The original author, Michael Bell, first described IWMS software as "integrated enterprise solutions that span the life cycle of facilities asset management, from acquisition and operations to disposition.
"[7] In this first market definition, Gartner identified critical requirements of an IWMS, including a common database, advanced web services technologies and a system architecture that enabled user-defined workflow processes and customized portal interfaces.
The research firm's proprietary Green Quadrant methodology uses weighted criteria for vendor evaluation, grouped under 2 categories: Capabilities (breadth and depth of software functionality) and Momentum (strategic success factors).
Modern IWMS, providing an interactive user interface across multiple devices, enables employees to access a variety of workplace services from a mobile app, kiosk, or desktop.
According to the latest Verdantix research, 80% of executives who consider IWMS software identified the quality of the user interface as the most important factor influencing their decision.
[14] With the growth of the Internet of Things, a trend that is gaining ground is the integration of IWMS software and Smart Building solutions on a single platform, also termed IWMS+.
[15] In 2022, Verdantix[16] introduced the term "connected portfolio intelligence platforms" (CPIP), describing the next evolution of IWMS with a more open architecture and enhanced interconnectivity with smart buildings and their ecosystems.