Industry Trends
Elliott’s Industry Trends features forward-thinking ideas on where the industry is heading, including addressing best practices, design considerations, productivity enhancements, and other ideas that will shape how owners and occupiers of commercial real estate plan their best practices. These articles are intended to stimulate ‘out of the box’ thinking about how to deliver the optimum environment for each industry’s unique needs.
The Global Self-cleaning Restroom Trend: Why technology still needs human expertise
IFMA FMJ article on the practical limitations of "self-cleaning restroom" technology (and how technology could help human cleaners do their job as opposed to replacing them)
Building Services Management (August 2026 Edition)
The August 2026 edition of the Building Services Management magazine discusses the role of automatic doors for accessibility and security (P. 18-19), the role of lighting for workplace safety (P. 20-21), "engineering surfaces for cleanliness and longevity" (P. 22-23), "concrete parking structure maintenance" (P. 26-27), and "exclusion" as a "proactive control method" for pests (P. 30-31).
Good AI Comes From Good Data: Without data discipline, even the smartest AI is bound to fail
IFMA FMJ article on why "data [is] the real AI bottleneck" regarding the adoption of AI and automation "in maintenance and asset management" (and what organizations could do "before investing in AI")
Building Operating Management (July / August 2026 Edition)
The July / August 2026 edition of the Building Operating Management magazine discusses "IAQ management" (P. 4-5), security camera upgrades for the Portland Public Schools system in Oregon (P. 6-8), usage of AI for predictive maintenance (P. 10-12), "designing for accessibility" for "neurodivergent employees" (P. 14-16), and the "rent vs. buy" decision for equipment (P. 18).
Facility Cleaning Decisions (July / August 2026 Edition)
The July / August 2026 edition of the Facility Cleaning Decisions magazine discusses "inclusive hygiene" in the context of public restrooms (P. 8-10), "how floor pads and brushes enhance floor care" (P. 11-13), how the Minnesota Zoo maintains its cleaning program (P. 14-17), and "employee retention... for facility cleaning managers" (P. 18-19).
The Shift Away From PFAS: What FMs should know
IFMA FMJ article on the phaseout of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) used in facility management applications such as "cleaning products, floor care solutions, coatings, adhesives and maintenance materials"
ISSA Today (July / August 2026 Edition)
The July / August edition of the ISSA Today magazine discusses "how clean air is becoming a product" (P. 4-5), "the human side of artificial intelligence" (P. 6-7), the importance of "evidence-based inclusion" of environmental services in healthcare settings (P. 18-21), "sustainability trends" in "US foodservice operations" (P. 22-25), and "continuous improvement" through "physical AI" (P. 26-27).
Contracting Profits (July / August 2026 Edition)
The July / August 2026 edition of the Contracting Profits magazine discusses "parking lot maintenance" for "maintaining a strong first impression" of a building (P. 6-7), odor control in the context of restrooms (P. 8-10), the subtle difference "between green cleaning and sustainability" (P. 20-22), and "using the time AI gives back" (P. 24).
Cleaning Maintenance & Management (July / August 2026 Edition)
The July / August 2026 edition of the Cleaning Maintenance & Management magazine discusses "redefining the restroom experience through functional modernization" (P. 10-12), why "employee retention goes beyond financial compensation" for building service contractors (P. 20-23), "protecting long-term care residents" through the cleaning and disinfection process (P. 24-28), "how to create a restrooms older adults want to revisit" (P. 30-31), and "bridging the generational gap in facility management" (P. 32-34).
Facility Maintenance Decisions (July 2026 Edition)
The July 2026 edition of the Facility Maintenance Decisions magazine discusses "how AI and data are redefining maintenance" (P. 4-5), outsourcing of facility management tasks such as "janitorial operations... and building systems maintenance" (P. 6-8), "smart technology in plumbing and restrooms" (P. 10-12), and "emergency preparedness" in facility management (P. 14-16).
Building Operating Management (July 2026 Interactive Edition)
The July 2026 interactive edition of the Building Operating Management magazine discusses how the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee "operates with a lean facilities staff" (P. 8-11), "sustainable initiatives" by the Menasha Joint School District in Wisconsin (P. 12-16), the importance of access control systems (P. 18), and "tapping into building automation for energy efficiency" (P. 20-23).
Facility Executive (June 2026 Edition)
The June 2026 edition of the Facility Executive magazine discusses "managing safety and mitigating risk in cleaning robotics" (P. 12-14), "leveraging operational intelligence" related to smart building systems (P. 25-26), why AI integration is important in facility management (P. 27-29), "vapor intrusion" as an "emerging threat to indoor air quality" (P. 30-31), and "when restroom wear signals bigger facility problems" (P. 38-39).