The on-duty operations manager of a facility looks up at the screen in front of him. Symbols representing cleaning machines move around the mapped facility. The auto scrubber on the first floor is not performing well; perhaps it needs to be repaired? The scrubber-driers bought a few years ago are guzzling water; maybe an upgrade is in order? The budget for cleaning has been slashed; here is the ideal set of machines.
Vinay Raykar V
These questions and suggestions came not from the manager, but from the fleet management software he was observing. As facilities become increasingly mammoth, budgets still need to be curtailed. Vinay Raykar V, Head- Building Care & Equipment Marketing, Taski Machines for South Asia and Rohit Mishra, DGM – Professional Sales, North & East, explain how fleet management software can help facilities make the most of their cleaning machines.
What and how?
Fleet management software collects a wide range of data related to cleaning operations in the professional cleaning segment. Provided in real time, this accurate information allows for effective monitoring and management of cleaning activities.
Rohit Mishra
Cleaning machines integrated with cleaning machine software such as Karcher’s will capture data about parameters like machine usage, operating hours, maintenance schedules, fuel consumption, location tracking and cleaning performance metrics. This data is obtained through various sources, such as telematics devices installed in machines, sensors and manual inputs from operators.
Taski’s IntelliTrail advanced GPS Box – with data transmission via GSM network – tracks the movement of cleaning machines using a cloud-based web application; no installations on a computer are needed. With the analyses it provides, operations managers can monitor, optimise and control cleaning machines across multiple sites.
Infrastructure needed
To be compatible with fleet management software, a facility needs to have both physical and digital infrastructure in place. It goes without saying that first and foremost, the cleaning machines that are being tracked need to have been supplied by the company that is supplying the software. The facility may also need designated areas for machine storage, charging and maintenance, as specified by the supplier.
Digitally, the facility needs reliable internet connectivity and a robust network infrastructure to support communication between the cleaning machines and the fleet management software. This enables seamless data transfer, remote monitoring and control of the machines. “Karcher India’s fleet management software can be accessed through a user-friendly interface, either via a computer or a mobile device, ensuring convenient and efficient management of the cleaning fleet,” Mishra said.
Explaining how Taski’s system works at a given facility, Raykar said: “No major infrastructure changes are required – neither physical nor digital. The Intellitrail box has to be installed on the machine which needs to be tracked. This makes the installation (and tracking) process very easy.”
Improve machine efficiency
Real-time machine monitoring allows operators and managers to track performance indicators such as operating hours, maintenance requirements and cleaning productivity. This helps ensure timely maintenance and minimises machine downtime.
“Fleet management software enables remote diagnostics and troubleshooting, empowering operators to address potential issues quickly and efficiently”, said Mishra. “Advanced features like intelligent sensors and self-adjusting cleaning settings further optimise a machine’s performance and enable it to adapt to various cleaning scenarios.”
Beyond real-time reporting, software also offers access to historical data and analytics, enabling businesses to analyse machine performance trends over time, and identify areas for improvement. This data-driven approach facilitates proactive decision-making and supports continuous optimisation of cleaning resources. Bottom line: facilities can enhance the efficiency, reliability and lifespan of every cleaning machine in their fleet.
Resource conservation
Water, detergent and fuel are consumables that businesses would like to reduce consumption of, both from the procurement and ESG points of view. Fleet management softwares track the utilisation of these resources; measurement opens up the possibility of control and conservation
Most importantly, they can detect inefficiencies or wastage in resource usage. This information allows businesses to implement corrective measures such as adjusting cleaning settings, optimising routes and training operators on best practices.
Reduce cleaning time
“Fleet management software enables efficient scheduling and route planning by analysing real-time data on machine availability, location and cleaning requirements,” said Raykar. “This ensures that cleaning tasks are assigned to the nearest available machine, reducing travel time between different cleaning areas.”
Reports generated will show the utilisation of each machine, which will help the facility manager redeploy the machine for optimal utilisation. This analysis can also help site managers choose the right machine configuration. For example, if a machine is being used for more than 6-8 hours in a day, it can be replaced with bigger machines, which can clean the entire premises within 2-3 hours. The remaining time can be used for other cleaning activities.
Reduced maintenance
By optimising use, machine data can help reduce the wear and tear of parts. Alerts received when a machine crashes can trigger prompt repairs, preventing further damage.
Battery management systems will indicate battery health, and suggest a charging pattern which can lead to better battery management – since battery replacement is a major expense.
Improved planning
“Taski Intelli Predict allows facility managers to see if the deployed machines are being used as per the plan, and conduct remote checks without having to go to the location of a machine”, offered Raykar. “One can check if one can withdraw machines, swap machines with smaller or bigger ones or add additional machines to sites.”
Fleet management software enables efficient scheduling and route planning by analysing real-time data on machine availability, location and cleaning requirements.
Vinay Raykar V
Ideal machine selection
Karcher’s software uses AI algorithms to recommend the most suitable cleaning machine for specific cleaning requirements. By inputting information such as the type of surface, area size, and desired cleaning outcome, the evaluation process analyses data and generates customised recommendations for the ideal Karcher cleaning machine.
“This innovative approach eliminates the guesswork and uncertainty associated with selecting the right cleaning equipment,” Mishra stated. “It ensures that businesses choose the optimal machine from our extensive range of products, considering factors such as power, water consumption, cleaning capabilities and efficiency.” This enables businesses to make informed decisions, maximise cleaning performance and achieve superior results tailored to their unique cleaning needs.
Advanced features like intelligent sensors and self-adjusting cleaning settings further optimise a machine’s performance and enable it to adapt to various cleaning scenarios.
Rohit Mishra
Reduce pilferage
Geofencing tools integrated into softwares trigger alerts when a machine moves out of a designated area. No false reporting is possible.