How Smart Technology Is Driving Washroom Management

 

Sensor-driven 3D IoT smart washroom and smart water management solutions have seen a rise in popularity across the Middle East and the rest of the world.

 

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Technology
 
February 3, 2022
 
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How Smart Technology Is Driving Washroom Management
 

Due to the pandemic, the pressure on facility and hygiene service providers to deliver clean and safe washrooms in public buildings has never been greater.

The term corporate social responsibility used to be tied loosely to charitable efforts, community initiatives, or one-off sustainability showcase projects.  The result of which saw the rise in terms such as ‘social signalling’, and ‘greenwashing’.

Information is more accessible than ever, and the radical transparency it has created has empowered customers, both in the B2B and B2C world.  Consumers in 2022 expect more.

Whether it’s being able to access information on how ethical and sustainable a business supply chain maybe, down to how seriously a business takes its user data safety.

Information is key, for both sides of the deal.

Customers want to know they are in safe hands.  And businesses want to optimise their operations, save money, and look after their customers.

Tracking data to improve the way we work has become part of everything we do.  From our online interactions to video doorbells, and smartwatches.  We all appreciate the efficiencies, comfort and security these small devices afford us.

Smart buildings and even smart cities are on the rise and are clearly the future of how we as humans can live together in a way that’s more sustainable.

Building management systems (BMS) have focussed on lighting, ventilation, fire and security systems and temperature monitoring.

However, increasing demand to effectively manage a soft services workforce as well as maintain immaculate hygiene has highlighted a gap in the traditional BMS for washroom management.

As a result, sensor-driven 3D IoT smart washroom and smart water management solutions have seen a rise in popularity across the Middle East and the rest of the world.

With more than 10 years of serving the region with commercial and environmental solutions, VERTECO is proud to support businesses with its range of smart washroom technologies.

How do smart washroom technologies work?

Smart washroom technology is an Artificial Intelligence (AI) based Internet of Things (IoT) solution that uses smart sensors to gather data allowing facility and operations managers to make better decisions. 

Our IoT measure, monitor and manage washroom facilities in real-time.  

Algorithms are constantly working in synchronicity to detect patterns.  When an anomaly is detected, cleaning staff are notified in real-time, rather than stumbling in on a bigger problem when their hourly check is due.  This means that washrooms are always a pleasant and hygienic environment, no matter what time of day your user visits.

Sensors can monitor footfall and usage, cubicle occupancy, tissue and waste bin levels, water consumption and even leakages, as they happen.  Alert levels are set for each sensor and when thresholds are crossed an alert is sent to a cleaner through our app or via SMS.

In addition to real-time sensor data, the solution includes a customer experience panel whereby users of the washroom can give their feedback.  The panel also acts as a task logger for staff who can create a touchless tap in and out when they attend to an alert, or when they are conducting planned routine cleaning.

The data from the sensors and customer feedback interactions is collected and displayed in a visually rich, user-friendly dashboard with ready to use insights.  This includes the opportunity to integrate workforce management modules in one place.  The back-end dashboards are customizable to any specific client service level agreement and can even be tailored to include 3D mapping of the facility.

Our insights help managers revolutionise the way they manage washrooms.

What are the benefits?

Monitoring usage levels of washrooms through real-time data can be extremely valuable when it comes to understanding long-term usage patterns and predicting when they need to be cleaned.

By scheduling cleaning shifts more efficiently, businesses will be able to save money on staffing and provide a cleaner and more pleasant environment for customers.  For instance, the system can be programmed to alert cleaning staff after a certain number of customers have visited the washroom, and the area is likely to need cleaning.

Washrooms quickly become worrisome environments if not managed properly.  Most businesses clean them every hour, but this may not be enough at certain times.  At other times it might be unnecessarily frequent. Using smart washroom technology, we ensure that staff and resources are allocated efficiently and that businesses can deal with any hygiene issue before they become a problem.

And finally, we all know how unpleasant it is to have an unclean washroom.  It can taint an otherwise pleasant visitor experience of business interaction.  Clean and comfortable washrooms are key for maintaining repeat custom, positive sentiment, and brand reputation.

What else is new in the world of smart washrooms?

The latest innovative product to be added to the VERTECO solution is the LooLightTM, a smart toilet cubicle occupancy system.

The LooLightTM is a simple way to determine cubicle occupancy, particularly in high footfall washrooms such as airports, stadiums, and shopping malls.

The system is very similar to the way a car park shows users the availability of parking spaces.  Fitted above each washroom cubicle door, the LooLightTM helps manage people flow by showing green for vacant, red for engaged, and blue for People of Determination.

The data can also be displayed on a screen outside the washroom showing users if there is any availability.  The system is connected to all washrooms in the building, so if all cubicles are occupied in one washroom, the screen can direct the user to the nearest alternative washroom.  

What’s next?

2022 will see VERTECO continuing to develop its smart washroom solutions through research, development, and investment in the latest technologies.  The need is clear, and we need to be ahead of the demand that the next few decades will bring.

The world is demanding more hygienic, less wasteful, and better-managed washrooms.  We believe insights are at the core of delivering that.

We are here to support the facility, hygiene and housekeeping managers of today to be ready for the challenges of tomorrow.  We work together with businesses to create a future-forward road map that supports a modern, clean and cost-efficient washroom, that keeps their customers safe.

david king

 About the author
A specialist in sustainability and smart washroom technologies, David King has been the driving force behind VERTECO Middle East for over 11 years. He is dedicated to helping companies adopt smart and sustainable solutions that also help save money, reduce water waste, and improve operational efficiencies.