--- title: What is CAFM? All About Computer-Aided Facility Management --- # What is CAFM? All About Computer-Aided Facility Management Last Reviewed: March 16, 2026 8 min read [4 comments](https://www.selecthub.com/facility-management/computer-aided-facilities-management/?noamp=mobile#comments) [ ![Kriti Agarwal](https://www.selecthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Kriti-Headshot-96x96.jpg) ](https://www.selecthub.com/author/kriti-agarwal/) [Written by Kriti Agarwal](https://www.selecthub.com/author/kriti-agarwal/) Technical Content Writer [ ![Ryan McElroy](https://www.selecthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Ryan-McElroy-Headshot-96x96.jpg) ](https://www.selecthub.com/author/ryan-mcelroy/) [Edited by Ryan McElroy](https://www.selecthub.com/author/ryan-mcelroy/) Content Editor Table of Contents * [What is Computer Aided Facility Management (CAFM)?](#What%5Fis%5FComputer%5FAided%5FFacility%5FManagement%5FCAFM "What is Computer Aided Facility Management (CAFM)?") * [Key Features of CAFM](#Key%5FFeatures%5Fof%5FCAFM "Key Features of CAFM") * [Information Technology](#Information%5FTechnology "Information Technology") * [Maintenance Management](#Maintenance%5FManagement "Maintenance Management") * [Physical Building Administration](#Physical%5FBuilding%5FAdministration "Physical Building Administration") * [Leasing and Real Estate Management](#Leasing%5Fand%5FReal%5FEstate%5FManagement "Leasing and Real Estate Management") * [Administrative Support](#Administrative%5FSupport "Administrative Support") * [Life Cycle Management](#Life%5FCycle%5FManagement "Life Cycle Management") * [Asset Tracking](#Asset%5FTracking "Asset Tracking") * [Deployment Options](#Deployment%5FOptions "Deployment Options") * [CAFM vs. CMMS vs. EAM](#CAFM%5Fvs%5FCMMS%5Fvs%5FEAM "CAFM vs. CMMS vs. EAM") * [Next Steps](#Next%5FSteps "Next Steps") Have you ever wondered how organizations manage their physical spaces and assets efficiently? One answer to this is through using computer-aided facilities management (CAFM) software. A part of [facilities management software](https://www.selecthub.com/c/facility-management-software/), CAFM systems have become increasingly popular in recent years. [Compare Top CAFM Software Leaders](https://pmo.selecthub.com/top-facility-management-software-site-vers/) ![CAFM Guide]() ## What is Computer Aided Facility Management (CAFM)? Computer-aided facilities management software is a solution designed to help plan everything for a building or facility, including almost every aspect of day-to-day operations. The International Facility Management Association (IFMA) defines it as the practice of coordinating physical workplace and facilities with the people and the operations of that organization. It’s also sometimes used interchangeably with [computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS)](https://www.selecthub.com/c/cmms-software/) , integrated workplace management systems (IWMS) and [enterprise asset management software (EAM) software](https://www.selecthub.com/c/eam-software/). While it does have some functions in common with these other types of software, CAFM software has come to be its own niche of specialization and will offer slightly different features from CMMS, EAM or [IWMS](https://planonsoftware.com/us/glossary/iwms/). Computer-aided facility management systems offer the next-generation technological answer to an issue that’s as ancient as the idea of an office building, from daily administration of desk space and conference rooms to big-picture analysis, of whether current office space is meeting an organization’s business needs. [Compare Top CAFM Software Leaders](https://pmo.selecthub.com/top-facility-management-software-site-vers/) ## Key Features of CAFM CAFM software is a mix of CMMS, EAM and facility management software. While many functions and features overlap, here is a list of typical features that most CAFM solutions have. ![CAFM Features]() ### Information Technology Information is the core of CAFM. The main function that separates it from earlier versions of facilities management is that it utilizes [CAD (computer-aided design)](https://www.ptc.com/en/technologies/cad) elements and visuals in combination with alphanumeric data processing. As in many other branches of software, [business intelligence tools](https://www.selecthub.com/c/business-intelligence-tools/) and features that use data collection and analysis are becoming very popular in CAFM. This data-centric approach to business assists managers with data-driven decision-making to improve every element of your business. CAFM uses CAD technology for a variety of capabilities. For example, interactive floor plans for real estate organizations allow potential buyers to walk through homes that aren’t even built