Where healthcare environments are increasingly complex and diverse, operational effectiveness is not just a goal; it is a necessity. From acute primary care to major trauma services, the daily functioning of thousands of clinical and microbiological assets underpins patient care and safety. Yet, a challenge remains: performance data for these critical assets is often fragmented, creating a siloed, incomplete view of performance and reliability.
As healthcare systems need to be increasingly efficient and sustainable, gaining a comprehensive, integrated and clear picture of asset performance has become essential.
This challenge reflects a broader issue across large healthcare facilities. Assets ranging from air handling units to energy-intensive equipment in clinical labs need to work in harmony. However, without a unified view, managing these systems holistically can be an uphill battle.
Sodexo, in collaboration with its client Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), identified the need to improve the visibility and reliability of critical assets, to ensure they are fit for purpose in supporting clinical operations, are cost-efficient and also address both Sodexo’s and MFT’s sustainability goals.
Embracing a holistic view of asset performance
Due to the complexity of the asset management within MFT, Sodexo knew a solution needed to be both robust and adaptable. Drawing from its experience across various global sectors, multiple market solutions were assessed, each offering potential benefits, with Xempla being selected as its partner.
Xempla is a decision automation system which specialises in asset performance management. Xempla’s software provides Sodexo with a comprehensive suite of tools designed to enhance decision-making for Operations & Maintenance (O&M) teams.
Xempla stands out for its advanced capabilities, including functional design data, anomaly detection, energy optimisation, predictive analytics, and maintenance optimisation. The technology’s ability to integrate seamlessly with mechanical assets that emit performance data enables Sodexo teams to monitor asset health in real-time and to act proactively.
The system has been integrated into MFT’s ecosystem with a clear goal to streamline operations, anticipate potential failures, and optimise energy usage through real-time insights. Since its deployment Xempla has enabled a smarter, more responsive approach to managing critical infrastructure at MFT, bolstering clinical reliability and one that aligns with the Trust’s sustainability goals.
Real-time insights for proactive management
Sodexo’s partnership with Xempla went live in 2022 with a pilot phase that sought to bring real-time data analysis into MFT’s asset management process. Starting with essential air handling units, Xempla has since expanded to over 2,000 assets and 12,000 data points, each streaming data every 15 minutes. From the outset, Xempla’s real-time monitoring provides early insights into asset deviations, which is helping engineers investigate and correct minor issues before they escalate into critical failures.
Integration with IBM Maximo used by Sodexo has further enhanced the system, allowing technicians to receive work orders directly to their tablets. Each order comes with specific recommendations based on real-time data from Xempla, enabling immediate corrective actions without delay. This efficiency in communication has transformed maintenance from a reactive to a proactive approach, as technicians are empowered to address issues before they impact clinical operations.
Building confidence and supporting sustainable goals
With the implementation of Xempla’s decision automation system, MFT has achieved more than just operational efficiency; it has instilled a new level of confidence in asset reliability. Facility managers have greater assurance that essential equipment will perform consistently without disrupting clinical processes. The performance measurements from these critical assets have significantly contributed to the MFT’s Green Plan and net zero targets.
In just nine months, the MFT site team had fully operationalised a data-led O&M approach, allowing them to leverage actionable insights from Xempla and amplify the impact of each proactive maintenance measure.
Xempla’s framework, known as the DIIV Framework (Discover, Investigate, Implement, and Verify), facilitates an intuitive human-technology collaboration model. Engineers and technicians can quickly identify issues, investigate causes, implement solutions, and verify outcomes—all within a streamlined digital workspace.
The tool’s core modules include ‘no-code fault detection and diagnostics’, ‘a workflow module’, and a ‘workbench’ for engineers to pinpoint key opportunities. Additional modules such as energy monitoring, maintenance optimisation, and an asset health index offer even deeper insights.
Together, these features deliver a holistic approach to asset management, allowing MFT not only to improve operational resilience but also to make meaningful strides toward environmental sustainability.
Tangible results: Efficiency, cost savings, and environmental impact
While technological improvements often require substantial investment, the return on investment for MFT has been remarkable. Within the first nine months of utilising Xempla’s system, MFT has observed substantial benefits:
• Avoided 102 early asset lifecycle events: Proactive maintenance and real-time monitoring prevented issues that would have required costly repairs or replacements, extending the lifespan of critical assets.
• Prevented 83 critical asset outages: This reduction in downtime translates to uninterrupted service delivery, a crucial factor in a major trauma and acute care hospital.
• £349,000 reduction in energy costs: Improved energy monitoring and optimisation through Xempla enabled MFT to decrease energy use, leading to significant financial savings.
• 1.2 million kWh reduction in electricity consumption: By optimising energy consumption, MFT has reduced its environmental impact substantially.
• Over 2,500 tonnes less carbon emitted into the atmosphere: As MFT works toward its net zero goals, the reduction in carbon emissions represents a crucial step in aligning healthcare with environmental responsibility. This also contributes to a reduction in Sodexo’s Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions – those which sit outside of the organisation’s direct control, delivering progress towards Sodexo’s target to achieve net zero 2040.
• ROI of £2.25 million over 10 years: The financial benefits of Xempla’s system are clear, with long-term savings that far exceed the initial investment.
Redefining asset management in healthcare
The integration of Xempla at MFT is a testament to the transformative power of advanced asset management in healthcare.
This partnership between Sodexo and MFT has not only improved the reliability and efficiency of essential hospital assets but has also shown how strategic technological investments can lead to substantial environmental and financial gains. In a sector where every decision impacts patient care and safety, having a unified, data-driven view of asset performance is invaluable.
This highlights a shift in asset management, moving from fragmented oversight to a connected, proactive model.
Through partnerships like this, hospitals can achieve greater resilience, optimise costs, and contribute positively to environmental goals, setting a new benchmark for what healthcare facilities can accomplish in the digital age.
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