Paul Schmitter

Dr. Paul Schmitter serves as a Lecturer and Researcher at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) within the School of Life Sciences and Facility Management. His work bridges academic research and practical implementation in healthcare facility management, with active involvement in the ZHAW Digital Health Lab and International Facility Management Association. Current projects include Food Waste Measure in Airline Catering (as Project Leader) and Smart Building Information Service (as Team Member).

His research focuses on digital transformation in healthcare facility management, specializing in digital maturity assessments, Ambient Assisted Living systems, and AI's strategic impact. Key interests include developing frameworks for digital transformation strategies, evaluating smart building technologies in healthcare settings, and addressing implementation challenges in facility management digitization. His work emphasizes practical applications through projects like DC4HC (Digital Competence for Healthcare) and SmartCareNet.

Schmitter's publications demonstrate consistent contributions to digital transformation in facility management, with recent work emphasizing AI integration, maturity modeling, and healthcare-specific applications. His 2024 doctoral dissertation established critical success factors for hospital facility management digitalization, while ongoing research explores generative AI applications in facility management education and smart building risk assessment.

• City & Country Clubs Council Scholarship Award (IFMA Foundation, October 2020)
• Francis J. Kuhn Fellow Scholarship Award (IFMA Foundation, October 2019)
• Best Master Thesis (IFMA Switzerland, March 2018)
• Best Master's Degree (ALUMNI ZHAW, March 2018)

As project leader for Food Waste Measure in Airline Catering and SmartCareNet, Schmitter directs research initiatives focusing on operational efficiency and digital transformation. His work with the ZHAW Digital Health Lab facilitates cross-disciplinary collaboration on healthcare technology implementation, while his role in the International Facility Management Association connects academic research with industry practice. Current grant-funded projects address digital competence development and smart infrastructure integration in healthcare facilities.

Schmitter actively contributes to the ZHAW Digital Health Lab, where he collaborates on projects like AALBridge and ActiveAdvice that develop Ambient Assisted Living solutions. His work with the International Facility Management Association connects academic research with global industry practices, while ongoing projects like FM 4.0 explore next-generation facility management technologies through multi-stakeholder partnerships.