In recent years, the rapid advancement of technology has transformed various aspects of our lives, including the way we manage our household chores. The emergence of the Internet of Things (IoT), mobile applications, and voice control communication has revolutionized the field of housekeeping, providing numerous benefits and enhancing the efficiency and convenience of managing household tasks.

First and foremost, the IoT has paved the way for interconnected devices and appliances. By connecting various devices to the internet and enabling them to communicate with each other, IoT technology has streamlined housekeeping processes. For instance, IoT-enabled devices such as smart thermostats, lighting systems, and security cameras can be controlled remotely using mobile apps, allowing homeowners to adjust settings, monitor energy consumption, and ensure the safety of their property with ease.

Furthermore, mobile applications have transformed the way we approach housekeeping tasks. With dedicated apps, homeowners can access a wide range of functionalities, from managing cleaning schedules and inventory to controlling appliances and monitoring the status of different systems in the house. These apps provide a centralized platform for efficient organization and real-time monitoring, empowering users to stay on top of their housekeeping responsibilities effortlessly.

In addition to IoT and apps, voice control communication has emerged as a convenient and hands-free method of managing housekeeping tasks. Through voice-activated devices like smart speakers or virtual assistants, users can issue commands, ask questions, and control connected devices simply by speaking. This intuitive and natural form of interaction eliminates the need for physical input, making it ideal for multitasking and ensuring a seamless housekeeping experience.

Understanding a housekeeper’s perspective
Sumanth Shetty, Executive Housekeeper, Sharjah National Hotels suggests that the advent of technology has brought numerous advancements in various industries, and housekeeping is no exception.

With the rise of smartphone applications and voice-controlled devices, the way we communicate and manage housekeeping tasks has undergone a remarkable transformation.

He explores how apps and voice control have revolutionized the housekeeping industry, streamlining communication, enhancing efficiency, and improving the overall guest experience.

• Enhanced communication and coordination

Apps and voice control technology have greatly improved communication within the housekeeping department. Through dedicated applications, housekeeping staff can receive real-time updates on room status, guest requests, and other essential information.

This instant communication enables efficient coordination between team members, allowing them to respond promptly to guest needs and manage their tasks effectively. Moreover, voice-controlled devices offer a hands-free communication option, allowing staff to receive and respond to messages or notifications while performing their duties, eliminating the need for manual interaction with phones or computers.

• Efficiency and productivity

The integration of apps and voice control has significantly enhanced the efficiency and productivity of housekeeping operations. By utilizing apps specifically designed for housekeeping management, tasks such as room assignments, inventory tracking, and maintenance requests can be automated, reducing manual errors and saving time.

Moreover, voice-controlled devices equipped with intelligent virtual assistants can provide instant access to information, allowing staff to quickly retrieve details about guest preferences, room specifications, or service requests. This automation and instant access to information enable housekeeping staff to complete their tasks more efficiently, leading to higher productivity levels and ultimately enhancing the overall guest experience.

• Improved guest experience

Apps and voice control technology have revolutionized the guest experience in the realm of housekeeping. With dedicated applications, guests can request services, report issues, or provide feedback conveniently and in real-time. Whether it's requesting extra towels, reporting a broken fixture, or making special requests, guests can communicate their needs directly through the app, eliminating the need for phone calls or face-to-face interactions. Additionally, voice-controlled devices in guest rooms allow for personalized experiences, as guests can adjust room settings, request information, or even control room amenities through voice commands. These advancements enhance convenience, responsiveness, and customization, thereby ensuring a memorable and satisfying stay for guests.

He goes on to say that apps and voice control technology have undoubtedly revolutionized the housekeeping industry, empowering both staff and guests alike. These advancements have streamlined communication, enhanced efficiency, and improved the overall guest experience. As we look to the future, further integration of AI, machine learning will continue to drive innovation, promising more seamless and personalized housekeeping experiences. With ongoing advancements, the industry is poised to deliver even higher levels of convenience, efficiency, and satisfaction to both housekeeping teams and the guests they serve.

