AI-Powered Facilities Management Delivers Over 5x ROI for Global Semiconductor Manufacturer

In the high-stakes world of semiconductor manufacturing, where even minor facility disruptions could halt billion-dollar production lines, outdated facilities management practices become a critical business risk.

That’s exactly what was happening at one of the world’s largest semiconductor manufacturers – With over 5 decades of innovation, this Fortune 100 company has consistently led advances in chip technology, powering everything from computers to data centers worldwide. However, their facilities management had become too dependent on "human glue" – a patchwork of manual processes, fragmented systems, and paper-based workflows creating inefficiencies across global operations. Technicians logged into multiple applications for basic tasks. In an industry where precision and reliability are paramount, this reactive approach posed significant operational and competitive risks.

JLL partnered with this semiconductor giant to develop a comprehensive Digital FM strategy built on four strategic pillars: enabling cost savings through digitised services, delivering operational excellence, using data as a competitive advantage, and developing a digital-first culture.

JLL implemented a cloud-based Digital FM platform that consolidated work order management, asset tracking, and predictive analytics into a single interface. The introduction of IoT sensors across 3,000+ asset points additionally enabled real-time monitoring

The most challenging aspect wasn’t technical. It was making 200 + technicians comfortable with new technology.

"We involved the technicians from the very beginning through lunch-and-learn sessions and comprehensive training programs spanning the 18-month implementation, ensuring their voices were heard and their feedback incorporated throughout the process." explains Wasim Yaqoob,

Global Director - Business Intelligence and Technology at JLL. "This iterative approach helped close initial resistance gaps quickly by making technicians feel part of the solution rather than subjects of change."

The JLL Digital FM platform incorporated multiple AI capabilities that fundamentally changed how facilities teams operate. AI-powered analysis of analogue gauge readings has helped transform legacy equipment into digital data sources. Predictive algorithms analyse asset performance patterns to forecast equipment failures before they occur, triggering dynamic alerts directly to technicians' mobile devices.

The AI system provides occupancy analytics, using predictive modelling to understand utilisation patterns weeks in advance and adjust resourcing accordingly. Additionally, automated fault diagnosis allows technicians to describe equipment issues and receive intelligent troubleshooting guidance, dramatically reducing resolution times – a critical advantage in facilities supporting 24/7 manufacturing operations.

Technicians now scan QR codes to access real-time asset information, capturing readings through photos or audio dictation, eliminating paper-based processes and completing tasks in seconds rather than hours. This improved response times by 75% and enhanced data accuracy - crucial factors in maintaining the precise environmental controls required for semiconductor manufacturing.

The Fortune 100 company is on target to achieve over 5x ROI of digitally-enabled cumulative net savings by end of 2025

Beyond cost savings, the transformation has delivered critical operational improvements:

• 75% reduction in response times for maintenance requests
• 90% improvement in data accuracy for asset monitoring
• 50% decrease in unplanned downtime through predictive maintenance

The transformation has generated the highest client satisfaction scores in the account's thirteen-year history.

"When you're managing facilities that support billion-dollar production lines, there's no room for guesswork," says Sean Gilsenan, Global Account Director at JLL. "This 5x ROI isn't just about cost savings; it's about giving our client the predictive insights they need to maintain their position as a global semiconductor leader."

“JLL has been instrumental in helping us enhance our technology capabilities and ensuring we hit our key milestones and outcomes. This has been an amazing start to our partnership, and we look forward to our continued success together!” says CRE of this Fortune 100 firm.

The partnership continues evolving with an ambitious roadmap extending AI capabilities across the entire facilities ecosystem. This positions the client at the forefront of Industry 4.0 smart manufacturing, where integrated IoT and AI systems will become competitive necessities rather than advantages.