TECHNOLOGY


Cleaning’s digital revolution Mitie explains how to connect tech with people for a cleaner future.


In an age where technology plays such a prominent role in our everyday lives, it’s no surprise that the cleaning sector is also undergoing its own digital transformation.


The cleaning industry, historically reliant on labour- intensive cleaning methods, is adapting to embrace modern methods. A significant technological shift is in full swing, reshaping how we clean and maintain spaces; combining the expertise of people with technology to deliver more efficient, sustainable and effective services for our customers.


The power of information


Leading this revolution are cleaning management tools, like Mitie’s new Merlin Connect. The system harnesses real-time information from cleaning technicians on the ground, enabling teams to digitally log completed activities, raise issues and rank the level of cleanliness of different areas. With a digital dashboard on a mobile app, colleagues can monitor the status of each area they’re working in in real-time.


Merlin Connect also tracks occupancy data, identifying priority areas to be cleaned based on how frequently they have been used that day. When integrated with Mitie’s sensor technology, this data equips our cleaning colleagues with clarity and transparency over their workload, creating more fulfilling jobs – after all, no one wants to clean areas that don’t need it, just for the sake of it.


The system also invites wider building users to join the cleaning revolution. By scanning an area’s unique QR code, requests can be sent directly to cleaning technicians. For example, a request could be sent to have a room cleaned, or to notify cleaning technicians that resources such as paper towels are running low.


By identifying long-term trends in cleaning processes, the data and insights generated by cleaning management systems unlock opportunities for more efficient processes. This ensures a consistently high standard of hygiene that can adapt and evolve alongside the changing demands of cleaning teams and the areas they work in.


The rise of robotics Alongside data-informed cleaning, the rise of robotics is also


16 | TOMOROMORROW'S C S CLEANIING RE NG I IRELAND


a critical component leading the industry’s advancement. For example, ultraviolet (UV) robotic solutions are being introduced across the cleaning landscape. We’re using this technology in hospitals for the rapid cleaning of surfaces, with our fleet of specialist UV robots able to disinfect entire rooms within minutes – ideal for the quick turnaround of an operating theatre.


Not only can robots improve hygiene levels, they have sustainability benefits too. The use of automated vacuums, which have smaller, more efficient motors with stronger suction power compared to traditional machines, means areas can be cleaned less frequently. Through our trials of this technology, we reduced energy usage by 62.5% a year, saving 203.5kg of CO2


. As well as energy savings, lots of our


robotic cleaners also conserve water by using only the required amount, contributing to an eco-friendlier cleaning solution.


Robotic cleaners can cover large areas quickly and effectively, empowering cleaning colleagues to focus on more complex and nuanced tasks that require a human touch.


Nurturing a human and technology


collaboration While the benefits of embracing cleaning technology are clear, it's crucial to recognise that none of this would be feasible without the expertise of our people. Our approach is centred around using technology to support and empower our cleaning colleagues, allowing them to focus on more specialist tasks and eliminating manual or administrative processes to provide a best-in-class service for our customers. By equipping our people with technology, we can ensure that cleaning remains both efficient and personal.


A sparkling future for cleaning


The constant development of technology in the cleaning sector is propelling the industry forward, offering more efficient and sustainable solutions, and ensuring safer, more hygienic spaces. It’s safe to say that the cleaning sector’s technological revolution is here to stay, and we’re excited to be at the forefront of this journey, pioneering the next evolution of cleaning.


www.mitie.ie twitter.com/TomoCleaning


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