Asset Life Cycle Planning with Schindler Lifts

Organisations are always looking at ways to achieve better outcomes from their assets. The key to this is developing a comprehensive understanding of the asset's ongoing operating costs, maintenance costs and life expectancy.

With Australia's ever ageing lift portfolio, Asset Life Cycle Planning (ALCP) has become more critical. All buildings from strata plans and small commercial premises to shopping centre and high-rises can benefit. ALCP is the process of determining the sum of all of the costs associated with the asset over its life. In the case of lifts and escalators, this includes the initial purchase outlay, maintenance, minor safety or aesthetic upgrades and modernisation or replacement at the end of its life.

ALCP can be used to help identify areas for improvement in line with the life of the building, thereby reducing long-term costs associated with unplanned repairs and equipment upgrades. This in turn can help manage cash flow. Schindler can conduct comprehensive condition and life cycle audits to assess the status of installed equipment and recommend a detailed strategy for managing the asset.

One client who has utilised Schindler's Condition and Life Cycle reports is AMP Capital Shopping Centre's. Theo Orfanos, National Operations Manager of AMP Capital Shopping Centre's says, "When our customers visit our shopping centre's, they need to be able to move freely throughout the centre and the escalators and lifts play a major part in their mobility. We need to consider all the safety and timing issues to make our customers' shopping experience satisfying and also meet the demands of our tenants."

"Currently Schindler maintains the lifts and escalators in a number of our sites. With the Asset Life Cycle Planning audits, they (Schindler) help us look at the current status of the equipment, identify potential risks and recommend strategies and potential costs. This means we are able to budget well in advance for repairs and upgrades that are in line with our strategy for the property. We can plan ahead to complete work with other building upgrades so that there is minimal disruption to the centre."

In smaller premises that are operating under strata plans, unexpected repairs and upgrades can have a significant impact on sinking funds. ALCP can help lower the risks and costs associated with undertaking major unplanned repairs.

"ALCP can help lower the risks and costs associated with undertaking major unplanned repairs."

Schindler National Sales Manager, Michael Humphrey says, "Today's building owners expect more and more from their lift and escalator systems and some of the equipment under our care has already been operating for longer than the initial expected design life. It is important that our customers understand where the lift or escalator is in its life cycle and that we work with them to minimise overall costs and maximise the safe operating life of the equipment."

"Asset Life Cycle Planning can also assist with accounting procedures by providing a better understanding of the depreciation schedules appropriate for that asset," says Michael.