An industry veteran’s perspective

We also spoke to Ron Segura, founder and president of Segura & Associates who brings over 55 years of experience in all segments of the cleaning industry. Ten of those years were spent overseeing the cleaning of over 4.5 million square feet of outsourced services for The Walt Disney Company. During 20 years of domestic and international consulting, Ron has been assisting organizations to perform at maximum efficiency while raising the quality of service. 

“It might seem unusual to mention the professional cleaning industry in an Internet of Things (IoT) discussion. After all, the industry has a reputation for not being very tech-savvy. However, in the past decade, the industry’s use of the IoT— including apps and voice-controlled “smart” devices—has grown exponentially,” says Ron. 

For housekeepers, facility managers, and the cleaning industry, these technologies produce many benefits that can help enhance cleaning effectiveness, worker productivity, and communication while reducing costs. 

Robotic floorcare

Floorcare equipment that cleans and scrubs floors autonomously using smart technology has proven to be a significant benefit of IoT. Studies show autonomous floor machines produce better results, especially when compared with mopping. Meanwhile, eliminating this time-consuming, monotonous, and labor-intensive task permits housekeeping to spend more time performing other cleaning duties. The COVID pandemic highlighted this benefit since many cleaning personnel must clean and disinfect more frequently without extra time added to their schedules. Increasingly, automated floor machines include apps like fleet management software, which can track everything from the floor machine’s location and routes to cleaning days/times and operators.

From floor to finish

Today, smart floor machines are just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. Consider, for example, a multi-tenant office building experiencing an ongoing problem with trash collection on certain days and floors. The trash would overflow, becoming unsightly and causing odors and persistent tenant complaints. An IoT system was installed to transmit data to the facility manager and day porter, giving them a heads-up when trash cans became full so they could be emptied before there was a problem. Taking it a step further, the technology tracked ongoing usage and found certain trash containers filled up faster on Monday and Wednesday, which allowed the situation to be proactively handled by the cleaning team and ended the tenant complaints.

This is only one small example. The IoT can tell cleaners everything from an area’s highest traffic times to when a soap dispenser is empty to whether a meeting room has been cleaned. There are even devices to monitor and report indoor air quality. Add voice control, and cleaning personnel can adjust the lighting or thermostat throughout the facility with a single command. 

App appeal

With today’s apps, housekeeping staff can run more efficiently. Tasks like scheduling, work assignments, cleaning requirements, and inspection results can be sent instantly and in real-time to all stakeholders. It also gives housekeepers more insight into their duties, enabling them to enter data like start and stop times, schedule changes, and task completion.Housekeeping staff can notify maintenance when something needs repair while simultaneously alerting management that the area is off limits. The app also benefits customers, allowing them to create cleaning tickets instantly. For example, suppose clients notice a supply shortage or spill that needs cleaning. They can open the app on their phone and scan a QR code or use voice commands to instantly submit a cleaning request, identifying the location and issue. The cleaning crew receives the cleaning request in real time via their own mobile app, and the request is automatically integrated into their cleaning list.

Smart cleaning today

The smart cleaning of the future relies on data collected by point solutions throughout the workplace. In washrooms, for example, virtually every touchpoint can now be monitored by sensors, from motion detectors at the doors to determine how many people have entered the restroom to sensors that detect how full the waste bins, soap dispensers, and paper towel holders are. This data is captured by a central system and integrated into a dashboard that automatically shows cleaning teams precisely what needs to be cleaned when they start their shift.

Using the IoT, apps, and voice control saves time, labor, and money; allows for a better deployment of labor; increases efficiencies; and improves and monitors quality to ensure safer and healthier facilities, all of which increase customer satisfaction. What’s not to love?

In conclusion, the benefits of IoT, apps, and voice control communication in housekeeping are significant. These technologies have transformed the way we approach housekeeping tasks, offering enhanced convenience, efficiency, and control over our living spaces. As technology continues to advance, the potential for further innovation in housekeeping is vast, promising even more convenience and automation in the future.