CLEANING


sustainability improvements and generally make working life more interesting.


Hotbed of innovation Cleaning is an often overlooked, and sometimes maligned sector, and the industry is rarely seen as a ‘hotbed’ of innovation. However, the increased use of robotics and the Internet of Things (IoT) shows it is not as backward as some may think.


Robotic floor sweepers are becoming more and more sophisticated, allowing them to clean wider areas more efficiently. Some can now produce reports on their progress too – helpful for the FM manager who can judge


Don’t be afraid to challenge your cleaning supplier on how it innovates.


effectiveness and combine these with other management information reports. Other innovations include cordless or backpack style vacuums which make life easier for cleaning operatives. New lightweight pole systems for cleaning at height also offer efficiency and health and safety benefits. It’s rare to see someone up a ladder cleaning a window these days.


Data collected by room sensors can be used to ensure cleaning operatives maximise their time by prioritising areas with heavy traffic and not cleaning unused meeting rooms for the sake of it. The Internet of Things also means cleaning supplies can be ordered automatically when they are running low, meaning space is used effectively and time efficiently.


In fact, when you start to think about it, there are untold technological innovations in place in, or making their way into, the cleaning sector from touchless soap dispensers to the use of personal data assistants (PDAs) to monitor cleaning schedules; the list just goes on and on.


People and progress Cleaning is essentially a people business and these technologies and innovations aren’t going to replace cleaning operatives. Instead they will allow them to concentrate on the more unusual and challenging tasks. This makes the job more interesting and ensures facilities are cleaned to the highest standards.


It also means cleaning operatives have more opportunity to interact with other people – especially if they have been trained in communications skills as our cleaning colleagues are through our Hostmanship scheme; another innovation in itself.


Small but significant All too often innovation is thought of as a big ‘earth shattering’ development or a new technology. While these are important, sometimes it is better to do what you already do, in a better way. A change in behaviour or


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process can be just as innovative. This might, for example, mean choosing one cleaning method throughout an entire business. This brings multiple benefits, such as a consistency of standards and training methods, reductions in costs through bulk buying and a clarity of message for the sales team.


We have recently introduced the ‘sidewinder’ for vacuums. The thin head on this attachment allows a side-to-side movement which means operatives stay upright and are less likely to suffer back problems. It is also flexible and able to reach into tight spots without moving furniture or the need for the operative to be a contortionist. Innovations like this which help improve our operatives’ wellbeing are particularly important to us.


In addition, we ensure we make the best use of existing cleaning products. For example, our operatives are trained to fold and refold microfibre cleaning cloths in specific ways during use. This helps maximise efficiencies and increase sustainability, through reduced water and chemical use. Another simple, yet effective, innovation.


Never bored of innovation The Facilicom Group (including our sister companies in The Netherlands and Belgium) has an Innovation Board to create a structure for improvement and to allow ideas to be quickly put into practice and brought to market.


The Board’s primary objective is to create a cultural organisational environment in which creativity can flourish, rather than looking to develop wildly creative ideas. It gives us a ‘system’ of development, and allows for the creation of the right conditions to incorporate innovation in the organisation.


Innovation can set you apart


from your competitors helping you attract and retain customers.


This means change and improvements become the norm, rather than an exception. As a business, we regularly trial and implement a range of new products, we’ve even had toilet paper made from bamboo. We also have a service agreement with one of our clients to introduce a new innovation each month. Once again this won’t always be a new technology, it could be a new way of distributing workloads, or how we report on our service.


Don’t settle If you are an FM or building services manager, don’t be afraid to challenge your cleaning supplier on how it innovates. They don’t have to be big budget and, in fact, can often lead to cost reductions and other efficiencies.


Quality suppliers will be happy to regularly reassess their working practices and the products they use to ensure they are providing the best service they can.


www.facilicom.co.uk TOMORROW’S FM | 21


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