Now FMA, a wholly owned subsidiary of RMB Properties, could achieve similar results for Microsoft. FMA has secured a contract to provide a full facilities management service to Microsoft, at its 5 000sq-m head office in Sunninghill, in Johannesburg.

The contract, said Goldsworthy, includes the management of all technical and soft services for Microsoft, incorporating everything from air conditioning, fire detection, waste management and security, to pest control, catering, carpeting and landscaping. "We have also been contracted to establish a helpdesk and toll-free line that is linked to a computerised facilities management system that is web-enabled and fully networked," said Goldsworthy.

The managing of utility accounts will involve conducting full analyses of tariffs, time of usage, unit rates and maximum demand charges relating to electricity and water. A full-time FMA manager and handyman have been employed on site, at Microsoft's head office, to manage all services and maintenance relating to the building.