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The cheapest isn't always best value for money
11/08/2009 00:00:00
Given the current economic climate, it is understandable that many facilities managers are concerned about the need to reduce internal costs, however chosing a cheap watercooler isn't always the best value for money!
Given the current economic climate, it is understandable that many facilities managers are concerned about the need to reduce internal costs whilst still delivering a high level of property maintenance and management. It is often the small items that can add up when it comes to keeping an eye on the bottom line. Here David Matthews, Managing Director of PHS Waterlogic, argues that while a cheap deal may appear attractive, point of use drinking water procurement is one area where compromise is not an option.
When considering any kind of facilities procurement, it is tempting to opt for the cheapest package to help keep costs to a minimum, however, the cheapest option does not necessarily equate to best value for money.
By looking at all the available alternatives on the market FMs can easily compare the immediate, or face value costs for a particular product. However, many misinterpret a initially low outlay as the best option, without considering the investment that may be required in future maintenance and upkeep costs further down the line. This stands to reason for a number of different products. It’s all too easy to plump for what appears to be the most cost effective, particularly when procuring those seemingly small items and services, such as stationary, small office furniture, and cleaning products. However drinking water is one area where compromise is simply not an option. With waterborne diseases a key concern, the FM also needs to think about the regularity of use such a day to day office item receives, how much repair and maintenance it requires and the costs of cutting corners.
A company that can offer a service and maintenance package alongside its product may look comparatively more expensive at first however, this type of package provides complete peace of mind for the company and its users with no hidden extra costs further down the line. In fact, this is the route to total peace of mind. With a fully-integrated compliance package, there’s even no need to worry when the product comes to the end of its useful life, as the supplier can take charge of removing it and recycling its component parts in a responsible way.
When shopping for a new point of use drinking water supplier, consider a supplier that can offer this approach. A service that is designed to transfer maintenance responsibility for the watercoolers to the supplier, such as PHS Waterlogic’s TotalCare, provides reassurance for FMs that any potential maintenance and servicing will be met as a matter of course within an all-inclusive package with no extra hidden fees.
It is important to weigh up these benefits instead of looking at the face value costs. By choosing a product with a maintenance contract such as this, FMs can be sure that legislative compliance guidelines with reference to providing drinking water are met, by providing regular service and maintenance appointments. This approach provides a value added service without incurring any further cost to the customer.
The approach of a point of use water dispenser embodies additional savings for the FM too. This approach eliminates the additional cost of water bottles and their frequent delivery, a benefit too in the reduction of delivery lorries on the road. A mains fed option will provide a constant supply of fresh water at a far reduced price than that of bottled water dispensing units.
Considering new and ever-changing workplace facilities needs, the FM is driven to deliver value for money by the organisation. The very nature of a maintenance contract can provide this when compared to the alternative course of action, which, more often than not, involves the purchase of a cheaper product that does not come with such an agreement and instead relies on costly ad hoc maintenance call-outs, which can clearly add up.
This kind of planned preventative approach to drinking water procurement will deliver savings in the medium and long term, despite the appearance of cheaper face value offerings on the market.
Meanwhile, consider too the disposal of such equipment, as WEEE a drinking water dispenser needs to be disposed of in the correct way, with a duty to be paid in order to do so. This is the final element to consider and weigh up against the peace of mind that a full service and maintenance contract will be able to take care of this, and replace the unit with a new and fully functional one at the same time.
All in all the phrase, ‘you get what you pay for’ rings true. Despite the fact that drinking water may seem like just one small element of the office or commercial interior landscape, it is an area which can end up costing far more than it should. For FMs under considerable pressure in the current economic climate, it is vital that all the alternatives are assessed, from the outright purchase, and DIY approach to maintenance, with all its pitfalls and risks, to the fully integrated, risk free and financially more stable approach of a planned service and maintenance contract.
CIB Communications
