece of the puzzle, however. True operational sustainability requires two other key components: data and people.  

There’s an overwhelming consensus that sustainability needs to move from reporting to operations—from strategy to implementation. This move requires data.

"The  number one challenge for facilities looking to operationalize sustainability is in the lack of data. You can’t manage what you can’t measure,” said Suzanne M. Klatt, Director of Sustainability and Government Affairs.  

Sustainability becomes actionable when data is embedded into daily facility operations. Tools like ABM Connect™ give facilitiy managers advanced analytics and actionable intelligence to optimize energy usage, manage waste, and improve operational efficiency. It makes transparent the areas where facilities, engineering, and infrastructure can be improved in a single, clear dashboard.  

These insights can be communicated to the workforce that makes it all come together. The human element is at the heart of a successful resilience strategy. It’s the frontline teams who translate reporting into action, whether it’s using sustainable cleaning solutions, installing AI-powered waste sensors, or executing closed-loop models that allow systems to continuously improve.  

In part two of this series, we’ll describe why data, people, and culture are integral to delivering successful operational sustainability—and what this means for your business.

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How data enables sustainable facilities

Armed with the right data, facilities operators can make smart decisions to cut energy, water, and material waste while maintaining comfort and performance.  

“Sustainability is no longer just a cost center—it's become integrated into how we manage facilities,” said Suzanne M. Klatt.  

Without the right tools, facilities struggle with inconsistent data formats, gaps and siloes in data, and the need to liaise with multiple vendors to validate information.  

The solution: integrated facilities services. ABM Performance Solutions unifies facility, engineering, and infrastructure needs under one agreement, eliminating a fragmented vendor landscape, strengthening operational resilience, and reducing costs and extending the lifecycle of the building. Most Performance Solutions customers see a 30% reduction in energy costs.  

At West Mifflin Area School District in Pennsylvania, the district deployed an integrated approach across six schools to overcome budget pressures and growing infrastructure needs. The result: $9.9 million in long-term savings—achieved without new debt or tax increases.

Once a facility’s core services are consolidated under a single provider, it’s much easier to spot areas for cost-savings, energy efficiency, and better labor utilization. Facilities can start measuring for better management.

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Data-driven sustainability: the ABM Connect platform

For commercial building owners to move from strategy to execution, sustainability data should be available at the cadence of business decisions, not just for annual reports. ABM Connect turns raw facility, energy, service, and IoT data into real-time actionable metrics and up-to-date KPIs—available at a glance.

The data intelligence platform empowers clients to drive measurable outcomes in service delivery and building performance. Users leverage ABM Connect's actionable intelligence to optimize energy use, reduce waste, and improve operational efficiency across their portfolios. ABM Connect is now in use in 6,000+ facilities, where frontline teams and operational leaders can monitor performance and respond quickly to emerging issues.

ABM Connect also harnesses data from technology deployed across client facilities:

• IoT Sensor Technology: Sensors in paper towel dispensers monitor usage, alert for refills, and optimize restocking schedules—saving labor and reducing waste. These sensors track restroom traffic patterns and integrate with ABM Connect for proactive servicing.
• AI-Powered Waste Management: In partnership with Recycle Track Systems, the Pello sensor uses AI to monitor bin fill levels, track container locations, and identify contamination—enabling smarter servicing, lower costs, and improved diversion rates.
• Robotic Cleaning Systems: Programs with robotic vacuums automate routine tasks, allowing team members to focus on detailed, high-touch cleaning that elevates overall standards.

But technology is only half the equation. Data and automation create the potential for better outcomes—but it’s trained, empowered frontline teams that turn that potential into reality.

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Data-driven, human-enabled

The most sophisticated platform means nothing without people who understand how to act on its insights and take ownership of sustainability goals.  

“We're nothing without our 100,000 team members,” said Suzanne M. Klatt. “Taking care of our team is equally as important to us as looking at the environmental piece.”

The ABM Cares program is one way that ABM prioritizes team members while expanding impact. Through ABM Cares, team members are encouraged to volunteer and donate to causes that are meaningful to them.  

From a technology perspective, the goal for workers at every level is empowerment. The ABM TEAM Connect mobile app makes it easy for team members and supervisors to communicate in real time. Team members can log in to see their task lists, report issues they see across the facility, and even send photos for faster issue resolution. The data syncs with ABM Connect to make sure managers get a complete view of the facility's operational status.  

Managers can also access Connect’s predictive maintenance features, enabling preventative work on expensive CAPEX assets to extend their lifespan. This saves money in costly replacements—and when a replacement is necessary, managers get plenty of warning before the system fails.

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1. Innovative, Sustainable Cleaning

ABM is developing a comprehensive tracking system to classify and monitor spending on environmentally-certified products.  

“GreenCare is a list of selected products and equipment that are recognized by an outside association, whether that’s LEED or Green Seal or another third party,” explained Gordon Buntrock, National Director of Service Delivery. “It takes the guesswork out of finding a sustainable cleaning product, and managers can automatically track procurement metrics. Clients can access their green procurement data via their ABM Connect dashboard and get a clear view needed for compliance with certification standards.”  