yet. ### Maintenance Management Similar to CMMS, CAFM offers maintenance management abilities. Routine repairs keep assets operating at peak efficiency, and performing preventive maintenance keeps costs much lower than emergency repairs or even replacements. In addition to maintenance scheduling and support, CAFM systems provide asset monitoring modules to help users keep a close eye on asset conditions. Your CAFM functions as an organizational database to store information on your facilities. This information includes everything from energy consumption, construction data, a list of floorplans, pertinent contact details, equipment located within a specific facility, fire and safety information, and more. Instead of relying on paper files or Excel spreadsheets, you can store and organize this information neatly within the CAFM where you can use it later. Other specific segments of CAFM tools use real-time data to aid in various types of maintenance. It can promote preventive maintenance, work orders and routine operational maintenance goals to optimize asset management. This is where computer-aided facilities management gets used in conjunction with CMMS, as CMMS systems are generally built for evaluating various maintenance needs. ### Physical Building Administration One of the most popular and impressive core features of a computer-aided facility management system is its resource for handling the actual infrastructure inside the facility. For example, you can link many CAFM systems to [HVAC equipment](https://generalac.com/what-are-the-different-types-of-hvac-units/), lights and other infrastructure within the building. Some of these features allow for remote management, where facility managers can set thermostats or turn window and door locks on and off remotely. Others offer automated meter reading and energy monitoring, so you know right away if something in your resource usage changes. This improves safety, saves money and helps the environment by reducing unnecessary energy usage. [Compare Top CAFM Software Leaders](https://pmo.selecthub.com/top-facility-management-software-site-vers/) ### Leasing and Real Estate Management Computer-aided facility management tools look at property management, including leasing, to optimize the business use of commercial real estate. From daily activities like room scheduling or conference booking to long-term lease management, the right CAFM software can offer industry-specific [property management functionalities](https://www.selecthub.com/property-management/property-management-software-features/). ### Administrative Support CAFM isn’t entirely focused on the down-and-dirty physical facilities and assets either. Facilities management software offers a range of administrative support capabilities that can help streamline office tasks as well. You and your employees can use package and material tracking features to keep a close eye on anything going in or out of your facility. Whether that means purchasing and [procurement](https://www.selecthub.com/category/eprocurement/), audit trails, hazardous materials transport, or shipments and deliveries, computer-aided facility management can help you manage it safely and seamlessly. You can even use CAFM to manage your human resources as well. Many CAFM systems offer a traffic tracking feature to log visitors and create form templates for contractors to ensure everyone who’s inside your facility is supposed to be there! This has the added bonus of increasing security for your organization without additional cost. ### Life Cycle Management A major goal of CAFM is to help managers ensure that they’re fully utilizing their organization’s assets in the most cost-effective way throughout the asset life cycle. Some features of CAFM systems help decision-makers consider long-term needs — for example, planning for capital improvements. The idea is that since the CAFM platform covers not only the building but everything in it, administrators can use it as a roadmap for all kinds of [asset management](https://www.selecthub.com/category/cmms/eam/) and predictive planning. This can help save money, making facility operations happen more efficiently. ### Asset Tracking A wide range of industries use computer-aided facility management software for many different purposes. Some of the specific tools and functionality depend on the client’s industry and what kinds of assets are working in the facility. CAFM tools contain asset tracking features to locate assets in transit or to know the accurate location of assets within the facility. [Asset tracking](https://www.selecthub.com/cmms/eam/asset-tracking/) in different fields can help you effectively control the overall use of a business facility and improve asset management. Although most CAFM systems will offer the