Connected Cleaning

Focusing on its digital range for building cleaning under the title of ‘Connected Cleaning’ Karcher Cleaning Systems Pvt Ltd aims to merge two systems onto one platform, providing greater transparency of workflows and machine use. This gives the operator an entirely new information base, which can aid in decision making and help increase the profitability of their business.

The first element of the new platform is Kärcher Fleet: the fleet management system is based on the installation of a mobile communications unit in the cleaning machine. It regularly sends an extensive range of machine data, from localisation to operating times, battery status and maintenance status, to an online customer portal, where a clear graphic representation of this data is provided. Using this information, the facility manager can, for example, increase machine utilisation or reduce down times. There is also the possibility of receiving notifications on a smartphone when unexpected events occur.

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The second element – Kärcher Manage – allows cleaning processes to be recorded with a barcode scanner. This makes it possible to determine the time spent on any type of room (e.g. office, corridor, kitchen, stairwell, toilet) to which specific cleaning activities have been assigned. This is useful both for the final costing of contracts, and for the preparation of new quotes. At the same time, the completion of work is also documented. As an additional option, Kärcher Manage allows the facility manager to conduct quality control of the work using a smartphone app: using a simple colour coding system, the cleanliness of individual rooms can be assessed.

Connected Cleaning is based on the ongoing process of digitalisation and the developments arising from this, such as the Internet of Things or machine-to-machine communication. Dr Friedrich Völker, Head of Digital Products at Kärcher, points out the potential of the new solution: “With Connected Cleaning, we are laying the foundation for utilising future developments in building digitalisation for the efficient execution of cleaning tasks. If, for example, the lift reports the number of people on each floor, or a certain vending machine is used particularly frequently, cleaning can be performed based on need rather than a rigid cleaning plan.”