GreenCare offers a way to utilize innovative chemical solutions and tools that have minimal environmental impact, such as:

• Electrolyzed Water (EO): EO, a non-toxic cleaning and sanitizing solution, is an alternative to chemical detergents and biocides. It remains effective for several weeks and can be concentrated to transport to multiple locations. EO can also be formulated to meet the EPA disinfectant standards
• OdorBac Tec: ABM's primary cleaning product in the U.K., selected for its minimal environmental impact. OdorBac is produced using renewable energy, packaged in refillable containers, and manufactured by a company that offsets its residual emissions. Each container has the capability to be reused multiple times.
• Microfiber technology: Microfiber absorbs up to seven times its weight in water and attracts dirt and dust through its electrostatic charge and ultra-fine fiber structure. Unlike traditional materials like cotton, which typically last far fewer wash cycles, microfiber products can endure 250–500 washes, significantly reducing waste.

Using more sustainable cleaning solutions is good for the environment and for health. GreenCare products minimize or eliminate potential health risks associated with indoor air quality, chemical exposure, particulates, and/or biological contaminants in janitorial maintenance. It’s a simple change that puts frontline workers’ health first.  

The best part? It’s seamless. Managers don’t have to think twice about choosing a product that meets higher sustainability standards.

“Through the purchase portal, we implement sustainability without anybody really thinking about it,” said Gordon Buntrock.

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2. Waste as Intelligence

A responsible waste strategy can strengthen operational performance, improve marketability, and create spaces that today’s tenants and investors are proud to support. Today, waste diversion is evolving into a data-driven optimization opportunity—not just a compliance exercise.  

ABM helps clients divert waste from landfills, lower operating costs, and earn certification credits for programs like LEED certification and True Zero Waste. ABM recently partnered with Mill, the world's first AI-powered, fully automated food recycling solution.

“Mill’s hardware is the size of a regular waste bin. It mills food waste overnight into the size of coffee grounds, all while managing the smell and moisture that come with it. It’s very accessible, which is what makes it so successful,” said Camp Boyd, Job Title.  

Beyond daily waste management support, ABM provides clients with customized monthly reports and waste audits, which consist of a detailed evaluation that establishes baseline waste diversion rates and identifies material composition, facility hotspots, and contamination concerns. We’re helping each facility find improvement opportunities to drive environmental and cost efficiencies.

Read more: How one tech leader achieved 99.9%+ uptime while cutting costs

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3. Closed-Loop Model

Data illuminates the path forward, but people walk it.  

ABM Connect identifies inefficiencies—energy spikes during off-hours, wasteful water practices, underperforming HVAC systems—but these insights only matter when frontline teams act on them. A sensor can detect that a building is overcooled on weekends, but it takes a trained technician to adjust the system, a facilities manager to verify the change, and cleaning crews to report if occupant comfort is affected. Technology spots the opportunity; people deliver the outcome.

In an ideal closed-loop model, the execution toward a better outcome will generate new data.  This data feeds back into ABM Connect, creating a cycle of continuous improvement.  

When teams adjust maintenance schedules based on real-time alerts, the platform tracks whether response times improve and costs decline. When waste diversion strategies change based on contamination data, the system measures whether recycling rates increase.  

Each action becomes a learning opportunity, refining operations and sharpening future insights. It's a loop where technology and human expertise reinforce each other—and where sustainability gains momentum through repetition, not one-time initiatives.

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Future outlook

Where do we go from here?  

The next evolution of facilities management will move beyond reactive problem-solving to anticipatory action. We believe AI will shift the paradigm from "fix what breaks" to "prevent what might fail." Kayla Oliver, Head of Products, Partnerships, and Innovation, anticipates:

• Predictive maintenance 2.0: Advances in AI will help predictive maintenance improve its predictability. The future will bring higher-fidelity forecasts that look months, even a year ahead, enabling smarter capital planning and improved uptime.
• Intelligent work order management: AI-powered agents will not just log tickets, but also prioritize tasks dynamically, ensuring resources are allocated where they have the greatest impact.
• Conversational interfaces: Facilities are people-driven enterprises, and AI will enhance frontline teams’ ability to act. Natural language interfaces will provide real-time guidance and support, embedding AI directly into day-to-day workflows.

By analyzing patterns in equipment performance, environmental conditions, and historical service data, ABM Connect will forecast maintenance needs before systems degrade—reducing downtime, extending asset lifecycles, and eliminating costly emergency repairs.  

Automated reporting will free teams from manual data compilation, delivering customized sustainability dashboards to stakeholders without the administrative burden. CFOs will receive cost-impact analyses, operations leaders will get performance scorecards, and compliance teams will have relevant metrics—all generated automatically and updated in real time.  

And finally, cross-system benchmarking will allow clients to compare performance not just across their own portfolio, but against industry standards and peer facilities. A corporate campus can see how its energy intensity stacks up against similar buildings in the same climate zone, identifying both best practices to replicate and underperformers that need attention.  

Together, these capabilities transform facilities management from a reactive discipline into a strategic advantage—where data doesn't just report what happened, but shapes what happens next.