popular features mentioned above, many descriptions by the vendors themselves don’t specifically point out how these types of functionality can help a company. Too often, they hide these essential features in jargon like “property management services and energy consumption features.” Simply put, CAFM solutions? help with day-to-day planning in real and practical ways. When customers figure out that CAFM systems can come with these types of functionality, they’re often adopted with enthusiasm for their labor-saving and time-saving potential. To get an in-depth comparison of each feature, check out our [facility management comparison report](https://pmo.selecthub.com/top-facility-management-software-site-vers/) to break them down. [Compare Top CAFM Software Leaders](https://pmo.selecthub.com/top-facility-management-software-site-vers/) ## Deployment Options There are some other important elements of CAFM you need to understand before you begin the shortlisting process. How a software is deployed has a significant impact on the organization implementing it, if not necessarily on the eventual end user. Software can be deployed in three ways: on-premise, via the web or cloud, or as a hybrid of these. With on-premise software, you host it on hardware on your premises. This hardware usually requires an extensive IT team to maintain and troubleshoot, as well as the physical space to store it. On-premise software vendors typically charge a one-time fee per user license, which can be steep — but once it’s paid, you’re good to go and can switch out users if you so desire. On-premise also offers more options for customization, as you have almost complete control over the program. This almost complete control means your data isn’t traveling back and forth to an off-site server, where it’s vulnerable to hacking — but it also means you’ll be responsible for your own cybersecurity. Cloud-based deployment is typically cheaper than on-premise — at least in the short-term — as it charges a per user, per month fee, but costs can stack up quickly. Customization of a web-based system can become costly. But web-based is agile and accessible from any user portal with an internet connection, making it a lightweight and practical solution for many companies. Since the onus of data security falls on the vendor for this deployment method, most offer some of the most comprehensive security options on the market for their customers’ data. Hybrid is, as the name suggests, a combination of the two formats. This can take many different forms and is unique to different industries. It usually includes the ability to switch from on-premise to cloud-based as the users’ needs change — for instance, an on-premise network supplemented by mobile apps for mobile technicians. ## CAFM vs. CMMS vs. EAM CMMS, EAM and CAFM are all software solutions that are used to manage assets and maintenance operations within organizations. However, there are some important differences between these systems. A CMMS ‌primarily focuses on maintenance operations, including work orders, [preventive maintenance](https://www.selecthub.com/cmms/preventive-maintenance/) and [inventory management](https://www.selecthub.com/category/inventory-management/). Maintenance teams typically use CMMS software to track and manage maintenance activities, schedule repairs, and optimize asset uptime. An EAM system, on the other hand, is a more comprehensive solution that covers [asset life cycle management](https://www.selecthub.com/cmms/eam/asset-lifecycle-management/), including acquisition, maintenance and disposal. Organizations that manage many assets, such as utilities companies, manufacturing plants and transportation companies, typically use EAM software. Finally, a CAFM system is a software solution that helps organizations manage their physical spaces and assets. You can use CAFM software to track space usage, manage building systems and automate [facility management](https://www.selecthub.com/category/cmms/facility-management-cmms/) processes. Facility managers typically use CAFM systems to improve efficiency and reduce costs. Basically, CAFM technology combines business administration, behavioral science, architecture and engineering concepts to optimize the functioning of your organization. It’s a comprehensive commercial facility or building maintenance tool with many different facets and functions. [Compare Top CAFM Software Leaders](https://pmo.selecthub.com/top-facility-management-software-site-vers/) ## Next Steps Computer-aided facilities management offers all kinds of benefits for the forward-thinking organizations using them. Hopefully, now you’ve got a more comprehensive understanding of the benefits and features of CAFM software. If you want to compare some vendors, don’t forget to check out our [comparison report](https://pmo.selecthub.com/top-facility-management-software-site-vers/) to get started on the right track. What features would you look for in CAFM software? 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Contributions from Kriti Agarwal, and Ryan McElroy. ## About the Contributors The following team members helped research, create, and review this content. [ ](https://www.selecthub.com/author/kriti-agarwal/) Written by [Kriti Agarwal](https://www.selecthub.com/author/kriti-agarwal/) Technical Content Writer Kriti is a Technical Content Writer at SelectHub, covering CMMS, EAM and facility management. She is an avid reader, daydreamer and animal lover, especially dogs. A perfect Saturday evening for her is a cup of coffee with a classic book. She is talkative, cheerful, and outgoing. For an ideal vacation, she would prefer mountains over beaches. [See Full Bio](https://www.selecthub.com/author/kriti-agarwal/) [ ](https://www.selecthub.com/author/ryan-mcelroy/) Edited by [Ryan McElroy](https://www.selecthub.com/author/ryan-mcelroy/) Content Editor Ryan McElroy is a Content Editor and Senior Market Analyst at SelectHub who writes and edits content on various software types, along with their broader concepts and the industries they serve, including medical, construction, CMMS, supply chain management and legal. He studied at the University of Missouri (Mizzou) and earned his BA in Journalism in 2016\. During his free time, you’ll find Ryan playing video/card/board games, sipping coffee and reading speculative fiction, or listening to music his loved ones often describe as “headache-inducing.” [See Full Bio](https://www.selecthub.com/author/ryan-mcelroy/) Riya JambleThe 5 Best Building Maintenance Software in 2026 * ‹ * › ### Conversation (4) ![Avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/281d3616cf761f3582c0d76c23517846?s=32&d=mm&r=g) Write a response [Cancel reply](https://www.selecthub.com/facility-management/computer-aided-facilities-management/#respond) Your message Your name \* Your email \* Website Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ * ![Avatar photo](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/6e342f894233d4862a491819503963ac03a89a6badd5f3f70767e24af92323e0?s=96&d=mm&r=g) #### **Tijen** \- November 7, 2024 Thank you. This is a detailed but succinct description of CAFM and the differences between similar solutions – very easy to undertsand for new-bees 🙂 **[Reply](#comment-195005)** * ![Avatar photo](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/ef716a1b54a1ba4643d77009266cecaeaafe44bc5337e390b3c7f8b4c9cd8f69?s=96&d=mm&r=g) #### **sajid farooqi** \- September 5, 2021 A concise elaboration of CNFM **[Reply](#comment-88062)** * ![Avatar photo](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/76eb3e2ec7a4909c95aa32030f21c1bd1db5676beae330f21df0e650ed2b9200?s=96&d=mm&r=g) #### **Ram** \- May 5, 2021 thanks for putting the information together. So crisp and precise. **[Reply](#comment-70194)** * ![Avatar photo](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fb8ac3067f4778271c1137a9c75c29d3a2d4833905ce2d3ed8a35dabc88b11e2?s=96&d=mm&r=g) #### **Shayur Maharaj** \- March 8, 2021 Great piece that shows the benefits of CAFM in facility management and maintenance. **[Reply](#comment-64003)** [ Go to mobile version ](https://www.selecthub.com/facility-management/computer-aided-facilities-management/?amp=1) **Tier 1:** Fully/moderately supported out-of-the-box allowing for quick and easy deployment. Fully or moderately supported out-of-the-box with industry-leading capabilities and is immediately available after installation without needing any add-ons, integrations, or custom development. **Tier 2:** Supported with workarounds or add-ons that may require additional costs. Not directly available in the software, but can be accomplished using other built-in features, workarounds, or add-ons/products from the vendor with or without any additional cost. **Tier 3:** Requires partner integrations or custom development that is often at an additional cost. Requires additional integrations, plugins, marketplace applications from a third-party vendor, or custom development using the APIs, libraries, extensions, and development framework supported by the software, with or without any additional cost. [Close](#) ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https://www.selecthub.com/facility-management/computer-aided-facilities-management/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https://www.selecthub.com/facility-management/computer-aided-facilities-management/"},"author":{"name":"Kriti Agarwal","@id":"https://www.selecthub.com/#/schema/person/38367aef1e555ffdacdf8c3dd1851ee4"},"headline":"What is CAFM? 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